Software, Web and in general systems, services and the environment are under discussion towards accessibility and usability.
What about games? They are only under discussion when special therapeutic or educational issues are concerned. Why is Mainstream Game Accessibility treated as an issue of minor concern? Why do software based game developers do not have according guidelines and support tools when developing games that their products could be used by a broader market and could support social inclusion of people with disabilities.
This STS wants to focus on game accessibility, be it special games or mainstream games. Researchers, game developers, AT developers and providers, players ... to present their views, ideas, concepts or products in this field.
Software accessibility of desktop applications has been progressing a lot during the last decade. Many standard professional applications, like Office suites, Web browsers, mail readers are nowadays mostly accessible using access software like screen readers or screen magnifiers. Still most entertainment applications won't work at all with this access software. Indeed during the same period researches have been focusing on how to render complex game interaction with alternative modalities, allowing the development of a number of specific games dedicated to people with special needs. Since a couple of years though, thanks to great results obtained in this field, the idea of Mainstream Game Accessibility is spreading. Moreover, game accessibility is also a topic of growing importance for general HCI accessibility as the general HCI trend goes towards dynamic, visual and avatar based ... or we could say "game based" concepts. Focusing on game accessibility thereby is seen as proactive HCI accessibility research.
At the moment, the trends in HCI are touch interactions and gesture recognition, also, but not only in the area of games. Accessing these interfaces is one of the up-to-date challenges, with big potential and big risks for people with disabilities.
This STS wants to focus on game accessibility:
- specific games for people with special needs
- accessibility of mainstream games
- therapeutic and educational aspects
Researchers, game developers, AT developers and providers, players are invited to share their views, ideas, concepts or products in this field.
Chairs
Dominique Archambault
Master Technologies et Handicap
Université Paris 8
Jérôme Dupire
Conservatoire national des arts et métiers, Paris.