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Did you know you can play video games with your feet, head, shoulders, and legs? Take a look at how video games can be adapted for people with disabilities!

For many people living with disabilities, playing video games is far more than “just a leisure activity.” Instead, it can be a critically important way for them to connect with others, minimizing their social isolation and improving physical and mental health. For a child or teen with a physical disability, the motor and cognitive skills learned with gaming can improve their ability to use other assistive technologies in the home and workplace to foster independence.

Recently, CIDE occupational therapist Becky Breaux, MS, OTR/L, ATP and engineer Morris Huang, PhD, have worked with several clients to find the best way for them to play video games. For some people, the standard video game controller is too difficult to use because the buttons are too hard to push, too small, or require too much fine motor control. Using an adaptive controller, some gamers can use a combination of buttons on a standard console along with specialty switches placed at different areas of their body to activate the specific buttons they cannot use. Others can use the adaptive controller alone with several switches mounted in positions that work best for their abilities.

Contact the CIDE Assistive Technology Clinic today to learn more about our Adaptive Gaming services, or to make an appointment! Call 303-315-1280 or email cide-clinic@ucdenver.edu.