Euchre Playing Cards for the Blind
Donation protected
Goal: To enrich the lives of the blind by providing Free EUCHRE CARDS FOR THE BLIND AND VISUALLY IMPAIRED to many blind individuals and groups who serve them.
All contributions will be used to pay the costs of making and distributing Euchre Cards for the Blind.
500 or more decks of Euchre Cards for the Blind will be produced and distributed free of charge.
STORY: Recently a lady who had lost her vision was going to a counselor at a center for the blind. When the counselor ask her what she missed most from the days when she could see, she responded that she really missed playing cards (specifically euchre) with her friends. The counselor had just heard about euchre cards which worked for the blind and explained this to his client. She was brought to tears when she tried the cards which she easily was able to use. She is now back at the card table. The euchre deck was invented by William Blauvelt 7 years ago when his father lost the last of his vision. William is now working on a unique project to help blind and visually impaired individuals enjoy recreational time through playing cards. Many recall euchre from their military or college days. Euchre is very popularin several countries, and particularly in the Midwest, USA and in the Armed Forces. William's father, Richard, loved playing card games, especially Eurhre. He is very sharp at 91 and stopped playing cards 7-8 years ago due to blindness. William is also legally blind due to a heredity eye disease (retinitis pigmentosa) and also enjoys playing bridge, euchre, and other card games. After a few years of tinkering, we have developed euchre cards which work well with a system of small notches on the edges. Richard Blauvelt and other older card players have easily learned to use the euchre cards and now play regularly.
The notch system on the cards is easily mastered in 10-15 minutes. Euchre is a card game which uses a hand of 5 cards. The small number of cards allows a visually impaired individual to determine which card to play fast enough to enjoyably participate in a game. A euchre game goes quickly and may be repeated several times. “KEEP IT SIMPLE” IS THE MAIN IDEA IN THE NOTCH SYSTEM. The primary goal of this project is to allow visually impaired individuals to relax and have fun. The more simple the system, the easier and more relaxing it is to play. Euchre cards have been donated to Bosma Enterprises, a nonprofit center for the blind in Indianapolis. The director of Bosma is enthusiastic about the cards and encouraged William Blauvelt to make the cards available to blind individuals on a wide scale. BRAILLE ALTERNATIVE Some blind individuals are able to use playing cards marked with braille dots. Braille cards have been used for many years, but have their limitations. Braille cards don’t work for many blind individuals, especially seniors. Braille is difficult for older individuals to learn and many have difficulty feeling Braille dots due to neuropathy in their finger tips. 82% of the individuals who are totally or legally blind are over 50 years of age. The immediate goal of this project is to produce several hundred decks (500+) of cards to be given to visually impaired individuals and organizations who serve the blind community. Euchre decks for the blind will also be sold online to help finance the project. We would like to work with agencies, seniors groups, and disabled veterans to provide much needed recreation through a simple card game. So far, the time, effort, and materials to get the project started have been donated. We are raising funds through GoFundMe.com to do a large distribution of the decks of cards. We hope that by publicizing the specialized euchre cards we might encourage individuals, businesses, or other groups to donate to this project or purchase cards to assist the blind and visually impaired. Cards may be purchased at; www.etsy.com/shop/CardsfortheBlind
-Why are we doing this? First, fun, joy and recreation go a long way in lifting the spirits of those who face the challenges of blindness. Blind individuals face many restrictions and limitations which reduce their activities and personal interactions. A simple card game can provide a little joy, the fun of competition, and social interaction. Euchre Cards for the Blind are dedicated to Richard Blauvelt who taught his family so much including, love of family, how to work hard, and a love for relaxing with a card game. After observing the enjoyment which the cards brought to Richard and others, the idea of helping others seemed to out weigh the commercial side of distributing the cards. Spiritual roots and a sense of altruism have prompted us to set aside entrepernerial thoughts and look for ways to provide enjoyment to the blind and visually impaired.
- We are currently working on a card game for blind children with the help of my grandchildren. I have been personally moved by the joy whichour euchre cards have brought to others and feel called to pass it on.
