In this day and age, we should all have equal access. Whether it’s public transport, entertainment, technology, or gaming! The focus this week is on the amazing work carried out so far by the team over at AbleGamers.
When we think of gaming, do you picture your very first console? Perhaps your first PC game? Which ever it is, gaming is one of the fastest growing pastimes across the globe and there are a number of reasons why.
It can provide a great escape, a chance to unwind and let the day melt away. Personally, I love the challenge, it has nothing to do with my work or how I might live my life and its unbelievably trivial but the challenge and the skill needed to defeat the next monster or challenge is what I love. Sadly, even in this day and age, gaming is not accessible for all.
Meet AbleGamers:
AbleGamers have been around nearly 20 years now. It all began when founder, Mark Barlet’s close friend was diagnosed with MS (Multiple Sclerosis). She was a big fan of gaming but found that she could not play because of the MS. It had taken her favourite past time away from her.
Gaming isn’t just an escape, it’s a way we can interact and connect with others and not being able to access this new community is exactly why AbleGamers is here. Barlet created the organisation to ensure that no one with a disability would ever be without answers on how to conquer disabilities and to start or even continue to enjoy the worlds favourite pastime.
Get Into Gaming:
You can game almost anywhere. I’ve seen children play in the back seat on the way to school on a tablet, adults tending their virtual farm on the bus to work and the living room taken over by 4 roaring men playing FIFA when a garden and a ball are outside.
It sparks debates, forms relationships and gives us an escape. The funny thing is, Gaming nearly died out before it even began.
The gaming industry was launched is the 70’s and it was then, an extremely niche market. They had a small-yet-devoted community and very slowly began to grow and this included both able and disabled gamers.
While playing a physical sport is better for your health, it involves skill and stamina, ideally good weather and people to play with. With gaming, it is so much more, ”It’s a great equalizer, because we are in the game” (Mark Barlet). All characters have the same abilities, no matter who you are.
Tell Me More About AbleGamers:
In a nutshell, AbleGamers helps in the design of assistive technology. This means, they work on specific equipment so that everyone can access the gaming world without issue. Being the lead in their industry, gives the power and the pull to be able to confidently reach out to the big named players in the gaming world and push them to focus on their content and how players can access it.
Their focus is on being able to change the gaming culture:
”We want every developer too heed our call and add accessibility to the 9th degree”
– Steve Spohn, Editor in Chief, AbleGamers
By this they mean, they will get in close on the ground level – be able to be present at the start of the process. AbleGamers wanted to be able to teach developers and producers how to make their content accessible for all. This way, when the next big game is on the table ready for production, there will be questions like ”What about accessibility?” coming out naturally.
Interested in following or learning more about AbleGamers? Check them out here.
Whether you are an avid gamer, new to the craft or not a fan. This is certainly one thing we can all agree on and that is how safe and easy is it to use the Uccello Kettle. Know someone who could use a helping hand in the kitchen? Click here now for more.
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