The Design and Development of Leather Handicrafts to Support Vocational Skills for Visually Impaired of the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand under the Royal Patronage of H.M. the Queen

Abstract

This research has the following objectives:1) To design and develop a set of leathering handicraft tools for visually impairs by limitations and safety concerns associated with tool usage.2) To design and develop leather product styles and find production processes that are suitable for the potential of the visually impaired and respond to consumers requirement.

The research adopts an experimental methodology with the following proceduralsteps:1) A comprehensive review of relevant information to formulate design specifications.2) The design and development of a toolset and product models, followed by experimental testing involving five congenitally blind individuals, and a survey to ascertain the preferences of 305 consumers.

The research findings are summarized as follows:1) Design and development of leather handicraft tools for the visually impaired in solving the important limitations of the visually impaired is designing a device that supports the perception of space by visually impaired people by touch. Then the perception of space is clear, it will bring about safety in the workplace. Resulting of the design is the tools used for cutting, drilling, hammering, sewing, and tables that has been tested by visually impaired and found to be effective and safe. 2) Design and development of leather product styles and production processes appropriate to the potential of the person. The important is that simple template. It is best to use separate components. The assembly should be close to the edge of the work and show the seam lines. The product style responds to consumer needs in terms of genuine leather materials (77.38 %), natural leather colors (80 %), assembly of parts showing stitching lines (74.43 %), and having symbols or letters indicates that visually impaired people are producers (88.85 %).