Adaptive Gaming & ESports

Adaptive Gaming Organizations 

  • AbleGamers: Able Gamers mission is to create opportunities that enable play for people with disabilities and improve their quality of life while prioritizing two core objectives: enabling people with disabilities to access video games with ease and empowering game creators and developers to design games with maximum accessibility. 
  • Warfighter Engaged: A nonprofit that leads adaptive gaming clinics, workshops, and consulting open to veterans and civilians, and organizations worldwide. 
  • The Controller Project: A volunteer-driven initiative, created by AbleGamers that designs 3D-prints, and distributes free controller modifications such as modular joysticks, trigger extenders, single-handed grips, and leg-mounted mounts to gamers with physical disabilities. 

Adaptive Gaming Guides 

  • Accessible Gaming Guide: United Spinal’s guide provides information on adaptive gaming options for individuals with spinal cord injuries, highlighting accessible controllers, devices, and software that help enhance the gaming experience. It also discusses the benefits of gaming for mental health, socialization, and skill development while offering financial assistance resources for purchasing adaptive equipment. 
  • GameAccess: Powered by SpecialEffect, it is a comprehensive platform dedicated to improving the motor accessibility of video games. It offers an extensive library of resources from setup guides for adaptive controllers like Xbox Adaptive Controller and PS5 Access Controller to game-specific accessibility walkthroughs, software tool recommendations, and 141 instructional videos empowering gamers with physical disabilities to customize their setups. 
  • Gaming Readapted: Gaming Readapted is a comprehensive online resource dedicated to adaptive video gaming, offering detailed guidance on selecting, setting up, and using a wide range of adaptive controllers and accessibility tools. Their site features step-by-step tutorials, console-specific setup tools, game recommendations, research insights, and a directory of support organizations. They also have YouTube channel with a variety of instructional videos and demonstrations of adaptive gaming styles. 
  • Makers Making Change (MMC): Leads Canada’s open-source adaptive gaming efforts by connecting volunteer makers with individuals and clinics to build low-cost customizable assistive controllers and switches. Their adaptive gaming portal offers resources like setup guides, game kits, game Checkpoint toolkits and a library of over 200 open-source device designs (joysticks, assistive switches, mounts) compatible with the Xbox Adaptive Controller and other platforms. 
  • SpecialEffect: A UK-based company dedicated to enabling people with disabilities to play video games through personalized, adapted technology. Their YouTube channels offer guided demonstrations and how to guides. 

Adaptive Gaming Groups 

  • The Quad Gods: They are the world’s first all-quadriplegic E-Sports gaming team, breaking barriers and stereotypes. Assembled with the help of Drs. David Putrino and Angela Riccobono, these Mount Sinai spinal cord injury patients redefine what’s possible in gaming. Check out their documentary HERE. 
  • Nerve Gaming: United Spinal Association of Georgia’s esports program spawned Nerve Gaming. They feature gamers with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities who participate in community game nights, streaming, clip-of-the-week competitions, sharing equipment set-ups, individual and team coaching, and competitive tournaments. 

ESports Tournaments 

  •  Adaptive E-Sports Tournament: Logitech has partnered with the Mount Sinai, AbleGamers Charity and Adaptive Action Sports to provide adaptive gamers with a professional series of esports tournaments featuring high stakes, bragging rights, and $30,000+ in cash & prizes. 
  • ByoWave Community: Makers of the Proteus Controller, an accessible video game controller for disabled gamers, hosts on their discord server monthly gaming tournaments and events, where you can join in and win prizes. 

Adaptive Gaming Forums 

  • Disable Gamers: A subreddit community dedicated to supporting and connecting gamers with disabilities through discussions about adaptive hardware, software, accessibility tips, and game mechanics. 
  • DisabledGamers: This discord community empowers disabled gamers, streamers, through adaptive tech, mental-health resources, and peer networking. 

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Disclaimer: Linking to publications, materials or websites of other organizations or entities does not constitute endorsement by Mount Sinai of such publications, materials or websites. Mount Sinai provides these references and links because they may be of value to persons interested in SCI.