When I was playing cards with my friend and some of their family members, one of my other friends asked me where I found accessible playing cards for low vision and blind players and if I had to buy or DIY accessible cards so that we all could play different games. Even though I can see the colors of playing cards and sort of make out the numbers, I can’t see the suits and tried out a few accessible playing cards sets over the years to make cards easier to see, in addition to modifying decks for nonvisual access. Here is a list of options for how to make playing cards accessible or make playing cards easier to see for visual impairment, including options for physical cards and digital cards.
Choosing high-contrast cards with clear images
It’s difficult for anyone to read faded cards, but for some people with low vision, faded cards can appear to be practically invisible and hard to read. If possible, use cards with bright colors or clear images that are easy to distinguish from each other. Dark text/colors on a light background or vice versa are great for people with low vision and easy to read compared to light-colored text on a light background.
One of the strategies I have encountered is using color coding for suits, which can be purchased or customized. Some strategies for choosing color schemes for playing cards can include:
- Converting shades of red to magenta, which can be helpful for colorblindness
- Using triadic color schemes for three colors, plus black for a fourth suit
- Using a square color scheme for four colors, which provide even more contrasting colors
- Circling or outlining symbols or labels in a preferred color, similar to word bubbling or tracing.
- Adding a black outline to colors/symbols on a white card to improve contrast, or a white outline to dark-colored backgrounds
Lighting can play a significant role in how colors are perceived, so I recommend testing color schemes in different lighting conditions when possible and using colorblindness and contrast testing tools to examine how colors are perceived. Tools like inverted color schemes may also be useful for improving the contrast of cards, but this can make it more challenging to distinguish similar colors.
Related links
- High Contrast and Low Vision
- Highlighting Information With Low Vision
- How To Use Invert Colors With Low Vision
Making playing cards easier to read
Some individuals may notice that playing cards can be harder to read due to environmental factors or how the card table is set up. Some strategies that can make cards easier to see include:
- Playing on a solid-colored surface and avoiding patterned tablecloths or visually complex surfaces
- Adjusting the lighting in the room or adding additional surface lighting like a book light or lamp
- Placing a coaster or other contrasting surface underneath the card deck so it is easier to locate
- Using a mat or other surface for resting cards and making them easier to see against a table. This can also help to absorb glare from overhead lighting
When I was playing cards with my friend’s family, I found it easier to place cards on a blue placemat instead of directly on the white table, since the white cards blended into the white table and were challenging to see.
Related links
Add text labels instead of just symbols
One of my friends has trouble with icons and symbols as well as color perception, so they prefer to add text labels to cards so they can read them more easily. This is helpful for similar looking cards such as king, queen, and jack, as well as writing out suits such as diamonds or spades.
Some individuals may find it easier to write a single letter such as K or Q, or writing H, D, C, S for each suit instead of writing out entire words, but my friend personally preferred writing out entire words. This can be done by writing directly on the cards, printing out labels or using stickers, or creating braille labels and placing them in a specific location.
Buy or DIY a card holder to help with positioning
I noticed that I was having trouble holding cards at an angle that I could read them without having everyone else at the table read them too, so I found a DIY card holder online that could be used to hold cards in a consistent location/position and make them easier to read and grab when needed. The card holder I used was made of pool noodles, which provide a high contrast and lightweight option, but other options can include slanted stands that rest on the table and other hands-free options. These are also helpful when using magnification aids like a magnifying glass or bioptic.
Adding braille to playing cards: DIY option
While braille card decks can be purchased online, they may be hard to find or not available with specific color configurations. Teaching Students With Visual Impairments has a guide on their website for adding braille labels to standard decks of playing cards as well as Uno cards, which I have linked below. Braille Uno cards that also have large print labels can be purchased online as well.
Related links
- Transcribe Playing Cards — Teaching Students With Visual impairments
- Free Braille Art and Tactile Image Libraries: World Braille Day 2024
Add texture to cards
Beyond braille, adding tactile labels or textured labels to cards can be a helpful strategy for dual media users or people with low vision because it provides an additional identifier for reading playing cards. Some options that my friends and I have used include:
- Adding stick-on sequins to cards, which can be used for identifying specific suits or used in addition to braille
- Purchasing playing cards that are printed on different textured paper for each suit or each color
- Placing textured tape on the card, making sure that the tape is not visible to other players who could guess what the card is
One of my friends would add stickers to the edge of their cards, which had a slight raised edge so that they could both feel and visually identify the shapes.
Buying large print playing cards for low vision
My own personal card deck is a large print black and red deck that has size 72 pt font for numbers and letters, along with a single large icon for each suit. These can be purchased online or at low vision specialty stores, and are available with both white backgrounds and dark backgrounds depending on an individual’s contrast preferences. My card deck is regulation size, measuring 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, though there are also larger card decks available that can accommodate even bigger font sizes.
Before looking at oversized cards, I recommend evaluating whether the larger print will actually be easier to see— having “too large” print can make it more challenging to fit something within the field of view, and other options such as textured/braille, color-coding, or using a magnification aid may be preferable for accessing playing cards with low vision.
Related links
- A to Z of Assistive Technology for Reading Digital Text
- Disability Accommodations For Fluctuating Eyesight
Downloading digital playing cards for modification
There are several free resources for downloading regulation playing cards online, which can be used to modify card colors or print on colored/textured paper. For individuals who prefer printed/physical cards, there are also options for ordering custom cards online in a variety of sizes for different games.
I have also used online manipulative tools that display high-contrast digital playing cards in a full-screen view, which can be helpful for classroom activities. The Random.org generator is useful for blind/nonvisual students because it has an option for displaying the card name only. For low vision students, I will usually use the random card generator to pick a card, and then open a digital graphic of the corresponding card from a folder that has been adapted for the student’s visual needs.
More tips for finding accessible playing cards with low vision
- Need a random card and don’t have a deck within reach? Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa can be used to generate a random card— just say “give me a random card.” It can also be used to roll dice, which I share more about in Accessible Dice For Low Vision
- Many of my friends will bring their own card deck when going to an event, or prefer to play with a “team” or partner so that they can read the cards. I have also used visual assistance tools to read cards with my phone— learn more in All About Visual Assistance Apps For Visually Impaired
- Want to play accessible card games online? One popular option is RS Games: Free Online Accessible Games For The Visually Impaired, though I talk more about accessible games in Accessible Puzzle Game Apps For Low Vision
Published August 30, 2019. Updated February 2025