{"id":3003,"date":"2018-07-12T04:32:18","date_gmt":"2018-07-12T09:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ablegamersorg.q46gb8t0-liquidwebsites.com\/?p=3003"},"modified":"2018-07-12T04:32:18","modified_gmt":"2018-07-12T09:32:18","slug":"assistive-gaming-equipment-to-childrens-hospital-in-new-orleans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ablegamers.org\/assistive-gaming-equipment-to-childrens-hospital-in-new-orleans\/","title":{"rendered":"Assistive Gaming Equipment to Children\u2019s Hospital in New Orleans"},"content":{"rendered":"

Video Game Charity Teams Up with Microsoft, Humble Bundle and HyperX to Provide CHNOLA Patients with Disabilities the Tech to Run, Jump, Fly and Play in a Virtual World<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

CHARLES TOWN, WV<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2013\u00a0AbleGamers Foundation<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0\u2014 the leading charity organization using the power of gaming to break down the barriers of economic and social isolation for people with disabilities \u2014 is overjoyed to announce today that Children\u2019s Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana (CHNOLA) is the recipient of the non-profit\u2019s July 2018 Expansion Pack<\/strong>. The Expansion Pack includes a donation of approximately $10,000 worth of assistive technologies, custom controllers, specialized training sessions and video games. Sharing AbleGamers\u2019 vision to allow everyone to enjoy video games, technology, and gaming brands Microsoft, Humble Bundle and HyperX have generously sponsored the upcoming event. The latest AbleGamers\u2019 Expansion Pack will enable hundreds of young patients with disabilities at CHNOLA \u2014 the only free-standing, full-service hospital exclusively for children in Louisiana and the Gulf South \u2014 to find comfort through, and integrate video games, into their treatment plans.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re so grateful for the support of AbleGamers and all the other sponsors who are donating items as part of this Expansion Pack,\u201d said Rene Assetta Guilbeau, Director, Child Life and Creative Therapies at CHNOLA. \u201cHospitals can be a scary place for children and research has shown that playing video games can serve as a much-needed distraction \u2013 or even help as a therapy tool. Providing this specialized equipment will allow our patients to enjoy video games regardless of their disabilities, which will hopefully brighten up their days and allow them to have a little fun.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

AbleGamers will begin installation of CHNOLA\u2019s Expansion Pack on July 12, 2018, serving the hospital\u2019s Gilda Trautman Newman Rehabilitation Center. Accessibility experts from AbleGamers will work with CHNOLA\u2019s healthcare professionals to install and maintain the contents of the Expansion Pack throughout the life of the project. Each pack contains AbleGamers\u2019 wide range of accessible technologies from custom-crafted controllers to professionally made accessibility devices such as Microsoft\u2019s recently announced\u00a0Xbox Adaptive Controller<\/strong>\u00a0(which was developed in part with the aid of AbleGamers Foundation), ensuring fun gaming experiences for patients regardless of their ability.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone deserves to have fun,\u201d said Mark Barlet, Executive Director and Founder of AbleGamers. \u201cWe believe with the right set of tools and training, every hospital can have the ability to use video games for fun and rehabilitation. Some patients have a permanent disability, some have a temporary disability, and others are just sick and need a place to retreat away from the pain. Video games provide that way to escape from your troubles, make new friends, or stay connected to loved ones. That\u2019s why I couldn\u2019t be happier we are able to help wonderful places like the New Orleans Children\u2019s Hospital.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"AbleGamers<\/p>\n

Some of the video game industry\u2019s biggest companies helped make this Expansion Pack possible through their generous donations:<\/p>\n

Microsoft is donating a bundle of family-friendly games as part of CHNOLA\u2019s Expansion Pack and hardware and peripheral maker\u00a0HyperX,<\/strong> a leader in the gaming community and frequently involved in charitable activities, is providing award-winning Could Alpha headsets, Alloy Elite RGB keyboard and Pulsefire Surge Mouse and mouse pads. Other AbleGamers partners providing support include video game retailer and publisher Humble Bundle, who contributed proceeds from their Humble Monthly Bundle.<\/p>\n

In addition to the upcoming Expansion Pack deployment at CHNOLA, AbleGamers is also teaming up with Microsoft Studios for the upcoming\u00a0Gears Pro Circuit and Halo Championship Series tournaments being held at the New Orleans Convention Center from July 13 \u2013 15, 2018. This unique eSports event will feature simultaneous standalone tournaments with non-stop action as players compete for a coveted prize pool. As part of this Expansion Pack, local members of AbleGamers and patients of CHNOLA will attend the event free-of-charge for a weekend of behind-the-scenes looks, gaming and to root for their favorite pro gamers.<\/p>\n

\"AbleGamers<\/p>\n

First launched in early 2016, the AbleGamers Expansion Pack program provides free customized packages of assistive gaming technologies to facilities with special needs patients as a way to ensure gaming experiences are widely accessible to everyone, including those with physical disabilities. In the program\u2019s first year alone, AbleGamers donated six Expansion Packs to various medical institutions, sending out $100,000 worth of accessible technology such as modified controllers and other devices, as well as providing on-site training and support. With the support of gamers and sponsors, AbleGamers aims to increase the size and frequency of future Expansion Packs. Those who would like to donate can do so at\u00a0https:\/\/ablegamers.donordrive.com\/donate<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\nVideo Game Charity Teams Up with Microsoft, Humble Bundle and HyperX to Provide CHNOLA Patients with Disabilities the Tech to Run, Jump, Fly and Play in a Virtual World CHARLES TOWN, WV\u00a0\u2013\u00a0AbleGamers Foundation\u00a0\u2014 the leading charity organization using the power…\n<\/div>\n
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