Accessibility and game controllers

Markus2324 · Nov 3, 2022

As a blind gamer and I am also a volunteer for the Canadian national Institute for the blind I’m trying to get my name out there for accessibility consulting within video games and other technology. My question is I have the resources I know there is an adaptive controller but I would like to see a controller that has either braille or some sort of raised dots on the buttons. If you think about it a new gamer or a gamer that is in the process of losing their site or has lost their site may not know the actual buttons this would increase their level of fun not to mention eliminate a lot of button mashing if they are prompts to push a certain button. any feedback leading me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated thank you

:)

Markus2324

That’s a great idea. Thank you for that tip. I do have some ideas in mind. I’m also good friends with a vision meet teacher who has volunteered to help me out with a spare control that I have so once I get that done I’m hoping to do a video on my YouTube channel to present it and who knows I might get lucky and the right people will see it. That’s my hopes at least

SwordofWhedon

Perhaps some stickers with the braille bumps, or even 3D printed replacement caps? I bet if you go down to a local maker space someone could crank those out for you no problem. It’s pretty simple for a sighted person to swap them out

Rob Harvie

Markus,

Braille dimples are barely noticeable to the vision dependant, especially on dark or black plastic, so it's not like there'd be much resistance to simply adding them to controller buttons during production in the first place – you're right. Until they do, I find the Braille Plastic labeller (available at the CNIB Store) useful for things I'm wanting to have tactile indicators on.

Supposedly, Microsoft had filed a patent for an Xbox controller with refreshable Braille display three or four years ago, but I don't such a product has ever been unveiled.

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hamish001

use the guide button on your controller and you can access games there

Hordie

Yes.

Family Controls has a family timer option.

Family Timer: This setting allows you to limit the time that your console can be used on a daily or weekly basis.

http://support.xbox.com/en-US/billing-and-subscriptions/parental-controls/xbox-live-parental-control

Accessibility and game controllers