IGDA Game Access SIG

Game Accessibility Code

GA SIG — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 23:24:15 +0000

A collaborative coding site is now available for everyone who wants join, to ease implementation of accessibility solutions in games, as described by previously published guidelines.

New Leadership for the GA SIG!

GA SIG — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 17:35:04 +0000

Today it was announced the current Chairperson, Tara Voelker, will be stepping down from her position while the Steering Committee, comprised of Michelle Hinn, Barrie Ellis, and Thomas Westin, will take control of the SIG.

Information on the website to be updated shortly.

See the offical announcement here:

Hello All,

Although I’ve had a great time being Chairperson, and I can’t thank this group enough for giving me the chance to make an impact on our actions and goals, the time has come for me to officially step down as the Chairperson of the IGDA Game Accessibility Special Interest Group. When I first took the role, I dedicated myself to the job, but after switching studios and moving, I found myself unable to give the SIG the amount of time and commitment it deserves.

I want the SIG to have strong leadership from active members, and with this in mind, I will be turning over the responsibilities of Chairperson to the steering committee, comprised of Michelle Hinn, Barrie Ellis, and Thomas Westin, while I return to being a regular SIG member and remain on our email list.

Together, I’m sure they will be an awesome team to lead us to even stronger and more productive SIG.

I can’t wait to see where they bring us, and wish them the best of luck.
Sincerely,

Tara (Tefertiller) Voelker – The Now Former Chairperson : igda-gasig.org

GDC Meeting – 2012

GA SIG — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:47:37 +0000

Sorry for the late notice! We’re going to having our SIG meeting at 5 TODAY in Room 112 in North Hall. Tara will be skyping in to lead it. We will try to get an audio transcript of the meeting. … Continue reading →

Announcement- Partnering with film Victoria

GA SIG — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 01:09:45 +0000

The IGDA Game Accessibility SIG is proud to announce its partnership with Film Victoria!

Film Victoria is an investment fund for game development run by the Victorian state government in Australia and has given grants for many different projects, from indie games to larger console titles.

When Film Victoria contacted the IGDA Game Accessibility SIG, they been discussing adding accessibility requirements into their funding guidelines, as well as providing appropriate funding to design, develop and test projects for accessibility and asked for our help.

Of course, the GA SIG was up to the challenge! In response, we fully updated our top ten list, with the help of Special Effect and their accessibility wish list, as well as providing more in depth information about different accessibility features on our website.

Now, I am pleased to announce that game accessibility considerations have been officially implemented into their application process and are based off our very own top 10 accessible features list!

We are all very excited, and are proud to see Film Victoria setting a precedent for government funded games internationally!

To learn more on game accessibility, check out the information we provide here on our website.

For information on Film Victoria, be sure to check out their website, or see the application guidelines featuring the new accessibility section based of the IGDA Game Accessibility Special Interest Group right here!

Games Investment Guidelines (vOctober 7th, 2011)

Sincerely,

Tara Voelker – GA SIG Chair

Technical Difficulties

GA SIG — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 20:01:29 +0000

We are currently experiencing some technical difficulties, and the home page is often not found. We are working to address this issue. Thank you.

Meeting Moved- July 7th

GA SIG — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:46:38 +0000

Hello! Our meeting from last week has been moved due to low attendance. The rescheduled meeting will be taking place Thursday, June July 7th at 10 AM Eastern time and a second one will take place at 7 PM Eastern time. If you have questions about what time they may locally for you, please check at timeanddate.com.

The meeting will be on Skype and the meeting transcript will be posted on the website. Simple message Tara at tara.tefertiller on Skype if you would like to join.

Thank you!

Meeting – June 28th

GA SIG — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:24:42 +0000

Hello! It’s time for another meeting. This meeting will be taking place Tuesday, June 28th at 10 AM Eastern time and a second one will take place at 7 PM Eastern time. If you have questions about what time they may locally for you, please check at timeanddate.com.

The meeting will be on Skype and the meeting transcript will be posted on the website. Simple message Tara at tara.tefertiller on Skype if you would like to join.

Thank you!

New Logo

GA SIG — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 18:14:09 +0000

The SIG now has gotten a new logo!

AbleGamers Foundation at PAX

GA SIG — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 18:08:49 +0000

Gamers Doing Good. – How We use Games to Make Life Better for Others

PAX – Friday, March 11 · 5:00pm – 6:00pm

Panel Members:

Avery Alix, PopCap Games, Moderator
Mark Barlet, AbleGamers Foundation
Steve Spohn, AbleGamers Foundation
Ben Herz, AbleGamers Foundation
Zach Wigal, Gamers Outreach Foundation
Stefani Shea – Gamers Outreach Foundation
Christopher Frost – RadioActive Nerd

About:

Join us at the Gamers Doing Good panel, as video game industry charities The AbleGamers Foundation (Ben, Mark & Steven) & Gamers Outreach Foundation (Stefanie & Zach) team up to discuss how games are being used to help others. We are joined by Chris from RadioActive Nerd and Avery from Popcap Games (moderator) to share how gamers themselves can combine their passion for gaming with charitable action.

If you can, please donate and help fund their trip! Please go here to donate.

Michelle Hinn (Our Chair Emeritus) at GDC

GA SIG — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 19:18:51 +0000

Speaker/s: Michelle Hinn (IGDA Game Accessibility Special Interest Group) (Not listed as the speaker since Michelle submitted it- but I am on the roundtable)
Day / Time / Location: Thursday 9:00-10:00 Room 113, North Hall
Track / Format: Game Design / Roundtable
Description: One key issue that comes up whenever game studios include accessibility features in their games is how to announce these features so that gamers with disabilities and their friends, family, etc can easily find out this information while shopping for games. While there are a few review sites dedicated to providing the disabled gamer with this information, there has yet to be an industry-wide standard for including symbols on game boxes and in mainstream gaming websites and magazines. The purpose of this session is to discuss how such a system can be created, who would be the responsible group to approve accessibility ratings, and what design features this sort of rating system would include. Come help contribute to the discussion of an exciting new ratings system that can help even more gamers play your game!
Eligible Passes: All Access Pass, Main Conference Pass