[games_access] Namco - "Human Services" and Hustle-Club

[Barrie Ellis]

Thinking about a sponsor, are people aware of some of the 'welfare' work 
Namco do in Japan?

http://www.namco.co.jp/eg/operations.html - then scroll down to Human 
Services.

http://hustle-club.com - is the Japanese site, and you can translate it into 
pigeon English via www.babelfish.altavista.com

"Namco believes in using the world of play to create a space for elderly and 
the handicapped that removes the feeling of weakness of body or the 
hindrance of a handicap, and is free of any uncomfortable feelings regarding 
their physical limitations. That is the idea behind Namco's proposed 
"Barrier Free Entertainment" concept.
Since 1985, Namco has been developing and marketing communication devices 
for severely handicapped children and adults such as TalkingAid and PasoPal 
Maruchi (Multi). These devices have been designated as covered benefits by 
the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and have helped bring huge 
successes in this field. Many people are using these devices to express 
their thoughts and feelings by speaking on the telephone, holding a 
conversation, or even publishing collections of essays, greatly expanding 
the world around them.
In anticipation of the aging society that is almost upon us, Namco is 
promoting its "Namco Hustle Club Plan," which consists of the marketing of a 
"Rehabilitainment" (rehabilitation + entertainment) machine to be used for 
rehabilitation, but also renders the facility in which the machine is 
installed as an entertainment space.
Through these efforts, Namco is working to create places where the elderly 
and the young are able to cross the generation gap to enjoy the experience 
of play, and make a rich life full of meaning a reality."

Regards

Barrie
www.OneSwitch.org.uk




> Re: games_access Digest, Vol 2, Issue 6

>My initial thoughts are about a "game accessibility" convention for
>researchers, designers, students (with presentations of research and
>round-table conversations) combined with a "accessible games"
>convention, where various designers and students get the chance to display 
>their
>games to the (disabled) public.

>And of course there should be a sponsor, preferably a big name like Sony or 
>EA Games.   >
>Richard
>
>http://www.audiogames.net