Adapted games make family game night more inclusive
Family game night should be fun for everyone.
But many classic games are not designed with accessibility in mind. Small pieces can be hard to grip. Spinners may require fine motor control. Dice may be difficult to roll. Fast-paced games can leave some players watching instead of participating.
That is where adapted games can make a real difference.
Enabling Devices offers accessible versions of popular games like Pie Face, Bingo, Hi Ho Cherry-O, Tic Tac Toe, adapted dice rollers, switch spinners, and more. Many are designed to work with ability switches, larger buttons, or other modifications that make it easier for people with disabilities to play.
And games are not just fun. They can help teach problem solving, build motor skills, strengthen academic skills like counting and comparing, and create stronger family connections.
The real win is simple: everyone gets to take a turn.
A breath-powered controller for computer access
A new open-source assistive technology project called L.I.P.S. is getting attention for its creative approach to computer control.
L.I.P.S. stands for Linear Interface for Paralysis Support. It uses breath input, along with subtle lip and mouth movements, to help people with limited hand and arm mobility control a computer.
The device combines sip-and-puff controls with a small joystick. That can allow users to move a cursor, click, scroll, and trigger keyboard shortcuts without using their hands.
What makes this especially interesting is that the project is open source. The hardware files, firmware, CAD models, and documentation are available for others to build, modify, and improve.
Assistive technology can be expensive, so open-source projects like this matter. They may not replace commercial devices for everyone, but they can make innovation more affordable, flexible, and easier to adapt to individual needs.
AI is reshaping assistive technology
AI is quickly becoming part of the assistive technology conversation.
Some of the biggest trends include AI-powered captions, speech recognition, image description, object recognition, real-time translation, and tools that help people interact with digital content more naturally.
One important shift is that accessibility features are increasingly being built into mainstream devices and platforms. That means people may not always need separate tools for every task. In some cases, the phone, computer, or app they already use may become more accessible over time.
AI may also help assistive technology become more personalized. For example, speech recognition tools can learn a person’s voice or speech patterns. Other tools may eventually adapt to a person’s routines, preferences, and environment.
That is exciting, but it also comes with real concerns.
AI tools can make mistakes. They can misunderstand information. They can collect sensitive data. And when someone relies on a tool for access, communication, or independence, trust matters.
The future of assistive technology should not just be smarter. It should be more reliable, more personal, and more respectful of the people using it.
100% free & spam-free. Unsubscribe any time.