Grant Helps Community-Based Adaptive Gaming Program

March 16, 2026

A two-year initiative led by Drew Redepenning, MD, third-year resident within the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh goals to develop entry to adaptive gaming for people residing with spinal wire damage. The undertaking, “Empowered eSports: A Community-Based Adaptive Gaming Program for Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury,” is supported by funding from the Craig H. Nielsen Foundation and is being performed in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh Model Center on Spinal Cord Injury and the Pittsburgh Chapter of the United Spinal Association.

The undertaking grew out of analysis exhibiting that many individuals are all for adaptive gaming however run into the identical sensible issues. Specialized controllers will be costly, many clinicians are unfamiliar with how the techniques work, and sufferers typically have no idea what tools exists or the right way to set it up.

“We kept seeing the same issues come up. People couldn’t afford the equipment, didn’t know what to get, or didn’t have anyone to help them set it up,” Dr. Redepenning says.

The program runs common in-person gaming classes the place individuals use adaptive controllers, strive totally different units, and get assist configuring tools for their very own wants. Staff help with setup and troubleshooting so individuals can give attention to studying how the techniques work and the right way to play utilizing their most well-liked video games and platforms.

These classes additionally give individuals an opportunity to see how others use adaptive techniques. Participants can examine tools, study new setup approaches, and observe how totally different management strategies accommodate totally different bodily talents.

Some individuals want extra individualized help. The undertaking contains one-on-one assessments to find out which controllers and enter techniques match an individual’s bodily talents, endurance, and gaming objectives. Equipment decisions depend upon the kinds of video games somebody desires to play, the platform they use, and the sorts of actions they’ll repeat reliably.

“Choosing equipment is a process that involves more than just what someone can physically do,” Dr. Redepenning says. “It has to match the games they want to play and how those games are controlled. It’s involved and highly patient-specific.”

Grant funding additionally helps cowl the price of adaptive gaming tools for individuals who would in any other case be unable to afford it. After tools is offered, employees proceed working with individuals to make sure techniques are correctly configured and stay usable over time.

Another a part of the undertaking focuses on schooling. Many individuals can’t attend in-person classes, so the workforce is increasing on-line supplies that designate how adaptive gaming techniques work and the way they are often custom-made. This effort builds on GamingReadapted.com, a web site developed by Dr. Redepenning that gives educational guides, tools descriptions, and demonstration movies.

“Many people simply don’t know what equipment is available or how to get started,” Dr. Redepenning says.

By combining tools entry, hands-on help, and sensible schooling, the Empowered eSports undertaking helps people with spinal wire damage take part in gaming actions that help social interplay and recreation.

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