Games can be:
- A major social space
- A way to manage pain, isolation, and stress
- A creative outlet and livelihood
But many games and platforms are built without disabled players in mind.
This page covers:
- Access barriers in games
- Accessibility features and hardware
- Community-led solutions and advocacy
Examples:
- No remappable controls or limited remapping
- Quick-time events and fast reaction demands with no alternative
- Small, low-contrast text and UI
- Heavy reliance on sound without visual feedback (or the reverse)
- Complex menus with no screen reader support
- Motion-heavy graphics that trigger migraine, nausea, or sensory overload
- Anti-cheat and DRM systems that block assistive tech
Games and platforms may offer:
- Control options – remapping buttons, toggles instead of holds, sensitivity adjustments
- Difficulty options – and not just “easy/normal/hard,” but specific assist modes
- Camera and motion settings – reduced motion, motion blur off, FOV sliders, camera shake options
- Subtitles and captions – customizable size, background, speaker labels, SFX indicators
- Visual settings – high contrast modes, colorblind options, text size, UI scaling
- Audio settings – volume sliders by channel, mono/stereo options, audio cues
- Accessibility presets – bundled options for different disabilities
¶ Hardware and Assistive Tech
Disabled players use:
- Adaptive controllers and switch interfaces
- Keyboards, mice, trackballs, joysticks, and other alternate input devices
- Eye-tracking, head tracking, and voice controls
- DIY and community-made hardware mods
Contributors can:
- Share guides for using adaptive controllers with specific consoles
- Document workarounds for games that lack built-in accessibility
- Link to community resources and organizations focused on accessible gaming
¶ Community and Culture
Accessibility is not only about features; it’s also about:
- Whether disabled players are harassed or welcomed
- How games depict disability (stereotypes vs real representation)
- Whether guilds, clans, and groups accommodate disabled members
- Whether tournaments and streaming platforms are accessible
This page can link to:
- Media/representation pages
- Digital disability justice discussions about gaming spaces
Some strategies:
- Use official feedback channels to request specific, concrete features
- Support studios and creators that engage with disabled communities
- Share accessibility reviews and community checklists
- Push platforms (Steam, console stores, etc.) to include accessibility information and filters
As this page grows, it can host:
- Templates for accessibility feedback
- Lists of games known for strong accessibility (with reasons why)
- Bug reports and patterns where updates made games less accessible