Harpers Ferry, WV (June 23, 2016) – AbleGamers — the leading charitable organization wielding the power of video games to break down the barriers of economic and social isolation for people with disabilities — announces the addition of six advocates and supporters of their cause to their Advisory Board: Rami Ismail (co-founder of Vlambeer), Mario R. Kroll (founder & principal ÜberStrategist, former VP, Kalypso Media USA), Susana Meza Graham (Chief Operating Officer, Paradox Interactive), Andrea Rene (host, producer and writer), Chuck Wendig (best-selling author, Star Wars: The Aftermath Trilogy), and Kurt Yaeger (actor, Sons of Anarchy, Quarry).
The AbleGamers Advisory Board will work closely alongside the organization to advocate for those with physical and mental challenges, encouraging and educating about accessibility in video games. Board members will leverage their diverse entertainment industry backgrounds to bring greater awareness to AbleGamers’ key programs. These programs are Includification (the promotion of accessible design and tools in video games) and Expansion Packs (comprehensive care packages, filled with assistive gaming technologies donated to disabled gamers and assisted living facilities, complete with setup, usage, and maintenance support).
“Having followed and supported AbleGamers’ work, including their includification.com project, for many years, I’ve learned that often tiny additions or changes can make the difference between a game being accessible or unplayable for those with disabilities,” said Rami Ismail, co-founder of Vlambeer. “I am very excited to support AbleGamers’ efforts to reach out to developers and help educate them on how relatively easy it is to make their games accessible to a much broader audience.”
“It has been my honor to work with AbleGamers over several years,” said Mario R. Kroll, of interactive-entertainment-focused publicity and marketing firm ÜberStrategist. “Watching them grow into a real force for positive change within the industry has been spectacular and I’m thrilled to assist in opening additional doors for them to help accelerate their growth so they can shine an even more powerful spotlight on this great cause.”
“I’ve been impressed by AbleGamers’ passion, drive, ambition, and ability to make a difference in the lives of the disabled,” said Susana Meza Graham, Chief Operating Officer of Paradox Interactive. “I’m lending my business expertise and industry experience to help the team dream bigger, reach higher, and get there quicker, positively touching the lives of an even greater number of individuals challenged by disabilities.”
“By joining the Advisory Board of AbleGamers I hope to increase their overall visibility and help guide them to connect with key media and influencers,” added entertainment personality and GameStop TV host Andrea Rene. “Discoverability is an ongoing issue across the video game industry, and I will do whatever I can to help the AbleGamers team spread the word about their mission to offer hope to and boost the happiness of gamers with disabilities.”
“Properly used technology can change the world,” said best-selling author Chuck Wendig. “AbleGamers understands that and helps make lives better through video games and the technology that powers them. I’m happy to be a small part of the good that they do.”
“AbleGamers is an amazing group that’s passionate about supporting people often left out of mainstream gaming,” said actor Kurt Yaeger. “I am thrilled to help empower gamers of all types to have the fun and support we deserve. With such support, we are all able to achieve much more than we think possible.”
About AbleGamers
The AbleGamers Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity that wields the power of video games to break down the barriers of economic and social isolation for people with disabilities. Through received support and donations, AbleGamers provides disabled gamers with assistive technologies (including their Expansion Pack program) that allow those with limited real-world mobility to experience what it is like to walk, run, climb, drive and even fly – in a virtual world. Via their Includification initiative, AbleGamers additionally advises developers and publishers on how to best incorporate accessibility options so that their video game titles may reach and appeal to the widest and most diverse audience possible. To read AbleGamers articles, or to find out how your support or donations can help them positively impact an even greater number of individuals with disabilities, please visit www.ablegamers.com.
