While the negative aspects of video games often make headlines, the potential benefits of gaming as a mental exercise, social interaction and even therapy are gaining credibility. To people living with paralysis, these benefits can be especially advantageous under pandemic restrictions that increase social isolation. The paradox is that most commercial video games are out of reach to the very people who may benefit most from them.

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Taking Accessible Gaming Beyond a Marketing Buzzword

That is slowly changing, as “accessible gaming” catches on as more than just a buzzword. In the meantime, gamers with paralysis are largely left to their own devices to figure out how to adapt their devices in ways that let them play the games they love.

That’s where Adam Kosakowski comes in. His passion is to help people with disabilities use assistive technology (AT) to their full advantage. As an AT Specialist with the NEAT Center at Oak Hill for the last three years, that’s also his job. An educator since 2008, Kosakowski combines his teaching experience and love for technology to help people with paralysis solve real problems, including gaming accessibility.

Learn from an Expert How to Harness Assistive Technology to Make Gaming Accessible

Gamers can get a crash course in accessible gaming from Kosakowski in a free workshop at the upcoming Reeve Summit 2021 (April 27-29, 2021).

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Using a case-study approach, Kosakowski will illustrate how the right AT enables gamers with paralysis to have their best game possible and be a part of the gaming community. He will walk participants step-by-step through the consultative process of matching a gamer to the right accessible gaming controller, one that fits the gamer’s goals, strengths, and challenges. He will review the pros and cons of various controllers and game settings, and what one should know.

Second Annual Reeve Summit April 27-29 Features 40+ Virtual Sessions on Paralysis Topics

The second annual Reeve Summit: Where Care, Cure and Community Connect takes place April 27-29, 2021. Gaming Accessibility for Gamers with Paralysis with Adam Kosakowski (April 27, 2-3 p.m.) is one of more than 40 virtual sessions. The summit will explore topics relevant to the paralysis community, including advocacy, caregiving, employment, research, and health and wellness. Participants around the globe will have a chance to hear from experts, ask questions, and share their own experiences of living with paralysis.

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