When it comes to improving the accessibility of video games, it’s often simple things that can make a big difference, says this week's guest, Mick Donegan. Since 2007, the charity he founded, SpecialEffect, has helped thousands of people with severe physical disabilities play video games by creating bespoke setups suited to their abilities. In today’s interview, Mick shares how SpecialEffect has become a catalyst for change in the gaming industry by sharing its knowledge with game developers and hardware manufacturers, including Microsoft and Sony, the makers of the Xbox Adaptive Controller and the Playstation Access Controller.

In this episode we discuss:

• The power of play and gaming’s impact on mental health
• The most challenging cases SpecialEffect has worked on
• What’s behind the drive towards inclusion in the gaming industry
• SpecialEffect’s impact on the industry

This is the first of two episodes on accessible gaming. Look out for part two next week!

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About Mick Donegan

Dr Mick Donegan, MBE, is the Founder and CEO of SpecialEffect, a charity dedicated to providing enhanced opportunities for people with severe physical disabilities to access technology for leisure, creativity and communication. He is also Adjunct Professor of Assistive Design at OCAD University, Toronto. 

Learn more about SpecialEffect: https://www.specialeffect.org.uk/

SpecialEffect DevKit: https://specialeffectdevkit.info/

Follow SpecialEffect on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@specialeffectcharity

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