Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud
hosts AbleGamers Charity
By Tangerine Clarke
Senator Roxanne J. Persaud,
(D) 19th Senate District in
Brooklyn, presented a NYS Resolution
to Steven Spohn, COO
of AbleGamer Charity and Global
Gaming Citizen, on World
Global Accessibility Awareness
Day, May 18, alongside
New York Knicks Inaugural 2K
league Gaming Champions, and
Lead User Researcher, Jamaican
American, Greg Haynes.
Persaud, during a gaming
day initiative with the champions,
and Brookdale University
Hospital, where the game day
was held, said her office likes
to do things that are different,
with the inclusion of everyone
in her community.
As such, she chose to honor
the AbleGamers Charity under
the theme ‘Game Accessibility
Means Equality’ for its
steadfast commitment to the
community, noting, too often,
people with disabilities are
frowned upon and not included
in events.
“If you give people an opportunity,
they are able,” said the
politician, who praised the
AbleGamers Charity for their
work, noting that her office
reached out to schools and
other organizations that host
developmentally disabled and
physically disabled events to
include them in the initiative.
With millions of disability
Caribbean L 40 ife, May 24–30, 2019 B
citizens excluded from participating
in fun activities, Sen.
Persaud believes video games
are useful tools for disabled
gamers to create rich social
experiences they would not
otherwise be able to have.
“Games are a way to explore
and go on adventures without
going anywhere. Video games
also offer players the opportunity
to be on an equal playing
field, regardless of their disability,”
said the politician.
Adding that new technological
advancements allow people
with disabilities to play video
games like anyone else.
The day of gaming that had
hands-on demonstrations of
the technology, with experts
who make dreams come true,
headed by Greg Haynes, who
bring awareness to AbleGamers,
that has been in existence
for 15 years.
The researcher, who was
born and grew up, in Brooklyn,
thanked Caribbean Life being a
part of the Caribbean culture
in Brooklyn, and for covering
From left, front row, Lead User Researcher, Jamaican
American Greg Haynes, Steven Spohn, COO of AbleGamer
Charity, Senator Roxanne J. Persaud, and Knicks Inaugural
Gaming Champion, Adam Kideimati. Others are, Kyle Rudy,
head coach, Idris Richardson, Malik Hobson, Harry Hurst,
Eric Ward and Dayvon Curvy. Photo by Tangerine Clarke
the game day to benefit disability
gamers.
Haynes, and expert in
research, noted that he has
worked in the gaming industry
with mega developers Sony and
Microsoft, among others, that
have helped the organization
make games more accessible.
“We have helped a number
of people with disabilities, get
back into the game,” said Haynes
. He explained, that the charity’s
main goal is helping players,
who can’t play, get back to
the gaming.
The X-box adaptor controller
used by gamers was created
by AbleGamers eight years ago,
and developed with the help of
Microsoft, said Haynes, adding
that the handmade device cost
$100 and was available online
for purchase.
“The beautiful thing about
gaming in 2019, is, that, it is
enjoyed anywhere, there is a
console, a personal computer,
or mobile phone. These devices
help many gamers at their
homes with customized setups.
However, there are also communities
where people come
together and game,” said Haynes.
Gamers at play during Sen.
Roxanne J. Persaud’s Game
Day in Brooklyn.
Photo by Tangerine Clarke