[games_access] suits about discrimination on the basisofdisability?

[Barrie Ellis]

My counter argument to that is pretty simple I think.

In the UK, until the 1995 Disability Discrimination Act came into place, very few shops made any effort to provide "reasonably practicable access" to people such as wheelchair users. They complained that it would be far too expensive. All these years later, you'd be very hard pressed to find a shop that doesn't have wheelchair access. The legislation really has made a positive and lasting difference, and few people would worry about it now, or think it unfair.

The reasonably practicable element is where good reason comes in (and yes with some grey areas). There's no pointing a gun to people's head. If it wasn't for anti-discrimination laws coming in, you'd probably still have racially segregated buses in the US, and such like around the world.

Yes, developers worry, but if everyone has to take into account accessibility, it's far less of a worry. Altrusism and education only goes so far. I think we'll have to agree to differ though Steve, from previous discussions.

Barrie







From: Steve Spohn 
Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2012 8:03 PM
To: IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List 
Subject: Re: [games_access] suits about discrimination on the basisofdisability?


I would like to hear your counterargument. Being that I have to personally deal with developers every day in a number of things associated with AG, I can tell you that many of them had trepidation after that suit fearing that it may be the first of such lawsuits. Laws and lawsuits are not the way to bring about change.  


Hell, some people used to say the tactics AbleGamers uses (pointing out videogame flaws in accessibility, doing reviews, and God for bid, talking to developers directly) were bullying tactics and repeatedly asked us to stop in favor of doing studies. Yet trying to force developers, particularly indies, to make adaptations to their product or face the consequence of the law, is acceptable?


I think that is a bit of a double standard. 


Walking down the road of virtually pointing a gun in the face of the developers saying "add a colorblind mode or else" is a very slippery slope.


On Sun, Jun 24, 2012 at 2:47 PM, Barrie Ellis <oneswitch at gmail.com> wrote:

  Also would say that it doing more harm than good is up for dispute.


  From: Steve Spohn 
  Sent: Sunday, June 24, 2012 7:21 PM
  To: IGDA Games Accessibility SIG Mailing List 
  Subject: Re: [games_access] suits about discrimination on the basis ofdisability?


  It was thrown out. Also, many of AG SE & SIG condemned the law suit as it is not a good way to bring about change. Many devs clammed up for awhile after this law suit. It did more harm than anything. 


  On Sun, Jun 24, 2012 at 10:28 AM, Sandra Uhling <sandra_uhling at web.de> wrote:

    Hi,

    do we have a list with suits about discrimination on the basis of
    disability?


    I have only this:
    http://www.gamespot.com/news/visually-impaired-gamer-sues-sony-online-623933
    9

    Does someone have information about the result?
    Was ist because it was no "public service" or/and error in form?

    Best regards,
    Sandra

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  Steve Spohn 
  Editor-In-Chief
  The AbleGamers Foundation
  AbleGamers.com | AbleGamers.org | Facebook | Twitter 




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  _______________________________________________
  games_access mailing list
  games_access at igda.org
  http://seven.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/games_access
  The main SIG website page is http://igda-gasig.org







-- 
Steve Spohn 
Editor-In-Chief
The AbleGamers Foundation
AbleGamers.com | AbleGamers.org | Facebook | Twitter 




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