1. Accessibility in Video Games
By Diana Rijks

2. What is this?
Exterior devices, minor changes in coding, or additional options for a game that make that game more accessible to people with disabilities

3. Why does it matter? From gameaccessibilityguidelines.com :
Accessibility means avoiding unnecessary barriers that prevent people with a range of impairments from accessing or enjoying your output.
15% of the population are disabled, rising to 20% amongst casual gamers (PopCap). Other conditions that aren’t registered disabilities can also hit barriers. 14% of the adult population have a reading age of below 11 years old (NCES / BIS), 8% of males have red-green colour deficiency (AAO), and many people have temporary impairments such as a broken arm. Many more have situational impairments such as playing in a noisy room or in bright sunlight, and all players have different levels of ability – there’s no ‘typical gamer’.
As well as the numbers making good business sense, there is human benefit. Games are entertainment, culture, socialising, things that mean the difference between existing and living. For profound impairments this goes even further, with games meaning therapy, pain relief, escapism and independence.

4. What does it mean? A lot of people play video games
A lot of people have disabilities
Disabilities affect one’s ability to play video games
Making games more accessible allows people with disabilities to play games with less difficulty

5. Drawbacks? Expensive (controllers/external equipment)
Potentially difficult
Arguments against video games in general

6. Benefits? Increased inclusivity within the gaming community
Lowered stress levels for people with disabilities
Increased sales for game and console developers
More fun times for all

7. Examples? Coding: External devices:
Option to change difficulty levels within a game
Option to customize controls to best fit the player’s needs
Graphics that distinguish between objects based on more than just color
Subtitles
Auto save and manual save features
External devices:

8. How do these games hold up?
Super Mario Brothers
Minecraft
Grand Theft Auto
Pokemon Moon

9. Super Mario Brothers No Save Points Very easy to die
Controls not very friendly
Score:
FAILURE (but it is one of the earliest games for an in-home system so I’ll cut it some slack)

10. Minecraft Variety of difficulty settings
Able to switch between settings within the game
Good customization
Score:
GOOD JOB

11. GTA San Andreas Remappable controls Subtitles
Colorblind-friendly graphics
Score:
Not too bad

12. Easy to access information Can save progress at any time
No time restrictions
Easy to access information
Can save progress at any time
Some customization features
Score:
~Awesome~
(plus, Mimikyu is the greatest)

14. Accessibility in Video Games
Why Bother?
A lot of people play video games
A lot of people have disabilities
Disabilities affect one’s ability to play video games
Making games more accessible allows people with disabilities to play games with less difficulty
Benefits
Increased inclusivity within the gaming community
Lowered stress levels for people with disabilities
Increased sales for game and console developers
More fun times for all
“As well as the numbers making good business sense, there is human benefit. Games are entertainment, culture, socialising, things that mean the difference between existing and living. For profound impairments this goes even further, with games meaning therapy, pain relief, escapism and independence.” – From gameaccessibilityguidelines.com
The concept:
Exterior devices, minor changes in coding, or additional options for a game that make that game more accessible to people with disabilities
Examples:
Option to change difficulty levels within a game
Option to customize controls to best fit the player’s needs
Graphics that distinguish between objects based on more than just color
Subtitles
Auto save and manual save features
Drawbacks
Expensive (controllers/external equipment)
Potentially difficult
Arguments against video games in general
By Diana Rijks

15. Sources http://gameaccessibilityguidelines.com/
people-with-impairments-play-games-despite-difficulties/
e-games/t/disabled-video-games-can-be-lifesaver/
gamers-comprise-20-of-casual-video-games-audience html