Game On For Inclusion with Overjoyed!
Plan Your #NoControllerNecessary Accessibility Awareness Event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Millis, Mass. April 2, 2024
Have you ever attempted to play a game in a unique way just for a fun challenge with your community? For many gamers living with a disability, the not-so-fun challenge often becomes “is this game accessible enough for me to play at all?” That’s why Our Odyssey, a nonprofit connecting young adults impacted by a rare or chronic condition through socially-inclusive platforms and events, created #NoControllerNecessary - to increase awareness of the need for accessible way to play.
#NoControllerNecessary involves playing a game on stream only using Our Odyssey’s Overjoyed Accessibility Software, chatting about accessibility, and fundraising to help Our Odyssey move accessibility forward! Overjoyed was developed by Our Odyssey to help people facing physical challenges play games on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Game Pass, and PlayStation Plus Premium, using only mouse or eye movement.
Are you interested in hosting your own #NoControllerNecessary accessibility awareness event?
Then click here to join our Discord server, and click here to learn more about Overjoyed and purchase it through the Microsoft Store with proceeds benefitting Our Odyssey. If you need assistance or have any questions, please email overjoyed@ourodyssey.org. Thank you!
One of the primary leaders behind the launch of Overjoyed is Anthony DeVergillo, a 31-year-old accessibility advocate living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. “I have often struggled with severe social isolation, especially now that I can barely leave home, so I made it my mission to raise awareness for social inclusion for young adults living with a rare or chronic condition,” says Anthony. Overjoyed addresses the digital accessibility gap & empowers individuals with limited dexterity or mobility to socialize through gaming.
“The goal of Our Odyssey’s partnership with Overjoyed is to utilize their software and knowledge about digital accessibility to expand Our Odyssey’s ability to provide more varied inclusive and accessible virtual social activities,” said Jean Campbell, Board Chair of Our Odyssey. “Video games are an exceptional and growing way that people connect and enjoy themselves, which has made Our Odyssey’s top priority to be making the activity as accessible as possible for those with disabilities.”
Nintendo Switch support for Overjoyed was made possible through a partnership with the controller company 8BitDo and their Micro adapter. According to 8BitDo, “We believe everyone deserves to enjoy gaming. That's why accessibility is a core focus in our designs. We want gamers with limited mobility to experience the full joy of gaming. By collaborating with Our Odyssey, we aim to make playing games easier for all gamers!"
Over the years, feedback from Our Odyssey community members has shed light on the challenges caused from inadequate physical and digital accessibility, significantly affecting their quality of life. While Our Odyssey has actively supported initiatives aimed at improving physical accessibility, the realization of existing technology gaps in digital accessibility has prompted the organization to take action. Overjoyed aims to bridge the digital accessibility gap, empowering individuals with limited mobility to navigate and engage with digital platforms more inclusively and effectively.
Together, individuals from around the world are invited to join in shaping a future where everyone can be overjoyed about accessibility and social inclusion.