You may recall our previous article about AbleGamers, when we covered the work the foundation was doing with injured veterans. The first annual AbleGamers Day will be held on October 26th, 2013. Today, the 25th, the event will kick off with the largest online streaming event in the foundation’s history. This will lead up to an Accessibility Arcade in Loudon County, Virginia.

The Accessibility Arcade is a staple of the AbleGamers community outreach program, where assistive technology experts hold a one-day opportunity for people with disabilities and their loved ones to come out and see all of the various cutting-edge assistive technology available on the market today. Electronic Arts, winner of the 2012 AbleGamers Accessible Mainstream Game of the Year, will be offering copies of games as prizes at the event. “The launch AbleGamers Day will bring great value to the community of gamers with disabilities,” said Kelsey Wesley, Diversity & Inclusion Specialist, EA. “Our hope is that AbleGamers Day will be an ongoing event that raises awareness for many years to come.”

“AbleGamers has been working diligently to further the cause of game accessibility,” said Mark Barlet, President and Director of the AbleGamers Charity. “Between opening the recent AbleGamers Laboratory, planning next year’s conference schedule, and a few surprises we haven’t even announced. We decided to throw a celebration.”

“AbleGamers Day is the celebration of all the hard work that goes into our charity work. From the volunteers that work tirelessly, to the reviewers, researchers, writers, consultants, and especially to the generous donors who give their hard-earned money to support the disability community, we wanted to throw a celebration to honor everything that goes into giving gamers with special needs a voice in the gaming community.”

“There’s nothing quite like the feeling of helping those who need it the most,” said Steve Spohn, Chief Operations Officer and Outreach Chair for AbleGamers video game Charity. “We really feel like the sky is the limit on the celebration. This year it’s an online stream with an arcade opening simultaneously, next year maybe a new program or a conference, who knows. But I can tell you we are extremely excited about the future.”

Want to attend the events, or know someone who does? Here’s all the information you’ll need!

• Beginning at 1 PM EST, October 25, some of the biggest streaming websites in the Team Fortress 2 community, including Team Fortress 2 Warehouse, BackPack.tf, and Bazaar.tf, will come together to hold a 24+ hour event honoring AbleGamers Day. Everyone is encouraged to visit www.twitch.tv/ablegamers and www.twitch.tv/team/ablegamers. Participants are welcome to come by, watch the games, or even join in.
• Beginning at 10 AM, October 26, the first annual AbleGamers Day kicks off with our trademark Accessibility Arcade. The event will be held from 10 AM until 4 PM. Admission is free. Those wishing to attend should stop by the Cascades Library, located at 21030 Whitfield Pl, Potomac Falls, VA 20165. AbleGamers experts will be on hand to answer any questions from gamers with disabilities, loved ones and press.

About AbleGamers

The AbleGamers Charity is a 501(c)(3) public charity that runs AbleGamers.com, which provides news and reviews on the accessibility of mainstream video game titles, as well as consultation on assistive technology.  As an alternative to Serious Gaming, mainstream video games supply many disabled individuals and veterans with rehabilitation as well as social stimulation in situations where they may be otherwise shut out of society’s idea of normal everyday life.