For Your Information Fall 2008

GET YOUR GAME ON!
Adding to the evidence that video games can be good for you, a survey conducted by Information Solutions Group on behalf of PopCap Games found that 94 per cent of respondents with disabilities believe playing casual games provides physical or mental benefits (compared to 80 per cent of casual gamers overall). Com- mon benefits cited included stress relief, mood lifting, distraction from issues related to disability, learning (pattern recognition, typing skills), and improved concentration and manual dexterity.

The survey also found that more than 20 per cent of players of casual video games in the U.S. have a physical, mental or developmental disability, and players with dis- abilities play more often, for more hours per week, and for longer periods per session.

Speaking of video gaming that yields benefits, Abilities was delighted to hear that Wheelies, a disability-themed nightclub in the online game Second Life – that’s right, a virtual hangout – has been honoured with the Revolutionary Award at the first UK Catalyst Awards for social technology and action in London, England.

The club is a place to make friends, hang out, discuss disability issues and offer mutual support. Simon Stevens, an independent disability consultant who has cerebral palsy, launched it in 2006. Already, over 5,000 people – er, avatars – with and without disabilities from more than 30 countries have visited Wheelies.

For info about the UK Catalyst Awards, visit www.ukcatalystawards.com. Better yet, drop in at Wheelies for a (virtual) pint!

HARMONY MOVEMENT
Harmony Movement is a not-for-profit organization that works with schools, youth groups and community organizations to promote diversity and combat discrimination. As this issue of Abilities went to press, preparations were under way for the annual Harmony Award Banquet, to be held on November 6 in Richmond Hill, Ont. This year’s recipi- ent is retired Lieutenant-General and Senator Roméo Dallaire, for his courage and determination to remove the stigma associated with mental illness and mood disorders. The gala’s co-chairs are Abilities’ editor, Raymond Cohen, and Arlene Perly Rae. To learn more about Harmony Movement, visit www.harmony.ca.

STATSCAN SURVEY FINDS HIGHER EMPLOYMENT
The most recent Participation and Activity Limitation Survey (PALS) showed that more people with “activity limitations” in Canada are working. Statistics Canada reports “strong growth” in employment rates, with an increase from 49.3 per cent in 2001 to 53.5 per cent in 2006.

PALS uses census data to track activity limitations in 10 disability areas: hearing, seeing, communication, mobility, agility, pain, learning, memory, developmental and psychological. Employment rates rose for all types, with the largest increase among those with learning disabilities (from 32.5 per cent in 2001 to 41.8 per cent in 2006).

The government uses PALS data to plan services and programs for Canadians with disabilities 15 to 64 years old to increase their participation in society. For more information, visit www.statcan.ca/Daily/English/080724/d080724a.htm.