AbleGamers: Using the Power of Video Games to Combat Social Isolation

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the adverse effects of social isolation, including depression, poor sleep quality, impaired executive function, accelerated cognitive decline, poor cardiovascular function, and impaired immunity at every stage of life. Unfortunately, social isolation has been an ongoing epidemic prior to the pandemic for many people with disabilities, which is why AbleGamers, a nonprofit organization, has spent the last 16 years advocating for inclusion across the gaming industry.

Combating social isolation

To promote inclusion and accessibility, AbleGamers provides training and consultation to production studios to remove barriers that people with disabilities experience, and creates opportunities for individuals with disabilities to fully participate in the gaming community; with impressive results. According to the AbleGamers Impact page, since their founding, AbleGamers has: 

• Helped over 3,500 persons with disabilities through peer counseling and assistance with hardware and software
• Engineered 49 custom equipment solutions for persons with disabilities 
• Trained 114 developers to make accessible games and distributed over 2,000 decks of APX Cards (Accessible Player Experiences)
• Connected 328 players with disabilities to the industry since 2018

What is particularly impressive about that list of accomplishments is the development of the APX (Accessible Player Experience). According to the AbleGamers landing page for APX, through the development of the APX, the organization has identified 12 design patterns that ensure a player has the ability to modify their experience to their unique needs. 

For example, players with cognitive disabilities may need to reduce the number of controls to create a more memorable interface, while players with upper limb disabilities may need to map several actions to a single action to complete the sequence. This is a design problem in which players cannot successfully complete a sequence of actions required to proceed further in the game. According to APX's "Do More With Less" Design Pattern, designers should allow players to reduce the number of actions required so they can successfully progress. Providing the user this adaptability and flexibility is also found in other types of accommodation and accessibility best practices. 

Accessibility in the gaming industry

Over the past decade, the gaming industry has undergone a positive transformation that promotes inclusivity — success that may not have been achieved without organizations such as AbleGamers. AbleGamers has identified 5 pillars to combat social isolation through gaming: 

1. Peer Counseling: Gamers are matched with a peer counselor and have individualized sessions to discuss their accessibility hurdles, and receive resources and suggestions for joining a community with millions of players worldwide. Counselors determine the necessity of personalized adaptive technology, and if cost-prohibitive, may consider funding their needs through donations. They also serve as a source of social support as they enter the world of gaming.
2. Engineering Research: AbleGamers' engineers collaborate with peer counselors to create new physical solutions if none exist. They have 3D printers and laser C&C cutters and work in a state-of-the-art makers space to create innovative solutions for people who are unable to participate in gaming due to their disabilities.
3. Community & Inclusion: AbleGamers works to ensure individuals with disabilities are included in the gaming community by working with players, companies, conventions, and events with the goal of breaking stereotypes, while demonstrating the power of connection, inclusion, and accessibility. They also stream on Twitch where players with and without disabilities can interact with one another.
4. User Research: The AbleGamers' user research team works on the digital side of accessibility to provide support for all people with disabilities. They research and document current options for players, record where barriers still exist and work to create a more accessible world through having players share their experiences with video game developers.
5. Professional Development: Software modifications are necessary to make some video games fully accessible, which is why AbleGamers works closely with developers to educate them about the needs of all players. Read more about APX Design Patterns. Developers that want to go beyond the APX Design patterns, and create the most inviting experience for individuals with disabilities, can partake in a 2-day training program to become a certified APX practitioner.

Get Involved

Gamers

For players with disabilities that need help gaming, visit AbleGamers. Individuals with disabilities that want to make games accessible can work alongside game developers by joining the Player Panels.

Developers

To learn how to make games that are more accessible or to receive input from players with disabilities on your designs, visit Accessible.Games.

How You Can Help

If you are interested in helping AbleGamers continue their important work removing accessibility barriers to the gaming industry to decrease social isolation and create a more inclusive world, visit AbleGames donation page.