American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults
Future Reflections Special Issue on Technology RECREATION
From the Editor: This article is taken from a page on the website of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/informational-publications/video-gaming-accessibility/. The site also lists videos and articles that pertain to blind gaming and gamers.
Playing video games can boost creativity, improve problem-solving skills, and cultivate teamwork. People with disabilities, however, have limited opportunities to enjoy video games: those with visual challenges may not be able to participate in games that are rich in graphics, and those with mobility challenges may not be able to use a standard game controller.
Still, many resources are available for gamers with disabilities. Individuals and organizations have taken up the challenge of adapting or modifying controllers for people with disabilities. Computer programmers have developed audio games (or audio adaptations of games) that can be played by people who are blind or visually impaired. In addition, there are video game experts who publish accessibility reviews of new games.
Listed here are some of those resources. This list is not comprehensive. Articles in the bibliography are available through the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled Information Services Section. Please email [email protected] for more information.
Features product reviews, articles, videos, and links to other resources for people with an interest in accessible gaming. Posts accessibility reviews of games before they are released to the public. www.abilitypowered.com
Modifies and adapts controllers for gamers with disabilities and raises awareness of the importance of accessibility within the gaming community. Publishes articles on trends in accessible gaming and presents at gaming conferences. A nonprofit organization that does not charge for its services. www.ablegamers.org
Provides standards from the AbleGamers Foundation for making games accessible to people with visual, physical, auditory, and cognitive disabilities. https://accessible.games
Publishes accessibility reviews of iOS applications, including more than four hundred games, submitted by Apple users who are blind or visually impaired. www.applevis.com
Lists games that are accessible to people with visual impairments. https://audiogames.net
Modifies Xbox controllers so they can be used with one hand. www.benheck.com/single-handed-controllers
Shares nearly forty games for people with visual disabilities, developed by a retired Australian computer programmer who’s been creating accessible games since 2004. https://blindgamers.com
Reviews the accessibility of games for people with visual disabilities. Offers sound demonstrations of games and links to gaming resources for people with disabilities. www.brandoncole.net
Modifies game controllers to fit the unique needs of people with physical disabilities. http://thecontrollerproject.com
Offers help with controls, mechanics, or just general discussion for gamers with disabilities. www.reddit.com/r/disabledgamers
Reviews games for their accessibility. https://disabledgame.blogspot.com
Reviews the accessibility of new video and computer games for users with specific disabilities. Informs game developers about the importance of making their games accessible. http://game-accessibility.com
Offers examples and advice on how to structure video games for people with disabilities. Developed by gaming studios and academics. www.gameaccessibilityguidelines.com
Adapts PlayStation and Xbox game controllers and switches for people with severe disabilities who cannot operate a standard handheld device. www.rjcooper.com
Reviews games and game controllers for their accessibility. Published by a woman with muscular dystrophy. http://geekygimp.com/about
Designs and sells Windows-based computer games for people with visual disabilities. Offers some games for free. www.gmagames.com
Lists games for people with mobility and learning disabilities, including games specifically for use with the EyeGaze adaptive technology. www.helpkidzlearn.com
Helps studios avoid excluding gamers with disabilities. Author collaborated with NLS to add and expand on resources in this publication. www.ian-hamilton.com
Reviews video games on YouTube for people with visual impairments. Provides hardware reviews, tutorials on how to use assistive technology, and product demos. www.youtube.com/user/IllegallySighted/videos
Brings together developers with an interest in game accessibility, acts as a resource for them, and educates and collaborates with them to make more video games accessible. https://igda-gasig.org
Offers ideas on ways to use adaptive switches to make gaming consoles more accessible. www.oneswitch.org.uk
Lists and reviews iOS, PC, and online games for people with visual impairments. www.pcsgames.net
Reviews and rates the accessibility of games for people with visual disabilities and mobility impairments. www.7128.com
Reviews the accessibility of video games for people with visual disabilities as part of a fellowship from the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. www.sightlesskombat.com
Audio engineer advises people who want to add audio to their games to make them accessible. http://smashclay.com
Matches players with disabilities with adaptive gaming consoles. www.specialeffect.org.uk
Produces software that allows users—including those with limited functions in their extremities—to convert their game controllers into fully compatible game consoles without violating the warranty of the original controller. www.consoletuner.com/products/titan-one
Volunteer-operated organization modifies devices, including video game controllers, to meet the specific needs of military service members with disabilities. www.warfighterengaged.org