Harpers Ferry, WV – The AbleGamers Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to bringing accessibility to the digital entertainment space, is proud to announce Justin D. Russo, the genius graphic designer who created the iconic video game posters series that became an overnight sensation through his KickStarter project, has lent us his awesome talent. Russo has designed and produced an original SIGNED, limited edition poster to support the AbleGamers Foundation.

Called Everyone Can Game, the poster shows the collective power and camaraderie of gamers around the world regardless of ability. Three gamers salute the world of video games holding a different controller in a pose of strength and unity as if to say, “Game on, my friends.”

In our opinion, his work stands out in a crowded field of designers, with an eye for minimalist design and impactful composition. We know of no other artist who is performing art at such a high-quality level in this space, and we’re thrilled that he’s working with the Ablegamers Foundation to support our efforts to make video games accessible to everyone.

The artwork is 18" x 24" and will be screen-printed locally in Chicago. Russo’s poster will make a great addition to your game room, and is sure to be a collectible item.

For your donation of $55 we will send you this limited edition poster.

About The AbleGamers Foundation

The AbleGamers Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that runs AbleGamers.com, which provides news, reviews, and advice on disabled technology and the accessibility of mainstream video game titles.  As an alternative to Serious Gaming, mainstream video games supply many disabled individuals and veterans with rehabilitation as well as social stimulation in situations where they may otherwise be shut out of “normal everyday life.”

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Harpers Ferry, WV – The AbleGamers Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to bringing accessibility to the digital entertainment space, is proud to announce it has been asked to be the first organization to benefit from The Mary Margaret Network Insiders program.

The Mary Margaret Network Insiders program, the number one job listings website for video game developers and executives, is now offering over $6000 worth of job filling assistance for companies that support The Ablegamers Foundation mission.

For a donation of $3500 or more to The Ablegamers Foundation those seeking high-level skilled talent in the digital entertainment space will receive free entry into this highly exclusive membership club which includes:

10 free priority job postings (Value $1500) on the Mary-Margaret Network job board.  $25 per 30-day priority job posting (Value $150 each per month) on the Mary-Margaret Network job board for the 12 months following your donation.  MMN’s regular guarantee applies: If your company doesn’t fill the position after three months of consecutive posting, MMN will do a free profile on your company (Value $2500) in their newsletter.

Donators will also be benefiting the disabled gaming community and enabling the foundation to continue reaching out to developers and disabled gamers with providing information on how best to connect disabled individuals with the AAA games they love.

About The AbleGamers Foundation

The AbleGamers Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity that runs AbleGamers.com, which provides news, reviews, and advice on disabled technology and the accessibility of mainstream video game titles.  As an alternative to Serious Gaming, mainstream video games supply many disabled individuals and veterans with rehabilitation as well as social stimulation in situations where they may otherwise be shut out of “normal everyday life.”

About The Mary Margaret Network

The Mary Margaret Network works with a diverse clientele in the game, mobile, web, multimedia, IT, TV and film industries. We successfully fill positions in every department at all levels, including production, engineering, design, art, marketing, sales, operations and executive management.  Building connections to create stronger careers, companies and industries.

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For more information about this topic, the AbleGamers foundation, AbleGamers.com, donating, or to schedule an interview with Mark Barlet, President of The AbleGamers Foundation, call 202 258 1937 or email Steve Spohn at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

For more information about this topic, Mary Margaret Network, Mary Margaret Network Insider program, or to schedule an interview with Mary Margaret, call 1 877 662 3777 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The AbleGamers Foundation is pleased to announce that Dr. Nathan "Ben" Herz, Program Director of Occupational Therapy at the Medical College of Georgia has joined the Board of Directors of the AbleGamers Foundation in the capacity of Vice President.

Dr. Herz, received his Occupational therapy Doctorate from Creighton University in 2004. He has 28 years in the field of occupational Therapy. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at the Medical College of Georgia and is involved with the MCG Movement Disorders Center for Excellence, since 2004. He has been a part of the Interdisciplinary Movement Disorders Clinic since 2004. He has partnered with Dr. John Morgan the MCG Centers Director and he began doing researching on the Wii after its release in 2006, He has presented his research on the Wii to the National Parkinson's Foundation (NPF) Young Onset conference in Atlanta in August 2008. He is currently funded by the NPF for research using the Wii as a modality for the treatment of PD. Dr. Herz has spoken Nationally and Internationally on games in health primarily using the Wii across the lifespan.

"I truly believe that the AbleGamers Foundation will be able to take it's mission to the next level with Ben on the board," says Mark Barlet, President of the AbleGamers Foundation, " He has the expertise and drive to see the AbleGamers Foundation to the next level."

Dr. Herz was approved by the board on June 6th by majority vote by the Board of Directors.

BOSTON (May 17, 2010) -- The gaming industry is set to lose $3 billion in potential revenue along with more than 30 million customers as Americans who play video games continue to age and become disabled, according to a new white paper co-written by The AbleGamers Foundation and 7-128 Software.

In “Gaming on a Collision Course: Averting significant revenue loss by making games accessible to older Americans,” the authors say the topic of accessibility will gain importance within the gaming industry as the typical gamer is now older than ever. In 2008, the average game player age was 35 years old, up from 30 years old in 1995, according to the Entertainment Software Association. Around 25% of the nation’s gamers are 50 and older, ESA estimates.

With the graying of the American gamer the most significant industry trend today, video game makers must include accessibility into their products or risk a collision in the next five years that would result in the significant loss of both sales and customers.

“This papers clearly demonstrates that the face of the typical gamer is changing and game manufacturers need to adapt or risk alienating what is eventually going to become a significant customer base,” says Eleanor Robinson, COO of 7-128 Software and the paper’s co-author. “The good news is that by making video games accessible to gamers with disabilities, which includes older gamers, game manufacturers will unlock a lucrative, paying market of consumers for years to come,” she adds.

Robinson, who is also a gamer and in her seventies, will discuss these findings today at Game Accessibility Day, a one-day program sponsored by Games for Health, and hosted by the AbleGamers Foundation, which is being held at the Hyatt Harborside hotel in Boston, Mass, May 25th 2010.

Ralph Baer, known as the father of video games, wrote the white paper’s forward. Baer created the first home gaming console and is considered a pioneer in the gaming space. The paper is includes essential facts on gaming and accessibility from Deloitte Internet Research, the Pew Internet and American Life Project, and the U.S. Census Bureau, among others. It also includes detailed statistics and demographics related to vision, hearing, mobility and cognitive disabilities in America.

”Many gamers started playing Atari in the ‘70s and ‘80s and are now 50 years and older. They may still want to be gamers, but, as they age, they may not be able to because of disability or health conditions. They’re essentially being shut out,” says Stephanie Walker, a founder of The AbleGamers Foundation and the paper’s co-author. "The time for making games accessible is now," she says.

For more information, download the white paper at The AbleGamers Foundation website (http://aging.ablegamers.org)

For more information on Game Accessibility Day, go to www.gameaccessibilityday.org

About The Authors

Stephanie Walker is a founding member and treasurer of the AbleGamers Foundation, a nonprofit that advocates greater accessibility in the digital entertainment space. In 1999 Stephanie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. As a lifelong gamer, she endeavors to continue gaming with her disability. She has made it her mission to help others become or remain a gamer, regardless of ability.