Fun and recreation is lacking for many blind individuals. Specially designed euchre cards (alternative to Braille) meet this need. Thank you for your consideration.
All contributions will be used to pay the costs of making and distributing Euchre Cards for the Blind.500 or more decks of Euchre Cards for the Blind will be produced and distributed free of charge.
STORY: Recently a lady who had lost her vision was going to a counselor at a center for the blind. When the counselor ask her what she missed most from the days when she could see, she responded that she really missed playing cards (specifically euchre) with her friends. The counselor had just heard about euchre cards which worked for the blind and explained this to his client. She was brought to tears when she tried the cards which she easily was able to use. She is now back at the card table. The euchre deck was invented by William Blauvelt 7 years ago when his father lost the last of his vision. William is now working on a unique project to help blind and visually impaired individuals enjoy recreational time through playing cards. Many recall euchre from their military or college days. Euchre is very popularin several countries, and particularly in the Midwest, USA and in the Armed Forces. William's father, Richard, loved playing card games, especially Eurhre. He is very sharp at 91 and stopped playing cards 7-8 years ago due to blindness. William is also legally blind due to a heredity eye disease (retinitis pigmentosa) and also enjoys playing bridge, euchre, and other card games. After a few years of tinkering, we have developed euchre cards which work well with a system of small notches on the edges. Richard Blauvelt and other older card players have easily learned to use the euchre cards and now play regularly.
The notch system on the cards is easily mastered in 10-15 minutes. Euchre is a card game which uses a hand of 5 cards. The small number of cards allows a visually impaired individual to determine which card to play fast enough to enjoyably participate in a game. A euchre game goes quickly and may be repeated several times. “KEEP IT SIMPLE” IS THE MAIN IDEA IN THE NOTCH SYSTEM. The primary goal of this project is to allow visually impaired individuals to relax and have fun. The more simple the system, the easier and more relaxing it is to play. Euchre cards have been donated to Bosma Enterprises, a nonprofit center for the blind in Indianapolis. The director of Bosma is enthusiastic about the cards and encouraged William Blauvelt to make the cards available to blind individuals on a wide scale. BRAILLE ALTERNATIVE Some blind individuals are able to use playing cards marked with braille dots. Braille cards have been used for many years, but have their limitations. Braille cards don’t work for many blind individuals, especially seniors. Braille is difficult for older individuals to learn and many have difficulty feeling Braille dots due to neuropathy in their finger tips. 82% of the individuals who are totally or legally blind are over 50 years of age. The immediate goal of this project is to produce several hundred decks (500+) of cards to be given to visually impaired individuals and organizations who serve the blind community. Euchre decks for the blind will also be sold online to help finance the project. We would like to work with agencies, seniors groups, and disabled veterans to provide much needed recreation through a simple card game. So far, the time, effort, and materials to get the project started have been donated. We are raising funds through GoFundMe.com to do a large distribution of the decks of cards. We hope that by publicizing the specialized euchre cards we might encourage individuals, businesses, or other groups to donate to this project or purchase cards to assist the blind and visually impaired. Cards may be purchased at; www.etsy.com/shop/CardsfortheBlind
-Why are we doing this? First, fun, joy and recreation go a long way in lifting the spirits of those who face the challenges of blindness. Blind individuals face many restrictions and limitations which reduce their activities and personal interactions. A simple card game can provide a little joy, the fun of competition, and social interaction. Euchre Cards for the Blind are dedicated to Richard Blauvelt who taught his family so much including, love of family, how to work hard, and a love for relaxing with a card game. After observing the enjoyment which the cards brought to Richard and others, the idea of helping others seemed to out weigh the commercial side of distributing the cards. Spiritual roots and a sense of altruism have prompted us to set aside entrepernerial thoughts and look for ways to provide enjoyment to the blind and visually impaired.
- We are currently working on a card game for blind children with the help of my grandchildren. I have been personally moved by the joy whichour euchre cards have brought to others and feel called to pass it on.
Fun and recreation is lacking for many blind individuals. Specially designed euchre cards (alternative to Braille) meet this need. Thank you for your consideration.
Organizer
William Blauvelt
Organizer
South Bend, IN
