Image-driven Sudoku app helps children with learning disabilities
Inspired by a handicapped teenage client, a lawyer has created a sudoku app and is looking to expand its reach
Senior barrister Jeevan Hingorani is a problem solver. At work, he often seeks solutions for clients with medical negligence issues, many involving children with brain disorders such as cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis, or who suffer spinal cord injuries. For leisure, one of his favourite pursuits is solving sudoku puzzles, and the 64-year-old has even mastered strategies such as 3D Medusa to solve the most difficult of these number games.
Both aspects of Hingorani's life came together two years ago when he began seeking ways to entertain and educate young people with movement disabilities, inspired by 15-year-old Catrin Anderson, a client with cerebral palsy.
The barrister estimates there are between 30 and 40 million people worldwide, adults and children, stricken with some kind of brain dysfunction that hinders movement.
"They can hear and understand what is going on, they are cognitive, but communication is difficult for them," he says. "Because of their limited mobility, many depend on devices to help them with simple communication or be able to do simple tasks on their own."
Surely there could some fun activity that could even handicapped youngsters could enjoy and feel stimulated, he thought.
Because he deals with people with disabilities, his first thought was, "I'm sure there aren't enough [games] for people with brain problems."
He adds: "Society tends to forget about these people. It's almost embarrassing to look at someone with a disability.