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Accessible Games Book
By Katie Marl
Brief Description
With the world moving on people with
disabilities are now more readily seen in community,
education and work settings.
This book has come about from a belief that when
companies/ playschemes/ schools/ conferences use games
to integrate people and to promote mixing, this aim
can only be achieved if the games are accessible.
Games that are not accessible only highlight to everyone
the ability levels we each have.
The games included are a selection of those commonly
used categorised into suitability for various disabilities,
awareness raising, use for various sized groups and
introduction games. The book takes an easy-to-use game
per page layout. Symbols and detailed indexes lead the
user to the relevant games for their situation.
A look in more detail
The games included consist of those commonly used
but I have sought to adapt them in order that they
are accessible to a greater number of people, particularly
those with disabilities. Games are classified as
suitable for Small groups (under 10), Medium groups
(10-40) and Large groups (40+) but please remember
that a large group could easily play small or medium
group games if the people are grouped and then return
at the end for a whole group discussion/ feedback session.
It is also indicated if the games are thought to be
useful as a disability awareness raising exercise.
Something to think about when coming up with games
- Always ensure there is enough choice in the options you
provide so that people can work at their own level, eg.
instead of giving the instruction “Go to the door in the
style of a frog”, say “Go to your left in the style of an
animal”. That way people choose an animal they can
physically portray in action and sound and move the
distance they can manage. Also, giving open directions
such as ‘move to the left...” means blind people can more
easily take part, and it spreads the people out more
evenly, reducing congestion and reducing the obviousness
of fast/ slow movers.
- If games involve moving around the room and actions
using arms then wheelchair users are automatically
excluded - they can’t drive! Action must be something
simple like nodding the head.
- Place chairs around the room to allow people with
walking difficulties to sit at certain stages in the game.
- Describing what will happen in the game to the group
before starting allows disabled players to access the
suitability for them, and allows for preparation from
one stage of the game to another, eg. people with walking
difficulties can move to the part of the hall they know
they need to be next.
- Don’t play games that involve the group mirroring
actions of one person - this makes a persons limitations
obvious; people cannot work at their own ability level.
- If written sheets are to be used during the game
copies with print blown up to at least 24pt should be
available for those with sight difficulties.
Sending me your accessible games
You can do this in one of two ways, either you can email it
to me - click on 'send me a game' below, or you can send it
to me by post - by writing to the address at the bottom of the
page.
If you want to find out more about me then click
here
Katie Marl
Flat 6, 264-272 Liverpool Road,
Birkdale, Southport,
Lancashire. PR8 4PE
ENGLAND
Email Address: Michael Marshall
Or: Katie Marl
Designed by Michael Marshall © 1997 18/08/97
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