Video Gamers with Disabilities Making Video Games Accessible to All

Steve Spohn has muscular dystrophy. He is also an avid video game player. Using a custom-built prototype video game controller made from a bag of rice, some duct tape and a few Xbox 360 controller parts, he is working in conjunction with a video game accessory manufacturer to help keep himself in the game.

Arizona-based Evil Controllers specializes in modifying video game console controllers with the aim of making them accessible to video game players that have special needs. Steve's prototype X-box controller uses a modular design. That means that every input component, from the buttons to the directional pads to the thumb-sticks can be positioned and repositioned however the user needs. They also have created a set of buttons that employ the use of mobility Steve has by rigging another pair of buttons that are activated when he shrugs his shoulders.

The controller demonstrated in the linked video is a prototype of a model Evil Controller hopes to produce and mass market.

Accessibility in video games is something that I think both game developers-- and more importantly, console manufacturers-- sorely need to improve upon.

The big thing in gaming from Nintendo's WiiMotion, Sony's Playstation Move and Microsoft's Kinect are all about encouraging people to control a video game by getting up and moving around. While it is an exciting and impressive development, it's not very inclusive to the disabled community.

You'd figure that increasing the user base for video game would be a good thing! Larger audience means more money, right? While I understand the economic realities of making and manufacturing different peripherals might incur extra exspense, there are some things that seem like a no-brainer to me. Like closed captioning in all games with speech. A mode for colorblind players (I have seen this in PopCap Games' Peggle series and wondered why more companies don't do this).

What about you, members of the gamer and disability community? What would you like to see?