Playing games is fun, social and can spark creative ideas.

Nonprofit Neil Squire Society wants to make sure it’s also an option for everyone who’d like to play.

As Canada’s leader in assistive technology, Neil Squire Society has been revolutionizing the lives of Canadians with disabilities since 1984. Through their Makers Making Change initiative, they recruit makers to design and produce low-cost, open-source assistive technologies. Plans for these devices are available on their website.

Visitors to their website can download these plans–or request that a volunteer create a device for them!

Neil Squire sums up their mission in a recent email: “Our work enables people with disabilities to achieve their goals, reach their full potential and continue living life to the fullest.“

“Having more fun” could easily come under that last heading.

Going “all in” on gaming

And Makers Making Change’s website says they have now “kicked into overdrive” their efforts to offer adaptive gaming among their innovative programs.

As of August, 2024, Makers Making Change has opened nine GAME Checkpoints, across Canada. With GAME as an acronym for Gaming Accessibility Made for Everyone, these centers work with community partners to offer resources, gear and training for adaptive gaming.

Neil Squire Society Makers Making Change Adaptive Gaming Lead Tyler Fentie implemented, and leads, the GAME Checkpoints program.

A mechanical engineer by profession, Tyler recently earned both his Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and Rehabilitation Engineering Technologist (RET) certifications from RESNA,. He’s looking forward to expanding MMC’s Adaptive Gaming program, and would like to invite you to watch MMC’s live stream of their virtual Youth Gaming Tournament, starting at noon, Pacific time on Wednesday, August 21st.

He also gave us the heads-up on some new resources available for anyone who’d like to know more about adaptive gaming. (And you don’t necessarily have to be a resident of Canada to create an accessible gaming center!)

Tyler talked about his background as a maker, shared the story of the GAME Checkpoints program and offered a look at ways anyone with an interest in accessible gaming can find out more.

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

• How Tyler first discovered his passion for being a maker;

• His favorite experiences, during one of his own favorite forms of recreation;

• How he first became involved with Neil Squire Society;

• The story of the GAME Checkpoints program;

• Tyler’s memories of opening the first GAME Checkpoints center;

• Some of the newer devices Makers Making Change has created, for gaming;

• Some of the accessible-gaming devices MMC is currently looking into developing;

• How gamers and makers with disabilities can get involved, to give input and try some of the devices–or request something that’s not commercially available;

• Some of the most fun Tyler has had, working with gamers in GAME Checkpoints;

• One example of making adaptive technology work while creating a game’s artistic experience;

• Some of the adaptive options available to visually-impaired gamers;

• What game studios need to do next. to improve game accessibility;

• What’s next for GAME Checkpoints, and for Makers Making Change in the adaptable gaming area;

• Where Tyler would like to grow, in the future, with his new professional certifications;

• How to get involved!