[games_access] "Top 10" list number 10

[Barrie Ellis]

How did we miss your number 10 out, Reid!? Packaging accessibility 
logos/symbols would need some thorough thought as how to standardise and 
best implement. As for the CC symbol, I wonder if it would be good to tie it 
up with the graded accessibility system www.DeafGamers.com use, as they are 
so well established already? I think a catch all "accessibility features in 
this game" logo would be essential too.

As for your thoughts around "accessibility for all, in all media", I 
personally think it right for us to aspire to making things as accessible as 
we can balanced against time constraints, and the value of getting the 
thoughts out there.

The survey is important, but a huge swathe of learning disabled people would 
find it inaccessible due to the language and format used. Perhaps we could 
get an organisation like www.symbolworld.org involved? As to the SIG GA 
web-site, it would definitely benefit from more images, and simpler 
navigation. Time is always an issue though, and I certainly don't want to 
knock anybody's efforts. It's great to have a web-site pulling together such 
diverse work, and it will be great to have any survey out there, promoted 
well.

Cheers,

Barrie
www.OneSwitch.org.uk




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Reid Kimball" <rkimball at gmail.com>
To: "IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List" <games_access at igda.org>
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 5:29 AM
Subject: Re: [games_access] "Top 10" list for GDC


Number 10 should be something like:

10. Show on your game packaging material that you offer accessibility
features. If you close caption the game, use the [CC] symbol. Specify
whether it is subtitled only, sfx only or both. If you game has other
accessibility features, use icons to indicate their presence. Many
people who have a disability have no way of know if a game will be
playable by them until they buy the game. If it is not playable due to
a lack of accessibility features, they are not able to return the game
and get their money back.

-Reid

On 10/25/05, Reid Kimball <rkimball at gmail.com> wrote:
> I may be insensitive here but I think some are going a little too far
> with our "accessibility for all, in all media" mantra. I suggest we
> focus on games instead. I don't think we should become experts in how
> to make a piece of paper accessible. People with vision impairments
> typically carry tools with them to help cope with the world around
> them, like a magnifying glass, in addition to glasses, I would think.
> I wear contacts/glasses, does that mean I demand that all road signs
> have fonts in hundreds of feet in size so my less than 20/20 vision
> can read them? Let's focus on getting our information out there about
> how to develop the tools gamers can use that help them play games.
> Each accessiblity feature will become the canes, glasses, and ramps
> that help disabled gamers play more, let's not let the accessiblity
> issues of a bookmark or website or survey get in the way of us
> educating developers.
>
> -Reid