[games_access] The AbleGamers Foundation Unveils First Permanent Accessibility Arcade

Tue Oct 2 10:04:57 EDT 2012

Nice to hear the history of it all! You are the GA historical guru, Barrie!
:)

I'd also be interested in hearing more of the details about how the
permanent exhibit works. I tried to do at least a "limited hours"
accessibility arcade at the University of Illinois's gaming library a few
years ago but the budget wasn't there to support staff, volunteers were
hard to come by, and library patrons often needed help to set things up
that the regular staff just weren't trained to do. So that didn't last very
long, unfortunately. So I'm imagining you guys have something much more
sustainable set up!! :)

Michelle

On Tue, Oct 2, 2012 at 9:41 AM, Barrie Ellis <oneswitch at gmail.com> wrote:

> **
> Hi Michelle,
>
> 1970s comes from anecdotal evidence from Barrie Woods in Christchurch, New
> Zealand:
> http://www.ablegamers.com/game-news/video-game-accessibility-1970.html -
> knowing that there were more people like him, and knowing that these places
> tended to have open days to show off equipment to parents/funders/staff.
>
> I know individuals showcasing their own equipment/software would have
> shown their stuff off too in the 1980s and 90s (KYE
> http://youtu.be/gds-QfPTkaM?t=1m26s, Namco possibly, Brilliant Computing,
> PDG, SEMERC etc.). I remember showing off my first hacked Playstation
> switch interface with Destruction Derby in 1996 at a public venue,
> alongside some assistive technology for art.
>
> Personally, my first "accessible arcade" in a non-specialist public arena
> was here: http://www.oneswitch.org.uk/2/ARTICLES/2005cgeUK.htm in 2005. I
> remember it was deafening and felt like spinning plates at time. Great fun
> though.
>
> @Steve - I'm interested in how it all works. Will there be a trained
> member of staff there on hand, or is the set-up self-sufficient to an
> extent?
>
> Barrie
>
>
>
>  *From:* Michelle Hinn <michellehinn at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Tuesday, October 02, 2012 2:09 PM
> *To:* IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List <games_access at igda.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [games_access] The AbleGamers Foundation Unveils First
> Permanent Accessibility Arcade
>
> That's interesting, Barrie, that people were doing accessibility arcades
> back in the 1970s! Was this something that was found more in the UK or in
> other countries as well?
>
> I know we had great fun doing the SIG ones at GDC, Games for Health, and
> Develop in the UK! But those were aimed at developers versus the consumers.
> Nice to hear more about the history of them at centers in the 1970 and to
> read about what AG is doing at libraries, etc today that are aimed more at
> the potential gamers themselves! :)
>
> Michelle
>
> On Tue, Oct 2, 2012 at 6:38 AM, Barrie Ellis <oneswitch at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> **
>> Nice one. Although reading the write-up, I think we always seem to
>> (diplomatically) veer away from promoting games as great anti-social fun
>> too!
>>
>> Re. the first accessibility arcades / show-case of accessible
>> gaming equipment - this probably goes back to the late 1970s at open
>> days in rehabilitation/supported living centres, with tech-heads showing
>> off their adapted Pong machines and early hacked cartridge machines.
>>
>> Anyway, none of that takes away from this push to give people fairer and
>> easier access. All great stuff.
>>
>> Barrie
>>
>>
>>  *From:* Michelle Hinn <michellehinn at gmail.com>
>> *Sent:* Monday, October 01, 2012 9:40 PM
>> *To:* IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List <games_access at igda.org>
>> *Subject:* Re: [games_access] The AbleGamers Foundation Unveils First
>> Permanent Accessibility Arcade
>>
>> Very cool news, guys! Nice to see that there's going to be a permanent
>> display of what so many of us worked on in various iterations since the SIG
>> did this for the first time at GDC 2006! You guys have taken it and run
>> with it! Hope to hear about more of them soon!
>>
>> Michelle
>>
>> On Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 1:39 PM, Steve Spohn <steve at ablegamers.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Greetings all,
>>>
>>> Just a quick note to keep you all abreast of the good news. AGF is
>>> officially launching the first of many permanent Accessibility Arcades
>>> TM. This first installation is in the DC public library next
>>> Wednesday, with more on the way.
