Game Accessibility: Universal Design and Access for Gaming (and Interactive Applications)

A growing number of educators are incorporating the use of interactive multimedia applications, including games, in learning settings. More educators are aware of the principles of Universal Design for Learning, developed by the great people at CAST.

Unfortunately, many multimedia applications, as well as computer and console games, are not designed to facilitate access for a significant number of people. People with vision, hearing, or motor disabilities have few options available to them for playing games. People who have color-blindness, attention/memory problems, auditory processing difficulties, and/or slower visual-motor responses also face barriers when they use multimedia applications and games.

There are people who are working hard to make game technology more accessible.

The International Game Developers Association has a Game Accessibility SIG has a wiki that contains links to a variety of game access projects.

The following is a partial list of links related to game accessibility:

IDGA Game Accessibility SIG

Game Accessibility.Com

Game Accessibility Games (links to information categorized by visual, auditory, physical, and learning disabilities)

Game Access Resources and Research

Audio Games

OneSwitch

Switch Gaming

SymbolWorld

Brain Wave Games 4 Learning

Paras Kaul, a "neural multimedia artist, researcher, and music composer" wrote an interesting article about the use of a brainwave interface and related technology for gaming, music, art, and learning.

Take a look at this article!

Mind, Brain and Emerging Technologies: Andrea Gaggio's Positive Technology Blog

Andrea Gaggio has an intensive background in technology and psychology. His blog, "Positive Technology Journal" has a wealth of information and links, updated regularly.

The Importance of Media Literacy - Link to Quotes

This is a link to quotes from a variety of people about media literacy.

The quotes were posted on the Media Literacy Clearinghouse Website. If that link does not work, try this one. The Media Literacy Clearninghouse has a variety of resources for K-12 educators.

Link to MegaList of Resources and References: Psychology, Technology, Prevention & Intervention

Take a look at the mega-list of references and resources for psychology, technology, education, prevention and intervention posted on the TechPsych blog. Many of the references include links on-line articles and resources.

Here are links to information about RippleEffects and Dimenxian, interactive multimedia applications for kids and teens.

For those of you gearing up for the new school year, read my posts on the TechPsych blog about the following applications:
Link to post on the TechPsych blog about Dimenxian, an engaging interactive 3D game for algebra. Link to post on the TechPsych blog about RippleEffects for Teens and RippleEffects for Kids, social learning and behavioral intervention software.