Adaptive gamer support person?
Okay you might have heard from the person you’re supporting that they really want to try gaming. Or you might be thinking about checking in with them yourself as you think it could be great for them. This is for you.
Why should our disability community get gaming?
Sorry we’re starting with the hard sell! There’s no point in starting off with the safety stuff if you’re not yet convinced it’s a good idea. So, top reasons it could be a good idea to connect into the gaming community.
Mainstream first
Whatever your persons needs, somebody creative has probably invented a device that will help them get gaming. How cool that our community can finally take part in the mainstream world of gaming. If you’re not sure, check out our set up article
Opening a new world
People are so creative! Even if your person is at home or not able to participate in daily life wider than their immediate environment, gaming gives them the chance to explore and experience something incredible.
Control (Self Determination)
Our community don’t always get the chance to have full control over things. Their daily routine, meeting their own needs, deciding purchases, picking who to meet or their goals. Gaming puts all of this in their scope.
Connecting
It’s not always easy to find people who think or feel the same as you. Gaming opens a local and international world of people online, making your persons hit-rate a heck of a lot more likely. Gaming also gives people a shared language, no matter who you are, if you’ve played Halo, you suddenly have something in common with the millions of others who have too.
What protections are there in place?
We’ve yet to see a console or sharing system without a parental control/support area. You can work with the person you’re supporting to ensure you’ve both come to a place you’re comfortable with on how you ensure their online safety.
Netsafe is New Zealand’s authority on helping caregivers support safe online gaming. They’ve even put together a toolkit for you and have a 24/7 helpline.
Safe Online Gaming | How To Game Safely Online | Netsafe (external link)