We all complain about games a lot, but it's important to remember why we love them in the first place: they allow us to do things we can't do in the real-world; to escape to places that we'd never be able to travel to. For some of the most disadvantaged people, though – the people who are arguably most desiring of the opportunity to get away from real-life – they're rendered unplayable, simply because we don't give accessibility the time of day.
That's changing, and panels like the one embedded above are just the tip of the iceberg. At PSX 2016 this weekend, Sony had sign language experts on stage for all of its panels, and it also put on a panel talking about what more could be done to make games more accessible to people of all walks of life. It's a reminder that, for as rapidly as this industry is evolving, it's still not doing enough to embrace everyone. And hopefully discussions like this will make us all more aware of that fact.
[source youtube.com]
Comments 11
Honestly I don't remeber any other time that a company talked about gamers with disabilities. This is great of them and as you already said, those people are the ones that need to get away more often.
@Melucine Really nice touch from Shawn Layden introducing the panel, too.
As some who is disabled myself, I understand the freedom and escapism that gaming can offer. Fortunately my disability doesn't impact on my ability to access and interact with the majority of games. Kinect and (I would imagine) some VR games though are certainly not within my mobility range.
Its great to see that Sony are considering all walks of life and what a console can offer those with disability. I am fortunate that I have full use of hands so that accessing these games is not so much of an issue.
VR though could be a massive thing for disabled people. Not just from a gaming perspective but from a social aspect too. Its not easy to travel to areas - certainly not without planning and support. You also get treated very differently too - not always positively. Being able to be instantly transported somewhere opens up a world of possibility that is not always accessible. From a social aspect too, chances are that people will not treat you any differently either as people won't see a 'cripple' (I am not being non-PC but I know that a lot of able bodied see us this way - whether they openly say it or not!)
I really can't emphasize enough how glad I am to see Sony openly discussing stuff like this. I've got a friend that suffers from a rare eye condition affecting their central vision. It manifested when they were in their late teens/early 20s and as a huge gaming fan it really hit him hard, as all of a sudden he really struggled to read on-screen prompts, make out bits of the UI and make out smaller details, etc. A few games manage to get around this but I know there are a lot he just can't play without help, and even more that he just can't play at all. It's gutting when you can see how disappointed he gets talking about it. Hopefully this approach from Sony will help developers consider this kind of thing with a greater level of understanding.
The first thing would be to treat and talk to people who have a disability the same as everyone else,eradicate the stigma surrounding them.
There are 2 kinds of Disability physical and mental .
The V.R. idea by the Gentleman BAMozzy is an excellent idea for people in wheelchairs.
Imagine if you will going about your daily routine in a wheelchair you should borrow 1 for a day I swear you will never say how unfair life is again.
As for mental disability it is known colours stimulate the mind this could teach children with mental disability.
I am up for the idea of helping people with difficultys enjoy something we take for granted.
Sony this is an Excellent idea you have nothing to lose but so much to gain.
Thank you Push Square for making us aware.
It's nice that games can be played by more people.
I used the accessibility feature in Uncharted 4 that allows you to just hold down a button rather than repeatedly hitting it to open a door or turn a wheel. I do not have a physical impairment but I really enjoyed that feature because it is less wear and tear on my controller.
Accessible gaming is good for everyone, as having minor colour blindness (cp4) some of these options benefit me. Unbelievably COD has a bunch of accessibility options and is loads above the curve in that regard.
I've always thought about gaming if you only had one hand or arm. How could that work? Is there an option available?
@themcnoisy I used to have a friend at school who could only really hold the controller with one hand, but he learned to play FIFA. It was incredible how he played it, but I'm ashamed to admit I never really considered at the time that companies should be making a different type of controller to suit his needs.
@BAMozzy I too have a disability, mine too affects my mobility. I had a spinal injury and below knee amputation. So to be taken away from reality for that brief moment does so much for me. I'm lucky enough to be a dad, a full time single dad too, but once they are in bed my "social life" revolves around gaming. I do use the word "cripple" though, I thought it was like the "N" word and that only us disabled could say it lol
@get2sammyb I watched this panel live and really learned a lot about different aspects of how gaming as a community is working towards accessibility for all, not just the few. It was a really educating and, I thought, enjoyable segment. Thanks for posting this on your site, it's good to see a site as yours acknowledging this subject. Thank you Sammy, and thanks to the team. This is just one of many reasons you're my go to Sites for all things PlayStation
@get2sammyb https://www.amazon.co.uk/TGC-%C2%AE-PS4-Handed-Controller/dp/B00V8QKUN2
There's a one handed controller available here. Pretty cool actually.
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