[games_access] Looking for feedback

[Ian Hamilton]

In the wider world it means option 2 - "The concept focuses on enabling access for people with disabilities, or special needs, or enabling access through the use of assistive technology; however, research and development in accessibility brings benefits to everyone." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility). 
E.g. an accessible hotel room contains features such as a handrail in the shower and lots of floorspace, universal design features that are useful for lots of guests but are included solely because of disability. A website's accessibility policy refers only to the commitments and considerations are made for users with disabilities. And you certainly aren't allowed to park in an accessible parking spot just because you're an inexperienced driver or have an old car.
We're only a small part of a much larger cross-industry effort, so we should really be consistent unless there's a compelling reason not to be.
From: sandra_uhling at web.de
To: games_access at igda.org
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2015 13:48:29 +0100
Subject: Re: [games_access] Looking for feedback


Hi Ian, there are some basic topics to decide: Diversity of the gamers:* gamer without a disability can face barriers to* gamer with disability* Put GAFs also in the other direction for hardcore gamers OrFocus group gamer with a disabilityAs sideeffect better usability Or  .... Von: games_access [mailto:games_access-bounces at igda.org] Im Auftrag von Ian Hamilton
Gesendet: Montag, 23. März 2015 12:12
An: IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List
Betreff: Re: [games_access] Looking for feedback It is reported as being a bit higher again in the UK - 45% of people over state pension age, which varies between 60 and 65, so for over 65s probably more like 50%. That data is actually already included in general population data, it is just balanced out by how relatively uncommon disability is in children (6% of UK under 16s).  But I agree definitely worth mentioning separately, firstly in case you're developing for older audiences, and secondly because I doubt many of the people reading it would be planning on giving up gaming by age 65 themselves! I'd also reference the 2010 Popcap research, which was restricted to casual gaming only but showed clearly enough that amongst that demographic disability prevalence was higher amongst gamers than in the general population. Something else worth mentioning is the additional impairments that don't show up in general prevelance data as they don't come under traditional / self identifying definitions, but still absolutely fall within the social model of disability.. most notably colourblindness, at 8% of males, and difficulty reading, at around 14% of adults (depending on country). Also I'd leave off 'technical' completely, that isn't something that's included under the umbrella of accessibility in other industries or in gaming. The other categories all relate to a condition/attribute of a person interacting with a environmental barrier, but technical doesn't fall under that at all.  The definition should only be about disability. It's worth mentioning the other benefits, but specifically as side-effects. I.e. that considering people with disabilities is also useful for people temporary/situational impairments, and that it often also happens to be good game design that results in a better experience for all players. That's an important difference to saying that accessibility is about all players. Perhaps frame it in terms of barriers? E.g. that accessibility means avoiding unnecessary barriers for people with disabilities, but something that's a barrier for someone with a disability is often still to some degree a barrier for other people too, so the range people who benefit from accessibility is often wider than just people with disabilities. Ian Date: Sun, 22 Mar 2015 10:20:34 -0400
From: eleanor at 7128.com
To: games_access at igda.org
Subject: Re: [games_access] Looking for feedbackSandra, 

You mention Silver Gamers.  According to the US Census, 40% of people over 65 have one or more disabilities.  Since a greater proportion of the general population is now reaching or over 65, AND more people of that age are still playing games they enjoy, it is a necessity for them to have the accommodations that allow them to continue to play games.  I think the disabilities that come with aging should be added to the 10 to 20% who have disabilities as a result of birth, disease, or accident.

On 3/22/2015 6:14 AM, Sandra_Uhling wrote:Hello, here is the first part of the "Game Accessibility Philosophy".https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ecj2o5bOcnJDuouX47V5XHQ-Y0_ryJvxCZGUi0gaf88/edit?usp=sharing Regards,Sandra

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