video games and disability

When most of us think of people with disabilities, the idea of playing video games might be the last thing to enter our minds. However, millions of people all over the world play video games, and with the creation of network technology, it can be a great social activity. As evidenced by these three websites, gaming is also becoming more inclusive.

Ben Heck -- Benjamin J. Heckendorn, known to the rest of the net as Ben Heck, likes to mess with video game hardware. He started out doing fun or strange modifications on video game consoles as a hobby, but impressed enough people with his mods that he now does it full time. You can find plenty of interesting and creative projects on his website, but his most important work is two attempts to make a one-handed video game controller. The first version was prompted by a request from an Iraq veteran who lost the use of one arm during combat. After making the first controller, Ben spent some time redesigning and refining the project. His second version adds functionality and the ability to completely customize the button/joystick configuration, and plans are in the works to have it mass produced and available in stores.

AbleGamers.com -- Able Gamers provides a community for gamers with disabilities. Their site has feature articles, product reviews for ergonomic hardware, and industry news. The industry news comes in two flavors: news geared toward gamers with disabilities, and general gaming news. You can find out whether or not Xbox plans to incorporate Blu-Ray into its consoles or find out about upcoming changes to World of Warcraft that could make gaming a lot tougher for people with limited movement.

Game Accessibility -- Game Accessiblity is very similar to AbleGamers. The main difference is that Game Accessibility focuses on computer games rather than console games. Another difference is that Game Accessibility divides certain portions of its website by type of disability, with sections for visually, auditory, physically and learning disabled gamers.

Disability awareness ideas for teachers

Our perspectives about disabilities often begin in childhood. CeDIR has a new book called "Teaching about Disabilities through Children's Literature" by Mary Anne Prater and Tina Taylor to help kids learn about disabilities in a positive way. This is a valuable resource for teachers that talks about representations of disabilities in literature and how to use children's books to teach about disabilities. There are lists of relevant children's books on specific disabilities as well as lesson plans, unit plans, worksheets, and activities.

Indiana residents may check out this item from us by calling 812-855-9396 or by e-mailing cedir@indiana.edu. Out-of-state residents can find this book at your local public library.

Accessible Travel & Hospitality

Want to travel? Check out this website for SATH!

The Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH), founded in 1976, is an educational nonprofit membership organization whose mission is to raise awareness of the needs of all travelers with disabilities, remove physical and attitudinal barriers to free access and expand travel opportunities in the United States and abroad.

Since its inception, SATH has served as a clearinghouse for access information. SATH’s travel magazine, Open World, features inspiring articles by travelers with disabilities and updates on destinations, cruises, web sites, legislation and more.

Interested in more accessible vacation ideas? Check out 101 Accessible Vacations by Candy Harrington. This book is the first guidebook dedicated exclusively to wheelchair-accessible destinations, lodgings, recreational opportunities, and tourist attractions! Contact us if you're an Indiana resident. If not find this book at your local library!

Indiana Summer Camps

Interested in Indiana Summer Camps geared towards youths with disabilities?


Bradford Woods in Martinsville, Indiana is well known as the best residential camping facility in the Midwest available to youth with disabilities. Many of these are sponsored by Riley Children’s Foundation. One such program is the award-winning week long Camp Kan Du, which is designed for youth whose cognitive level is assessed between 0 to 48 months. Camp About Face, sponsored by the Craniofacial Clinic and Riley Children’s Foundation, is a week-long camp for children with craniofacial anomalies.
Contact them at (765) 342-2915 or check out their website!

There is also:
Isanogel Center Show Phone # in Muncie, Indiana where individuals with physical & mental disabilities can make friends while enjoying activities. Contact at 765-288-1073.
OR
Camp Millhouse Show Phone # in South Bend, Indiana which offers fun-filled adventurous outdoor activities for persons with special needs. Contact at 574-233-2202

Looking for summer camps in different states check out this helpful website.
My Summer Camps

Understanding Your Child's Puzzling Behavior

Curtis, S.E. (2008). Understanding your child's puzzling behavior: a guide for parents of children with behavioral, social, and learning challenges. Bainbridge Island, WA: Lifespan Press. Call No. 40.2 .C8

As a parent it's often difficult to know if your child's puzzling behavior is a kid just being a kid, or indicative of a larger issue that requires professional help. If they do need professional help where do you start and what should you expect? Dr. Steven Curtis, a licensed children's clinical psychologist, has written a step by step to help parents answer these questions.

This book is divided into three main sections:

• A framework for understanding and finding help for your child
• Five steps to finding the right solution
• Where and when to seek professional help

Throughout the text you'll find helpful worksheets and examples, easy to read tables and a glossary of pertinent terms. Also included is a parent resource guide for more information on a variety of subjects related to puzzling behavior.

Interested in checking this book out? Indiana residents can contact us at cedir@indiana.edu. Not an Indiana resident? Find Understanding Your Child's Puzzling Behavior at a library near you!