Major Fundraising Event Celebrates the Power and Skill of Gamers to Improve the Lives of those with Disabilities
Harpers Ferry, WV (August 29, 2016) – AbleGamers – the leading charity and organization wielding the power of gaming to break down the barriers of economic and social isolation for people with disabilities – is excited to announce the first ever “Ability” fundraising event. On October 8th, 2016, the AbleGamers community and its supporters will band together for a day-long event of hosted online and offline popular games and other fun group activities.
Ability participants can be anyone and everyone, from streamers, gaming clubs or groups to passionate individuals. Those who register for Ability may create a fundraising team for themselves and their community featuring any gaming activity of their choosing, or join existing teams. Regardless of how one participates, everyone registered for Ability is unified in supporting AbleGamers’ key disability aid programs, including Expansion Packs – the development and distribution of assistive gaming technologies so that everyone can game comfortably and happily.
For those with limited real-world mobility, standard video game controllers hinder interaction and often exclude the disabled from gaming. AbleGamers partners with technology companies to produce specialized assistive gaming technologies, including customizable controllers and peripherals. These make possible a host of first time experiences in the virtual world, or allow the rediscovery of their joy for gaming if lost due to illness or injury, for those with physical limitations. Funds raised from the Ability event allows AbleGamers to continue to show the positive impact gaming has on one’s social and emotional health by distributing their custom gaming solutions to hospitals and care facilities.
“We’re happy to finally take the lid off of Ability and share this new fundraising event with the gaming conity,” said Steven Spohn, Chief Operations Officer of AbleGamers. “The cost of custom accessibility controllers for the disabled often exceed $400. Ability will be a day of widespread support, recruiting gamers on and off-line to help make the dream of playing video games a reality for those with disabilities.”
Once registered for the event, participants are free to show their support in bursts or marathons and with or without friends on a platform of their choosing. Any type of game is acceptable, from video games to classic pen and paper RPGs. Ability participants can even choose to do something other than gaming and get as creative as they wish to reach their respective fundraising goals. To show ongoing support, participants can additionally fundraise at any time before or after October 8th, 2016. Regardless of whether participants meet their fundraising goals or not, every donation goes towards making a difference within the disability community. For more information and to register for the AbleGamers Ability event, please visit ablegamers.donordrive.com.
AbleGamers will be at PAX West in Seattle, Washington from September 2-5, located within the Diversity Lounge. Attendees who register to take part in Ability at the event will receive an AbleGamers T-shirt!
If you would like to arrange an interview with AbleGamers’ Program Director Craig Kaufman at PAX West, or speak with Executive Director Mark Barlet or Chief Operations Officer Steven Spohn via email, telephone or Skype, please contact Mario Kroll or CJ Melendez at pr@uberstrategist.com.
About AbleGamers
The AbleGamers Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity that wields the power of video games to break down the barriers of economic and social isolation for people with disabilities. Through received support and donations, AbleGamers provides disabled gamers with assistive technologies (including their Expansion Pack program) that allow those with limited real-world mobility to experience what it is like to walk, run, climb, drive and even fly – in a virtual world. Via their Includification initiative, AbleGamers additionally advises developers and publishers on how to best incorporate accessibility options so that their video game titles may reach and appeal to the widest and most diverse audience possible. To read AbleGamers articles, or to find out how your support or donations can help them positively impact an even greater number of individuals with disabilities, please visit www.ablegamers.com.
Related: Winner of AbleGamers Fellowship Selected by Trion Worlds
I have always enjoyed playing video games and am a programming team lead for a video game company. I co-founded Gaming Cypher because I enjoy the gaming community and would like to provide the best news service around. Feel free to ask me any questions and I will make sure to get back to you quickly.
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