Esports for People with Disabilities

Abstract

It is estimated that 15 to 20% of gamers have disabilities (Hamilton, 2016). While there is a lack data on how many people with disabilities watch or play esports, observations and anecdotal evidence show that they are present in esport spaces as participants and spectators. This chapter discusses what disabilities are, how they affect participation in esports, forms of Paraesports, ethical and social issues around inclusion of people with disabilities in esports, and prime accommodations that can facilitate playing and spectating esports. Key highlights include: 1) Gamers with visual, auditory, motor, mobility, and cognitive disabilities, as well as neurodiverse gamers, are part of esports spaces, 2) Paraesports, like the Paralympics, have become a topic of debate between questions of objectification and exploitation versus inclusion, awareness building, and social value, 3) Various game adjustments, accommodations, and assistive technology can help to facilitate and improve participation in esports for people with disabilities, 4) Modifications to rules, social spaces, social interaction dynamics, and our mindset are essential along with accommodations, and 5) Paraesports can be a vehicle to challenge social dogma and perceptions of disability.