[games_access] For Immediate Harmonix CEO Donates $10K to theAbleGamers Foundation

Barrie Ellis oneswitch at gmail.com
Mon Apr 25 15:23:14 EDT 2011


Nice one, Steve. Pleasant problem to deal with now - what to spend it all on.


From: Steve Spohn 
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 8:15 PM
To: IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List 
Subject: [games_access] For Immediate Harmonix CEO Donates $10K to theAbleGamers Foundation


Hi all,

 

Great news today:

 

For Immediate Harmonix CEO Donates $10K to the AbleGamers Foundation

Hopes His Charitable Donation Will Inspire Other Industry Leaders to "Do The Same."

Harpers Ferry, WV -April 25, 2011- Alex Rigopulos, co-founder and CEO of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., makers of the smash-hits Rock Band and Dance Central, has personally donated $10,000 to the disabled gaming charity the AbleGamers Foundation. "I believe that finding ways to better accommodate people with disabilities is a vitally important responsibility for the videogame industry. Harmonix is working with the AbleGamers Foundation to learn what we can do in future products to be as inclusive as possible," said Rigopulos. "I hope that my support of the AbleGamers Foundation will inspire others within this industry to do the same."

Since 2004, the AbleGamers Foundation has pushed for greater accessibility for people with disabilities in the digital entertainment space. With 3.5 million hits per month on AbleGamers.com, the largest online disabled gaming community and press coverage from the likes of CNN, MSNBC and NPR, AbleGamers uses these types of donations to fund public events displaying the cutting-edge of accessible technology.

"The gamer with disabilities is a larger market than most game makers even realize, with about 33 million in the US alone," said Mark Barlet, President of the AbleGamers Foundation. "I urge game developers who want to learn more about how to improve the accessibility of their games and support this huge gaming population to start at our site, GameAccessibility.org"

"AbleGamers has a small dedicated staff of volunteers who don't draw a penny from what we do. No one gets paid; we do this because we are passionate about improving the quality of life for gamers with disabilities," continued Barlet. "Every cent from every donation goes directly to supporting out mission. We are only able to attend a quarter of all event invitations sent to us because we simply don't have the funds. I hope Mr. Rigopulos' donation inspires other industry leaders to take notice of how much good a little funding can do."

If you would like to support the AbleGamers Foundation, or learn more about their mission, you can do so at AbleGamers.org

About The AbleGamers Foundation

The AbleGamers Foundation is a 501(c) (3) public charity that runs AbleGamers.com, which provides news and reviews on the accessibility of mainstream video game titles, as well as consultation on assistive technology. As an alternative to Serious Gaming, mainstream video games supply many disabled individuals and veterans with rehabilitation as well as social stimulation in situations where they may be otherwise shut out of society's idea of normal everyday life.

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For more information about this topic, the AbleGamers foundation, AbleGamers.com, donating, or to schedule an interview with Mark Barlet, President of The AbleGamers Foundation, call (703) 891-9017 ext:102 or email Steve Spohn at press at AbleGamers.com

 

 

Steve Spohn

Editor-In-Chief

The AbleGamers Foundation

 

www.ablegamers.com

www.ablegamers.org

 

Find me on Skype!  Username: Steve_Spohn

 



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