If you have a 60 please do see and share Tom's SpecialEffect story, another amazing example of what your fundraising support makes possible! Tom has a unique way of playing his PC games. His hand and finger movements are restricted due to an undiagnosed neuromuscular condition, so he uses a chopstick to press keys on the left side of his keyboard with one hand, and controls a gaming mouse with the other, although he can’t use the side buttons. It’s let him enjoy a range of games up to now, but he was keen to enjoy more action-oriented titles like No Man’s Sky and Shadow of Doubt, which effectively needed more key presses than he could currently manage. Our specialist assessment team worked with him to carefully examine options that might usefully add to his existing range of controls and abilities. They began by trialling a chin-controlled joystick that had the potential to be an effective way to control the WASD keys, and suggested that two small switches fixed firmly to the top of his mouse could bring its side buttons into reach of his fingers. Although his left hand was clenched, he was able to use it to press down on two small switches if they were precisely positioned on his wheelchair tray. Tom also had a degree of foot movement, so the team looked at harnessing that by adding a suitable small switch underneath his left foot, and another switch attached to a customised extension to his right footplate. The team loaned the extended setup to Tom so that he had could put it through its paces, and were delighted to hear recently that he’s quickly grown accustomed to the new equipment and can now enjoy playing a greater range of games more easily. We’re so glad we were able to suggest a setup that’s built on Tom’s existing skills. It’s giving him greater gaming independence and inclusion, and we’ll be there for him if he needs more support and advice in the future.
About us
We're a charity that's helping everyone with disabilities to enjoy video games for fun, inclusion and rehabilitation. We know there's no one-size-fits-all way of doing this. That's why we're not about sending out free games or video game equipment. In fact we don't sell anything at all. We visit people to find out exactly what they want to play, and what they need to play it. We'll then lend them the equipment they need, and support them until they can get the best out of it. By committing time, patience and expertise, we can open the door to self-esteem, confidence and a better quality of life.
- Website
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http://www.specialeffect.org.uk
External link for SpecialEffect
- Industry
- Computer Games
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- Charlbury, Oxfordshire
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2007
- Specialties
- Video games and Disability
Locations
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Primary
The Stable Block
Cornbury Park
Charlbury, Oxfordshire OX7 3EH, GB
Employees at SpecialEffect
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Oscar Clark
(He/Him) Chief Executive Officer at Fundamentally Games Ltd (Bringing Games To Live)
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Stig Strand
C- Suite and Executive Games Industry Recruiter - Ambassador at SpecialEffect
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Johnny Minkley
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Nick Streeter, SpecialEffect
Working with SpecialEffect's brilliant supporters and partners to help change lives through technology and video games.
Updates
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SpecialEffect Ambassador Robin Beanland is setting off for the third and final time on the gruelling 980 mile route from Lands End to John O’Groats for the third & final time on September 7th. Robin along with so many of his friends at Rare Ltd have been passionate supporters of SpecialEffect for so many years and we are so very grateful to Robin and his generous sponsors. https://lnkd.in/eeg9jUMC
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Whilst the release of the PlayStation Access controller means that support for accessibility switch use is now available using a first-party controller, some players may be looking to add additional switches to their controller set-up. Find out how in our latest GameAccess article: https://lnkd.in/e6JU-dKY
PlayStation 5 (4) Reassignable Jacks Controller | Evil Controllers
https://gameaccess.info
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“Children are showing compassion and love to their classmate via the AV1.” Find out more about SpecialEffect’s BubbleBuster project, and how we’re helping to tackle the isolation of young people who can’t go to school due to medical risk. https://lnkd.in/eZt22jgC
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We’ve loved sharing our stories and more about our work this #DisabilityPrideMonth! If you would like to support our work levelling the playing field for physically disabled people all over the world, there are so many ways to do so: https://lnkd.in/gSM-Jagf
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For #GameBlast25, Paige Harvey wants to put together the biggest Disabled Stream Team the internet has ever seen to support SpecialEffect's work! Please share with your creator friends and get in touch if you'd like to be involved in levelling the playing field for disabled gamers next February!
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We can’t keep it in any longer! #GameBlast25 will be taking place between February 21-23, 2025! We’re so thankful to the game devs, companies, streamers, videomakers and artists who have supported SpecialEffect and GameBlast over the years and hope to see you again in 2025! 🧡💙 Be sure to get in touch with Paige Harvey here or via paige@specialeffect.org.uk to find out how you or your company can get involved! And a massive thank you to Faz D for creating this artwork: https://lnkd.in/emd8Jvsr
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Wishing all *200* SpecialEffect runners the very best for this Sunday's Saucony London 10k, with almost £20,000 already raised! Thank you to all our amazing runners that include representatives from post race event sponsors Sharkmob and Rocksteady Studios Ltd alongside many other companies including Mubadala Capital Hasbro MLC (Magna Ludum Creatives) Glowmade Soul Assembly Playstack Devolver Digital Firefly Studios Limited NaturalMotion Games Saltwater Games Tencent Games Sports Interactive (SI) Take-Two Interactive Trailmix Games HundredStar Games and more! What an incredible show of support, thank you everyone 💙 https://lnkd.in/e7z8WwKv
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As One Special Day goes into its 8th year, we cannot say a thank you big enough to all our games incredible industry partners and supporters who have been by our side! We’re also incredibly excited to announce that this year’s One Special Day will be held on October 4, 2024! Although the main day will be October 4th do watch this space as we have some very special events and activities planned for September that will be part of this life changing campaign! If you are a games company who might be able to support please do contact Liam or Nick to find out more!
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