Bonocle transforms braille education with a gamified platform, making learning accessible, engaging, and fun for blind students.
Organization’s Background and Achievements
This project is one of the 2024-2025 WISE Prize for Education finalists.
Bonocle’s journey began when its founder Abdelrazek Aly met with a terrible accident and broke his hand, Aly joined a special needs center at his university during his recovery. It was there that he first interacted with the blind community, witnessing their challenges firsthand. This experience inspired Aly and his team to challenge existing solutions and ensure that people with disabilities are fully included in society, with access to the same quality education and opportunities as everyone else.
Since its inception Bonocle has achieved significant milestones:
- Global Reach: Bonocle is now available in the USA, Canada, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE
- Partnerships: Collaborations with NGOs and major distributors
- Recognition: Received the K design Award and Aly was listed in Forbes 30 Under 30
- Educational Impact: Enhancing braille literacy through innovative educational tools
- Inclusive Gaming: Hosted the first inclusive gaming tournament during the FIFA World Cup 2022
These achievements demonstrate Bonocle’s commitment to making braille education accessible, engaging, and inclusive on a global scale.
New Solution: Gamified Braille Learning Platform
Bonocle’s core innovation is its gamified approach to braille education. The platform stands out by making braille learning fun and accessible through inclusive games that can be enjoyed by everyone, not just the visually impaired. Key features include:
- Portable device ensuring braille is always at the user’s fingertips
- Inclusive games incorporating tactile feedback, sounds, motion, and haptics
- Commitment to affordability, making quality education accessible to all
- Open and dynamic platform with a growing library of content
- Diverse use cases beyond basic literacy, including gaming and social interaction
What sets Bonocle apart is its emphasis on inclusion. The platform is designed not only for blind users but also engages their sighted parents, friends, and colleagues. This approach enhances educational experiences and social integration, ensuring that blind individuals can learn and interact inclusively within their communities.
Potential Impact and Prospects
Bonocle has ambitious plans for the future:
- Become a global leader in accessible education within five years
- Keep the platform open and dynamic, allowing continuous contributions and innovations from the blind community and partners
- Expand the library of content and diverse use cases
- Integrate seamlessly into diverse educational environments
- Empower the blind community to develop their own solutions and contribute to the platform
Addressing WISE Prize for Education Challenges
Bonocle addresses the following WISE Prize challenges:
- Artificial Intelligence in Education ☑️
- Teaching of Arabic Language
- Foundational Literacies ☑️
The solution directly addresses these challenges by leveraging technology to enhance braille literacy, focusing on foundational skills through gamification and innovative educational tools.