Making Board Games Accessible: APU Tech Expert Champions Inclusive Innovation

A world where blindness does not stop learners from stretching their cerebral muscles using B-Goolee, a new sensor-based board game tested during the recent Special Science Day at Pusat Sains Negara with the guidance of an APU visionary tech specialist.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shahrinaz Ismail explaining on the sensor-based boardgame B-Goolee to Dr. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the wife of the Malaysian Prime Minister, at the Special Science Day on 25th June 2024. [Photo by BERNAMA]

Consider a board game that tests your brain but is particularly created for persons with visual impairments.

That is the brilliant invention of Goolee Sdn. Bhd., a Malaysian social enterprise, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shahrinaz Ismail from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation’s (APU) School of Technology (SoT) is at the forefront of making it a reality.

As the Technical Advisor to Goolee, she lent her expertise to develop B-Goolee, a sensor-based board game that brings the thrill of strategic thinking to players with blindness and visual impairments.

This is not some theoretical concept; it is a tangible innovation that was put to the test at the recent Special Science Day at Pusat Sains Negara.

The sensor-based B-Goolee was also tested by Mr Wong Yoon Loong, the Executive Director of National Council for the Blind, Malaysia (NCBM) and Mr Norihan Ismail, a blind chess player who is completing his PhD at Universiti Malaya (UM).

The journey to B-Goolee began with a passion for education. Goolee’s Founder, Dr. Kamarulzzaman Ahmad had been using a physical board game for training since 1995.

The idea evolved into a mobile app called AppsGoolee in 2018, but it was not accessible to everyone. That is where Dr. Shahrinaz stepped in.

She worked closely with Managing Director Hayatul Nabihah Khairul Anwar to secure funding from Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia in 2023 to develop the prototype.

Recognising the gap, Dr. Shahrinaz rolled up her sleeves. Her nine years of experience in IT projects and 16 years as an academic came together perfectly.

She devised a testing plan, gathered data from players of all ages, and ensured the testing environment was inclusive.

The Founder of Goolee, Dr. Zieman, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Shahrinaz explaining the concept of the game for social inclusivity to Dr. Wan Azizah.

This was not just about creating a game; it was about empowering people with visual impairments to participate in the fun of strategic board games.

The Special Science Day was a pivotal moment. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive where blind children, slow learners, and children with other disabilities all enjoyed the challenge of B-Goolee.

B-Goolee’s journey does not stop here; rather, it begins. As it progresses through the prototype stage, it is scheduled to enter full production by the end of the year.

B-Goolee is not only for persons with impairments; it is also intended to encourage visually impaired players to enjoy the challenging game with their literate friends, and it supports up to four players for four-colored game component levels.

The future holds promise for B-Goolee to integrate Internet of Things (IoT) technology, allowing for even more interactive gameplay.

Dr. Shahrinaz’s dedication extends beyond the innovation itself. The insights she gained will be shared with future generations at APU.

Case studies based on the B-Goolee project will ensure students graduate with not just theoretical knowledge, but also real-world experience in social innovation.

B-Goolee is a testament to the power of collaboration. It is a story of a social enterprise making a difference, a university professor putting knowledge into action, and a community coming together to create a more inclusive world. And that is a story worth celebrating!