Breaking Barriers: Inclusivity and Accessibility in Game-Based Learning Apps

Game-based learning has a lot going for it – it improves engagement and retention, allows learners to gain practical experience in simulated environments, and adapts to individual skill levels through personalization.

Making game-based learning inclusive and adaptable is an important step to make these benefits available to a wider population. After all, globally, one in six people experiences a significant disability. 

Inclusivity and accessibility are essential to ensure that everyone, regardless of their abilities, background, or limitations, can fully participate in and benefit from educational and gaming experiences. In the context of game-based learning apps, inclusivity involves designing interfaces, content, and features that cater to a diverse audience, while accessibility focuses on providing equal access to information and functionalities for all users.

Are there guidelines for inclusivity and accessibility?

Yes, in fact – the International Game Developers Association Game Accessibility Special Interest Group has made attempts to establish guidelines for game accessibility to address the challenges faced by users with accessibility issues, as well as design principles and technological innovations for inclusive and accessible game apps.

Here are three examples of accessibility issues and how they can be overcome.

Color Blindness

People with color blindness have difficulty distinguishing some colors; for instance, purple might appear blue and red might look like black. Gamers with color blindness experience several problems in gaming. For instance, some game elements could be camouflaged or completely invisible against each other. This can lead to frustrating gameplay experiences. 

Solution?

Take character customization beyond color in multi-player games. For instance, create a character silhouette that the color-blind can easily recognize. Instead of green, red and blue characters, how about one with big shoes, one with a funny hat, and one with a cool bowtie?!

Cognitive Disabilities

People with cognitive disabilities have difficulty with executive dysfunction, information processing, memory loss, and dyslexia. So, if the game is text-heavy, players will find it difficult. 

Solution?

Game developers can use dyslexia-friendly fonts such as OpenDyslexia or make the user interface simple and uncluttered. Busy game UIs make it harder for players to filter out the ‘visual noise’.

Motor Disabilities

When it comes to people with motor disabilities, some players may not be able to reach the whole keyboard, or need to hold the gamepad in a way that makes it impossible to press some buttons.

Solution?

Holding down a key is frustrating for someone with a motor disability, so key/button combinations can be used in remapping to help reduce the number of keys/buttons needed by players. Some developers include an option to just switch these functions on/off by just performing a single press instead. 

How are game developers making apps more inclusive?

• Companies such as Microsoft, Sony, and Logitech have released adaptive controllers with larger buttons, paddle switches, and joystick attachments to meet the needs of different disabilities.

• Eye tracking technology has emerged as a game-changer for gamers with mobility impairments as it allows players to control games using their eyes.

• Voice recognition software like Dragon Naturally Speaking, which allows you to dictate answers, has opened up possibilities for gamers with limited mobility or dexterity.

• Haptic feedback technology – physical stimuli such as vibration patterns or button-clicking sensation – provides tactile feedback to gamers, allowing them to feel in-game sensations.

• Blizzard Entertainment has an “Overwatch” character roster that encompasses diverse backgrounds, races, and abilities, providing inclusivity across its player community.

• A popular banking game, BBVA, which uses gamification to promote the use of online banking (users perform actions on the bank’s website to earn points and prizes), provides free assistive technology such as voice commands and visual click-assist for people with physical disabilities. This virtual banking game has attracted more than 100,000 players worldwide.

• All Minecraft games include an accessibility menu that offers options to make the game more enjoyable for all players. Accessible menu navigation provides options for navigation to include a keyboard, touch, controller tools, and settings that provide audible narration while playing.

Accessibility with the right tech and mindset

There are challenges when it comes to accessibility and inclusivity, including budget constraints, a lack of awareness, or resistance to change. But these challenges can be overcome, with the right technology – and more importantly, the right attitude. Developers need to collaborate with accessibility experts and organizations to prioritize inclusivity in the design process and advocate for policies that promote accessibility. 

 

Inclusivity and accessibility are not just buzzwords but are critical to creating impactful game-based learning apps that work for everyone. Partner with Hornbill FX to gamify the right way.