>>>
>>>          **
>>>
>>> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Contact: Steve Spohn
>>>
>>> press at ablegamers.org
>>>
>>> (703) 891-9017 ext:102 <%28703%29%20891-9017%20ext%3A102>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> The AbleGamers Foundation Unveils First Permanent Accessibility Arcade
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *Opens The AbleGamers Foundation’s Accessibility Arcade at the
>>> Washington DC Public Library.*
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Harpers Ferry, WV –October 1, 2012– The AbleGamers Foundation<http://click.icptrack.com/icp/relay.php?r=88788807&msgid=1060592&act=UADE&c=369830&destination=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ablegamers.com> is
>>> proud to announce the first permanently stationed AbleGamers’ Accessibility
>>> Arcade at Washington DC public library main MLK Branch. Opening ceremony
>>> will be held on the 10th of October -- national disability month. The
>>> mayor’s office will be on-hand at the milestone occasion to cut the ribbon
>>> for the library's newest display.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> “We have been dreaming about this day ever since the first showing of
>>> the accessibility arcade at a small conference in Boston four years ago,”
>>> said Mark Barlet, President and Founder of the AbleGamers Foundation.
>>> “Today, we are taking the first step forward on a very long and rewarding
>>> road to bring accessible games to everyone across America. Game
>>> accessibility is not an idea, it’s a movement. Together, we can enrich the
>>> lives of those with disabilities by the joy and social fun of gaming to
>>> anyone who wants to join in.”
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> “This is really one of the finest days in the history of the
>>> organization,” said Steve Spohn, Editor-In-Chief of the AbleGamers
>>> Foundation. “This is a tremendous victory for disabled gamers everywhere.
>>> But moreover, it's a victory for everyone who has ever worked with,
>>> contributed to, and especially donated to the foundation.  We would like to
>>> thank each and every one who has helped and will continue to help the
>>> disabled gamer community. ”
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> “Our partnership with the AbleGamers Foundation brings the freedom, fun,
>>> and independent of video gaming to DC residents with disabilities,” said
>>> Venetia Demson, Chief of DC Public Library’s Adaptive Services Division.
>>> “We’re looking forward to welcoming new and experienced gamers with
>>> disabilities of all ages to the library for a unique experience. When
>>> properly used, video games can be an important learning tool for literacy,
>>> spatial reasoning and curriculum support as well as a wonderful social
>>> experience.”
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at the DC public library @
>>> 12 noon, October 10, 2012.* We encourage everyone who is interested in
>>> finding out more information on assistive technology, gamers with
>>> disabilities, and the AbleGamers foundation to attend the event and meet
>>> the AbleGamers crew.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> *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.
>>>
>>>
>>> ###
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> For more information about this topic, the AbleGamers Foundation,
>>> AbleGamers.com, or to schedule an interview call (703) 891-9017 ext:102<%28703%29%20891-9017%20ext%3A102>  or
>>> email press at AbleGamers.com.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Steve Spohn
>>> Editor-In-Chief
>>> The AbleGamers Foundation
>>> AbleGamers.com <http://www.ablegamers.com/> | AbleGamers.org<http://www.ablegamers.org/>
>>>  | Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/ablegamers> | Twitter<http://www.twitter.com/ablegamers>
>>>
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> games_access mailing list
>>> games_access at igda.org
>>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access
>>> The main SIG website page is http://igda-gasig.org
>>>
>>>
>>  ------------------------------
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>>
>>
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>> http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access
>> The main SIG website page is http://igda-gasig.org
>>
>>
>  ------------------------------
>
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>
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