Inspired by the need to enhance braille literacy, young Filipino designer Ruark Villegas from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) created an assistive learning kit to promote braille literacy.
The Braillwise Kit was conceptualized following the advice from his mentor to “think outside of the box”. There was an innate urge to design a product to help underrepresented communities.
“On my way home after class, I noticed the braille markings in the college elevator. I realized I did not see these anywhere else,” Villegas shared. “This led me into a rabbit hole of information.”
As he researched, he noted that five million out of 101 million Filipinos suffer from visual impairment – and 1 in 13 are kids.
Brailleworks.com, one of the leading providers of reading materials for those with special needs, revealed while 90 percent of employed people with blindness can read and write braille, 74 percent of the adults with visual impairment remain unemployed.
The kit includes 26 dual-sided 3D-printed braille blocks. One side features embossed letters and corresponding braille, while the other side has a larger braille equivalent with Velcro for tactile feedback. The set also includes a practice Velcro board and a tactile playmat made from recycled PVC foam, designed to make learning braille engaging and effective.
“Improving braille literacy can significantly impact health, wellness, and socio-economic status,” said Villegas, the project leader. “This kit aims to boost braille reading skills, leading to better academic performance and greater independence.”
The project received the Best Thesis Award from the World Design Organization, recognized for its contribution to enhancing quality of life through industrial design.
