Game On! Senator Persaud, AbleGamers Foundation Bring Accessible Video Games to the Community for People with Disabilities

On May 16, Senator Persaud held her inaugural G.A.M.E. (Game Accessibility Means Equality) Day with AbleGamers, a leading charity that advocates for the power of video games as a means to breaking down social barriers for people with disabilities, at Brookdale University Hospital Cafeteria. AbleGamers brought the latest video-game related accessibility technologies to the community so those with disabilities can experience gaming despite their physical limitations. Also present at the event was the team from NBA 2K League's Knicks Gaming, a group of professional competitive gamers and the inaugural 2018 NBA 2K League champions.

Dozens of community members in attendance experienced hands-on demonstrations by AbleGames via devices such as the Xbox Adaptive Controller and played video games like Rocket League using the technology. The Knicks Gaming team members joined in the fun too, as did the Senator. Additionally, Senator Persaud presented AbleGamers with a resolution proclaiming May 16 as Global Accessibility Awareness Day in New York State, which happened to fall on National Global Accessibility Awareness Day this year.

"Video games are a mainstream form of entertainment today, so making them more accessible is important. They are not only enjoyable but also a beneficial activity from which players can derive a sense of well-being," Senator Persaud said. "For those who cannot leave their homes, video games are a way to go on adventures without going anywhere, and they allow players to be on an equal playing field, regardless of their disabilities. My goal is to spotlight the fact that disability does not equal inability and shine more awareness on how accessibilty should be considered in all endeavors, including video games. Thank you to Brookdale Hospital, Knicks Gaming and AbleGamers for partnering with me on this delightful event and supporting this wonderful movement."

“It's such a great honor to partner with Senator Roxanne Persaud,” AbleGamers COO Steven Spohn said. “Game Accessibility Means Equality Day is the first time AbleGamers has been part of a state proclamation. I can't tell you how much that means to us! Together with Senator Persaud, we are telling the world that game accessibility is not only important, but here to stay."