Video Game Trends Over Time for People with Disabilities

Abstract

This study examines patterns of recreational video gaming from 2017-2021 for adults with disabilities. Analysis of video gaming trends was completed using data from a self-administered online survey of US Adults with disabilities (N=1,106) to understand patterns of gaming across disability types and demographic groups. 45.9% of respondents play video games. Of respondents who play video games, 62.4% play on a console, 68.4% play on their phone, and 57.9% play on their computer. People in three disability groups play video games more than people who have different disabilities: people with anxiety, people who have upper extremity limitations, and people with fatigue and limited stamina. Conversely, people who have limitations seeing or are blind play video games less than people with other types of disabilities. Males and younger adults with disabilities report playing video games less than females and older adults with disabilities. People with a graduate degree report playing video games less than people with lower levels of education