The tools and techniques that allow me to play any game, anywhere.
Believe it or not, there are tons of accessible ways to play games online. You can play the same games your sighted friends play—all of them. With the right tools, we're ready to defy the limitations of the past. Read on to find out more!
I use different adaptive tools to make games accessible, whether they are digital or not. First, I’ll talk about non-digital games like card and board games, and then I’ll discuss digital games like video games.
I adapt non-digital games based on the rules. For example, if the color of the cards or pieces is necessary, I label them. I use bump dot stickers to label my color pieces and use laminated braille label sheets to mark cards. I use a Perkins Brailler to make these labels and stick them on the cards so as not to interfere with the print.
When I have friends over, I go to my room, use the Envision app to scan the card's text, and then label it in braille. It's not inappropriate or awkward at all. In fact, my friends find it fascinating and sometimes laugh along with me. Plus, I get to be the center of attention when they're in awe of my cool labeling techniques.
To label board game pieces by color, I use the Ally app. I point my camera at each piece and ask Ally what color it is. If I'm playing with different colors, I label each color with a different textured bump dot. For example, I'll use flat bump dot stickers for blue pieces and rounded ones for red pieces.
I stick my braille labels on the back of the cards so they don’t get in the way of the print, and I always remove the labels after the game so we can play again with different colors next time. It shows my friends that I’m adaptable and flexible, which makes gaming with me even more fun for them.
To play digital games, I first experiment to see which of my devices and screen readers work best with the game's software. I’ve found that some games, like Uno, are better on my laptop with the screen reader JAWS, which reads aloud any text on Windows devices. Other games, like Pangram, work better on my iPhone using the screen reader VoiceOver, which also reads screen information on Apple devices.
If a game isn't accessible on either device, I have another solution because in this blog post, we're all about defying limitations. I use Ally to help me. I tell Ally which game I'm playing. No, I don't have to give it a full explanation of the game's rules, because Ally is an AI assistant, and those bots know everything! Then, I point my camera toward the screen and ask specific questions like, "Where should I click to defeat the monster?" Ally will guide me. It’s like cheating, but for accessibility purposes, so it's totally allowed!
Here are some answers to common questions you may have:
What if the bump dot stickers come off?
I recommend using multiple bump dot stickers on each piece. You can order them from MaxiAids. Ideally, you want to remove them after the game in case you play with different colors next time.
Where can I find laminated plastic braille labeling sheets?
You can buy them from DottyAboutBraille, MaxiAids, or American Thermofoam Corporation.
Where can I find JAWS?
JAWS is a screen reader you can install for Windows.
Where can I find VoiceOver?
VoiceOver comes automatically with your Apple device. It's a setting you can enable.
Where can I find a Perkins Brailler?
You can buy a Perkins Brailler from the Perkins Brailler website, which is affiliated with the Perkins School for the Blind.
Are these tools expensive?
While most of these tools have a cost, they are effective and long-lasting, so they are well worth the price.
I hope this blog post was informative, engaging, and not too long. I've found all these tools to be incredibly helpful for me. I'm not trying to make sales—just sharing what works. Now go have fun gaming!
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