Great news!
For the first time ever, blind and partially sighted people can tackle a crossword entirely on their own by using a computer program and best of all it's free.
The Blind Gamers Crossword Puzzle was designed and coded by Ian Humphreys of Spoonbill Software in Albany, Western Australia.
Ian is a retired computer programmer.
The Blind Gamers Crossword Puzzle
The program displays a vertical list of the crossword clues on the right of the screen. There is another vertical list on the left for your answers to the clues. At the start, each letter in the answer is represented as a dot. As you work through the puzzle solving the clues, you change the dots to letters. When you solve an across clue, you get some letters that help in some of the down clues. There is a crossword grid, but you don't need to see it. The programs can give you all the information that a sighted person gleans from looking at the grid. A partially sighted solver might like to see the grid and can do so at high magnification.
To get the program, just send an email to Ian Humphreys at games@spoonbillsoftware.com.au specifying your full name and country of residence, requesting a copy of 'BG Crossword Puzzle'. In return, you will be sent the link to allow you to download the program.
More puzzles
RNIB also offers giant print puzzle books and the second issue is now on sale. It contains 50 different puzzles, all in at least 24 point font giant print, including the solutions, so it's ideal for puzzle fans who are giant print readers. There's plenty to keep you entertained including crosswords, word searches and Sudoku as well as more unusual puzzles like word pyramid, speed maths and find the phrase. There's also a special feature puzzle to test your skills.
Giant Print puzzle book issue 2 is available from RNIB's online shop or call the Helpline on 0303 123 9999. Price £2.99. Please note, this publication is adapted from Big Print puzzle book issue 7.