SpecialEffect
 | |
| Formation | 2007 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Mick Donegan |
| Type | NGO |
| Legal status | Charity |
| Headquarters | The Stable Block, Cornbury Park, Charlbury, Oxfordshire OX7 3EH, United Kingdom |
| Website | https://www.specialeffect.org.uk/ |
SpecialEffect is a charity based in the United Kingdom founded in 2007.[1] It specializes in helping physically disabled people, specifically children, play video games. The organization works with developers to create specialized game control devices as well as making their games more accessible.[2] This includes controllers using inputs from any part of the body that can move, such as small toe movements or the player's gaze.[3]The ability to play video games, now seen as an almost universal pastime, can help improve the mental health of disabled people who otherwise could not play them.[4]
History
SpecialEffect was founded by Mick Donegan, a former teacher, who remains its CEO.[3] It was created to focus on the people with the most complex physical disabilities, not only allowing them to play games but doing so effectively and with the greatest chance of winning.[1] The organization uses a team of specialists including occupational therapists and a technical and software design team.[1]
Charity
SpecialEffect has organized charity events to fund its ventures such as GameBlast and One Special Day.[5] Well-established companies as well as trending game designers have aided in creating charity events such as the 2020 video game developers of Fall Guys, whom setup an event to award the highest donator during a specified time.[6]
References
- ^ a b c "SpecialEffect at 10: "We've increased our work tenfold"". MCV. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- ^ Beach, Jonathan (22 October 2015). "Meet the Charity That's Helping the Disabled Get Into Video Gaming". Vice. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- ^ a b "PC Gamer – August 2013: How charity SpecialEffect are working to make gaming accessible to all « Andrew Tsai Technical Support in North and Central London". andrewtsai.co.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- ^ "Mark Saville on how SpecialEffect 'levels the playing field' for people with physical disabilities". www.rcpsych.ac.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
- ^ "Events | SpecialEffect". www.specialeffect.org.uk. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- ^ "Battle of the Brands". Twitter. FallGuysGame. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 19 August 2020.