We’ve had the honour of hosting a number of successful Adaptive Gaming events with Cerebral Palsy Alberta (new window) over the past year.
“A lot of our clients are very social, and not only do they enjoy getting together in-person, but they love gaming,” says Christy Bangen, Program and Community Engagement Liaison for Cerebral Palsy Alberta. “Even those who weren’t into gaming at all, participated fully, just being there, socializing, and enjoying the camaraderie.”
Cerebral Palsy Alberta supports Albertans with disabilities, including but not limited to cerebral palsy, with a variety of social inclusion programs and support services. They have a wide range of therapeutic and recreational programs, including gardening, music therapy, and aqua therapy.
The most recent adaptive gaming event was held on February 21st in Calgary, and saw 16 Cerebral Palsy Alberta participants take part, along with family and caregivers. After a presentation on Adaptive Gaming, the participants got it to try it for themselves, taking in a variety of Adaptive Gaming set-ups on various consoles, playing with each other, ending with a Wii Bowling showdown.
“It was incredible seeing just the looks on their faces and their smiles, knowing that they could participate,” says Christy.
“The social aspect of gaming for the individuals that we serve is paramount. Whether it’s in a small group, or with a family member, they can participate with confidence. Then, looking at the larger groups that we have at these events, it’s total socialization and acceptance.”
For one participant, learning about Adaptive Gaming meant achieving a longtime ambition to play video games with her family.
Savannah has cerebral palsy, as well as a brain injury. She is non-verbal, has mobility issues, and uses a wheelchair. While she has use of her left hand, her right hand has limited use due to paralysis.
Ever since she was a child, Savannah has wanted to play video games with her brother. When the Wii first came out, her brother bought one thinking they’d be able to play together. However, the Wii’s motion sensor controls didn’t work with her wheelchair.
At the Cerebral Palsy Alberta Adaptive Gaming events, Savannah was able to play a variety of games with assistive technology and adaptive controls. First the first time she was able to play the games she had always wanted — not just watch, but actually play.
“She loves it,” Savannah’s mother Anne says. “When she got her hands on those controllers at the events, she was not letting go.
“People think, ‘oh, it’s just gaming,’ but you know what, everybody’s gaming,” she continues. “For her, it was a whole new world that opened up, something that she always wanted to do, couldn’t do, but now was able to do.”
Neil Squire’s Makers Making Change (new window) program donated assistive switches and OpenAT joysticks to Cerebral Palsy Alberta, and some of the participants went home with Adaptive Gaming devices. Savannah received an Xbox Adaptive Controller and a Logitech Switch Kit, so she can continue gaming at home.
Recently, things came full circle as Savannah was able to play Mario Kart with her nephew at home.
“He was excited because he was able to play a game with his aunt,” Anne says.
“She’s always watched it, and now for the first time she’s not only able to play games, but she’s able to do it on her own; it opens up a whole new world. You know what it’s like when you want to do something so bad, but it seems like it’s always out of reach or impossible; the minute you can you’re like a kid in a candy store. Now that Savannah has the tools to be able to play video games, she’s that excited kid in the candy store.”
For more information on our Adaptive Gaming program, visit our Adaptive Gaming (new window) page. If you have questions, or want to reach out to collaborate on accessible gaming, please reach out to our accessible gaming lead, Tyler Fentie, at tylerf@neilsquire.ca.