October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. At EA, we globally celebrate the talents and contributions of our colleagues with apparent and non-apparent disabilities. 🌐 Emphasizing our theme this year, "Embracing Accessibility, Creating Lasting Impact," our ABLE ERG Executive Sponsor, Kate Kellogg shares, "Whether you’re designing games or playing them, everyone deserves a fun and fair battlefield. That’s why accessibility is at the heart of the ways we work together and the experiences we put in the hands of players. Disability inclusion brings together diverse and innovative teams who don’t accept limitations on the worlds, characters and stories that they can create. When we feel welcome, represented and empowered to play, we all win." 🎮 ✨
When I was working at EA, they were so kind to me with my disability and I cannot speak more highly of that company when it comes to employee treatment while I was there. For those of you who are curious, I am a tongue cancer fighter, they literally interviewed me a during my chemo and radiation period when I could barely talk. When I got in, they partnered me up with a great team that didn't mind that I could barely speak and worked with me all through my entire time there. In addition, I had/have a lot of doctors appointments I needed to go to and there was never an issue of me just working later or earlier that day. Again cannot speak highly enough about them! #tEAm
While this is a great initiative, I remain skeptical about its real reach and impact for several reasons: 1. From personal experience, I’ve seen firsthand how hostile large organizations can be toward smaller companies, associations, and groups like mine. Ironically, these smaller entities are often the ones in direct contact with primary consumers—both gamers and non-gamers—and the majority of gaming communities. 2. It seems that in some regions (perhaps just here in Cameroon), large companies, associations, and organizations create barriers among themselves. They view smaller organizations as potential rivals, which stifles growth. Many of these big players organize expensive events that don’t necessarily contribute to community development. Their focus tends to be on professional gamers, limiting the growth potential for others who may benefit more from these events. 3. While this may be unique to Cameroon, many large organizations feel the need to maintain their "big organization" status. This often means that only a fraction (50% or less) of the resources go into truly impactful events.
4. Lastly, this might only apply to Cameroon or other "non-dedicated" countries. Unfortunately, this is why I’m doubtful—there’s a lot of talk but little tangible potential in these initiatives.
Love EA's push for accessibility! Ever thought how this could change the whole tech industry?
Michelle R.
1w
What if I don't feel like it?
Nice hahahaha
Game design, narrative and production consultant with proven track record of 16 years in game dev and over 40 mil in sales of projects I participated on.
3hSo are we going to see some announcements of authentic high social impact games with disabilities being the main topic so that the healthy majority can experience how it feels to be disabled through a videogame? I suppose that would actually give disabled people some voice and would allow them to not just be force-inserted into traditional games or used as a means for lowering their employer's taxes, but make some games of their own where they have all the creative freedom and power to show the world how life is for them. The ball is on your side Electronic Arts (EA).