Omani inventor pioneers inclusive colour learning with sensory technology

Omani inventor Azza Mohammed Al Malki has developed an educational innovation called "Sensory Colours". It is designed for blind and visually impaired people and helps them recognise and understand colours using their other senses. This was reported by Oman News Agency.

"The initial spark came from my belief that creativity is a right for everyone, and that losing sight does not mean losing the ability to imagine or feel colours," said Al Malki. She decided to transform colour from a visual concept into an experience that can be perceived through touch, smell and hearing.

The method is based on linking colours to tactile sensations, smells, sounds and natural associations. Although a blind person does not perceive colour visually, they can form a mental and emotional image of it through sensory experience. Touching a particular texture or smelling a familiar scent helps to establish an associative link with a colour, making it easier to understand and remember.

For the project, Al Malki selected materials that are safe, environmentally friendly and pleasant to the touch. These include natural textures, safe dyes and other elements that allow colours to be distinguished through sensory perception. According to the inventor, each material was chosen to make the perception of each colour clear, comfortable and intuitive.

The method helps not only to remember a colour, but also to visualise it. When a colour is associated with a familiar smell, texture or sound, it is remembered more effectively. Engaging several senses simultaneously promotes more lasting retention of information, as the brain processes data linked to emotions and sensory experiences more effectively.

The method can be used in schools and rehabilitation centres. However, its potential is not limited to learning about colours. The method is suitable for developing sensory skills, improving communication and stimulating creativity in children. It can also be integrated into school lessons, art clubs and art therapy programmes, where it helps participants express themselves and build confidence in their own abilities.

According to Al Malki, one of the main challenges in developing the method was finding materials that were safe, possessed the necessary sensory properties and met educational objectives. Furthermore, the project had to be adapted for people of different ages and with varying degrees of visual impairment.

The inventor also emphasised the importance of raising awareness of sensory learning, as such initiatives remain little known and require public and institutional support. In her view, partnership projects with schools and rehabilitation centres will facilitate the widespread adoption of the methodology.

Looking ahead, Al Malki hopes to integrate "Sensory Colours" with artificial intelligence technologies and smart applications, which will create a new educational experience for blind users. Furthermore, the method can be applied to relief drawing, tactile stories, interactive exhibitions, as well as in music, theatre and other creative practices. In the future, the inventor does not rule out the development of specialised educational programmes and art clubs for blind and visually impaired people.