Accessibility Awareness Month Interview Series: Kelli Dunlap and Noah Falstein

From pixelated adventures to powerful therapy tools, video games have evolved! Deep dive with us into the realm of inclusive game development, featuring Kelli Dunlap, PsyD and Executive Director of Take This and Noah Falstein, a legend and an icon of the game development world since the 80s. We'll explore how elements like adjustable interfaces, focus aids, and tailored game mechanics can transform the gaming experience for individuals with invisible disabilities and mental health challenges. This is your chance to hear from the experts who pioneered games that not only entertain but also heal and empower.

Join us on Twitch, YouTube, and LinkedIn for this insightful conversation as we delve into the crucial role of accessibility in indie game design.
There will be time for live Q&A during this discussion so come prepared with your questions.

About the Speakers
Noah Falstein has been a professional game developer since 1980, and was among the first 10 employees at LucasArts, The 3DO Company, and Dreamworks Interactive. He has served as the first elected Chair of the IGDA, and was Chief Game Designer at Google and is currently consulting for the George Lucas Educational Foundation. His work focuses primarily on games for health, and has been consulting and advising for companies from startups to FAANG, training physicians, treating ADHD, Depression, Stroke, Trauma, Myopia, and more.

Kelli Dunlap, PsyD, MA is the Executive Director at Take This, the original mental health and games non-profit. She brings on over a decade of experience working at the intersection of mental health and games, including esports, community management, and game design, and uses this experience to inform and drive Take This’ mission. In addition to her work at Take This, Dr. Dunlap is a licensed clinical psychologist, holds a Masters in game design, and serves as a researcher-in-residence at American University’s Game Center. She is an award-winning game designer and has collaborated on game design projects with organizations including the National Institute of Mental Health, UNESCO, VOX Media, and U.S. Congressional staffers. Dr. Dunlap is an internationally recognized researcher and speaker on the intersection of games and mental health, especially pertaining to mental health representation in games and ethical game design.

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