A gift more my new, blind nephew?

December 17, 2010 6:48 AM

What gift for my new, 15-year-old blind nephew?

My brother and his wife have become legal guardians of her nephew, a 15-year-old boy who has been blind since birth. I'd like to get him a Christmas gift that will stimulate and interest him.

He's been (we feel) failed somewhat by the special education system where he was raised, so he does not yet read Braille. He's highly sociable and communicative, though, and is making great strides even in the short time he's been with my bro.

He's mainly interested in gadgets and stereo equipment, but his means of interaction with them is off. He likes to sort of treat them like busy boxes, flipping all the switches and pushing all the buttons until they stop working, then calling out to his caregivers to come "fix" them. So I'd kind of like to steer clear of those.

I'm thinking in terms of a musical gift. However, the bro already has (and plays) a piano. Maybe a keyboard of his own? Something that maybe will record and play samples?

I'd appreciate any suggestions along this line or any line that someone with experience of blind teens and their interests might come up with.

posted by bovious to Shopping (9 answers total)

Maybe an iPad? Might be a bit pricey, but if he won't abuse the device it might be really great for him. Here's a review from a blind person.
posted by 6550 at 7:16 AM on December 17, 2010

I am blind blind a d would recommend the ipad or iPod touch. Both support voice over and are great tools for the blind.
posted by moochoo at 7:23 AM on December 17, 2010

If he's the handy and analytical type, buy a Rubik's cube, and attach a different raised object or texture to each different color!

It will be fun to make, and a gift you've put that kind of work into will be treasured, even if it doesn't make a cuber out of him. :)
posted by edguardo at 7:29 AM on December 17, 2010

Thanks, will look into. I'm not even spending that much on my own household, so those might be a bit pricey -- anything in the $50 - $100 range?
posted by bovious at 7:30 AM on December 17, 2010

If you can afford it, a musical instrument and a few lessons to get him started.
posted by mareli at 7:32 AM on December 17, 2010

Does he get books on tape? In the US it's free.

How about a recorder and some instructional CDs, that should be within your budget.
posted by mareli at 8:00 AM on December 17, 2010

What about a kalimba - also known as a thumb piano? They can generally be found within your price range.

If he does express interest in playing music rather than just hearing it, perhaps you and your bro can chip in for a microKorg or another type of synthesizer next birthday/holiday season. A Korg would be a fairly pricey busy box.
posted by Juniper Toast at 8:31 AM on December 17, 2010

What about an experience gift? Is there a museum or arboretum or zoo or something like that near you which has special tours for the blind? A ride on the back of a tandem bicycle? Can you find one of those baseballs which makes a noise and then play catch with him?

Here's a website with a similar question and lots of ideas. One idea that I really liked is a pair of those headphones that have the radio/MP3 player built right into it - often called "sports headphones". Even a person with sight has to reach up and control it without looking, so the controls are designed not to need any sight.

Don't bother looking on Amazon for recommended gifts for blind people. They recommend The Penis Book and a book about cactus. WTF?
posted by CathyG at 9:54 AM on December 17, 2010

Thanks all. My daughter & I are going to make him a Rubik's Cube. We might even mix up the cube prior to putting on the textures, so that when it's solved texture-wise, it will be ready for a sighted person to solve color-wise. A progressive Rubik's Cube! :) That and the Mr. T soundboard should be a hit.
posted by bovious at 11:56 AM on December 18, 2010