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Photo provided by Powered by AbleGamers partner, Ability KC<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Humans are social beings. We spend much of our lives around the people that we care about and enjoy being with, like our family, friends, romantic partners, acquaintances, co-workers, and more. While isolation and alone time can be necessary for us and good for our mental health, we still require social interactions in some capacity.<\/span><\/p>\n Social isolation<\/b> is a term that\u2019s used to describe a lack of social connections. Individuals who are <\/span>socially isolated<\/b> have limited interactions with others throughout their daily lives. Social isolation can affect anyone, it can occur for many different reasons, and it can lead to a variety of adverse health outcomes. The potential <\/span>effects of social isolation<\/b><\/a> include:<\/span><\/p>\n And signs and <\/span>symptoms of social isolation<\/b> can involve:<\/span><\/p>\n The COVID-19 pandemic introduced many people around the world to social isolation and the effects it can have as billions of people were locked down at home. But even before the pandemic, there was a certain group of individuals that have always been at a higher risk of experiencing social isolation: people with disabilities (PWD). In this article, we\u2019ll discuss the prevalence of social isolation among PWD and ways to combat it.<\/span><\/p>\n Social isolation is a concern for everyone, but it is especially prevalent among people with disabilities. Just about <\/span>1 out of every 4 adults<\/span><\/a> in the United States\u2014over 60 million people\u2014have some kind of disability. Disabilities can range in type and severity, but can generally affect mobility, hearing, vision, cognition, self-care, and the ability to live independently. Because of these potential barriers, people with disabilities may face greater challenges when it comes to social interactions. Some of the reasons PWD may be more likely to experience feelings of social isolation include:<\/span><\/p>\n Over <\/span>40% of individuals<\/span><\/a> in the United States with a disability, mental health condition, or chronic disease report feelings of loneliness and social isolation. As mentioned earlier, <\/span>depression and social isolation<\/b> are closely linked. Studies show that <\/span>depression occurs more frequently<\/span><\/a> in adults with disabilities than in people without disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n On top of the increased occurrence of social isolation in PWD, its effects can be particularly severe for people with disabilities, since it may be more difficult to make any changes that could help. However, there are some things that can help combat the prevalence of social isolation for people with disabilities.<\/span><\/p>\n There are a few ways to reduce the risk of feeling socially isolated for people with disabilities. These efforts include things that PWD can personally do, as well as larger societal changes that can help create a more inclusive world. Here are a few ways to combat social isolation for PWD:<\/span><\/p>\n This can involve playing games, but also discussing them, coming up with strategies, sharing other interests, and more, which can lead to more social interactions, the development of social skills, and even new friendships. In fact, <\/span>84% of gamers around the world<\/span><\/a> state that playing video games helps them connect with others who share their interests.<\/span><\/p>\n At AbleGamers, our mission is to create opportunities that enable play in order to combat social isolation, foster inclusive communities, and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. We know that video games can be the perfect gateway to community participation, lifelong friendships, and unforgettable shared experiences. That\u2019s why it\u2019s crucial to ensure these experiences are developed with accessibility as a priority and inclusion as the goal.<\/span><\/p>\n We are working every day to make sure people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else for positive experiences through play. With our nearly two decades as pioneers in inclusive play, thousands of hours working with people with disabilities, and leading developers and engineers, we create opportunities for players to find inclusive places to play and connect with family and friends. Learn more about what we do here<\/a>, or help continue our crucial work by making a monetary donation<\/a> or purchasing something from our shop<\/a>! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\n
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The Relationship Between People With Disabilities and Social Isolation<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Ways To Combat Social Isolation for People With Disabilities<\/b><\/h2>\n
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