‘Circle’ is a collaborative digital game platform. Today, over 5.5 million children in the United States have a physical or cognitive disability that results in at least some difficulty with activities including play. While play has long been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child, disabled children often lose out on the benefits of playing with their parents and caregivers, and in general are less able to express themselves and make meaningful connections with them. This project draws on the expertise of three different colleges (the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Engineering, and the College of Nursing) to create a collaborative digital game platform that provides disabled children the opportunity to connect with their parents, friends and families using human-centered technology and touch. Our project is designed to engage the public with positive cultural and social impact.

Collaborators:

Prof. Kyoung Lee Swearingen, Department of Design, Advanced Computing Center for Arts and Design, College of Arts and Sciences, The Ohio State University

Prof. Scott Swearingen, Department of Design, Advanced Computing Center for Arts and Design, College of Arts and Sciences, The Ohio State University

Dr. Susan Thrane, College of Nursing, The Ohio State University

Dr. Asimina Kiourti, , Wearables research at ESL, College of Engineering, The Ohio State University