Specialeffect

Festival! For three days every August, SpecialEffect Towers finds itself bang in the middle of the Wilderness Festival site. Here's Liz and Frankie negotiating security to go to a gamer in Leicestershire. No, we don't get tickets, but there's some bangin' tunes coming in the window.

Very exciting to see that SpecialEffect Founder & CEO Dr Mick Donegan has been nominated for the Hospital Club #H100Awards in the Games Category.
You can cast your free vote in the different categories at the link below!
thehospitalclub.com/h100awards

The awesome Rob Camm & Mark Turpin from The Yogscast (and also SpecialEffect Vice President) showing chin controlled Mario Kart in Bristol on Thursday to the regional media covering Rob’s announcement that he will be taking part with family & friends in the Bristol Half Marathon in September.
Full story at the link below!
http://grtrun.org/OUFhF7

Another historic day for the games industry, their communities and disabled gamers alike... Following last year's success, #OneSpecialDay is back on Friday 28 Sept 2018!
gamesindustry.biz/…/2018-07-27-speciale ffect-aims-for-500-0…

This: the inspirational Rob Camm, whose spinal injury left him paraplegic, is taking on the Great Bristol Half Marathon in his powered wheelchair to raise funds for us. Wow.
That's two and a half hours controlling the speed and direction of an electric wheelchair, often going along rough roads, with just his chin.
“13.1 miles is further than I have ever driven continuously,” said Rob, “so there will be some considerable strain on my neck. My Dad is joining me and has never ru...n a tenth of that distance in the past 30 years so it will be a challenge for all of us.”
Awesome. Just awesome. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ro b-camm-marathon
See More

Forgot to tell you about Antony, one of the gamers we helped last week. He has a rare congenital syndrome that means he finds moving his left hand and arm difficult, so using his Xbox controller was really difficult. Frankie and Joe went over to see if we could help.
“He has good use of the right side of the controller with his right index finger,” said Joe, “But the controller kept moving around, so we put it on a lap tray to stabilise it.”
The team found that a PS4 controll...er mounted by his chin subbed really well for the left analogue stick, and they carefully positioned some small button switches on his tray to act as the bumpers. He also got on really well with a button switch he can press with his foot for the right trigger – great for accelerating in his racing games!
Antony's also a fan of the Telltale games series so we're looking forward to hearing how he gets on with The Walking Dead and Batman!
See More

Give it up for the amazing teams of hardy gaming industry souls who’ll be hurting REALLY badly next week.
First up, over 40 people from Creative Assembly, five from SEGA, and more than ten from Sega Hardlight Studios are walking up to 62 miles with no sleep in the Jurassic Coast Challenge. (https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/c a-2018).
Then there’s four days in the saddle for the cyclists from from King.com who’ll be pedalling from their London office to their colleagues ...at Activision Blizzard in Paris. A mere 230 miles! (https://www.justgiving.com/companyteams/ KOTR2018)
Thank you so much, you wonderful people. We are not worthy!
See More

Harrison’s over the moon to be back enjoying the games he loves. A stroke left the bubbly six-year-old from Northumberland with a weakness in his right arm and hand, so supporting and using a controller at the same time was tiring and uncomfortable. Our team worked out that using a heavy-duty mounting arm to hold his controller at just the right height would make all the difference, and now he’s loving his Minecraft and Plants vs Zombies again!
“Thank you so, so much!!!” said his mum., “One happy boy who can now also include his right hand in gaming!!”

Congratulations to all of our 125 British 10K runners for an incredible effort today, you did so well despite the blistering heat! Huge thanks also to those who were competing in challenge events elsewhere this weekend, including the Race to the Stones and Snowdonia Trail Half Marathon. We're so proud of you all and so incredibly grateful for your support! Go Team!!! 💙🧡

So great to be at the Develop Conference in Brighton this week to showcase a range of our work including eye control Minecraft to games developers from across the world.
The big news for us was that Bill who is responsible for R & D at the charity was awarded the Unsung Hero award at the Game Dev Heroes event details of which are at the link below.
https://www.specialeffect.org.uk/…/bill -donegan-wins-unsung…
... The week has also seen a series of events including GamerBake, Play@Develop & the annual end of Develop party for our Ambassador Simon Barrat raise much appreciated awareness & funds.
Thank you to all the volunteers on our stand and all the lovely people we met and who have supported us this week!
See More

Grab your beach towels and your flip flops - we're heading to Brighton this week for some seaside fun at Develop:Brighton!
You'll find us in the Develop:Brighton 2018 Expo at stand A-10, where you can come and chat to us about One Special Day 2018 and try out EyeMine - our eye-controlled Minecraft software.
There's no shortage of amazing fundraising events in aid of SpecialEffect in the evenings, either! On Tuesday you can find us at Loading Bar for Gamerbake Brighton (http...://bit.ly/2L5F8ny), Wednesday night is Play@Develop (http://bit.ly/2J5leHq), and on Thursday you can celebrate with us at Simon Barratt's birthday fundraiser (http://bit.ly/2J7ml9m) which also happens to be the launch of One Special Day 2018!
See you at #DevelopBrighton! 🏖️
See More

Last day of the TwinTown18 @eBay4CharityUK car auctions! They're coming home! http://bit.ly/2IH3Ng9

You don't have to be a Twin Towner, or from Oxfordshire, or French, to enjoy this corker of an evening planned for 7 September. It's going to be great night with a black tie twist and a SpecialEffect welcome warmer than a Central London pavement.
A few tables are still available so please email support@twintown.org.uk

Dean’s up for playing first person shooters, but he isn’t able to to hold a standard games controller because of his Motor Neurone Disease. With so much fantastic tech around that could potentially help, why did Frankie and Joe choose a heads, fingers, knees and toes solution? Glad you asked... http://bit.ly/2u30MS1

Sonic-wrapped BMW anyone? Bidding on these Twin Town classics is now open! http://bit.ly/2IH3Ng9

A funky elbow flick is the finishing touch on our setup for James, whose spinal cord injury means he can’t use his PS4 controller in the usual way. Now he’s back playing FIFA and Gran Turismo with his friends again! http://bit.ly/2tR61UA

Really pleased to formally announce that Alan Hartman, Head of the Forza Franchise for Xbox, has agreed to become a SpecialEffect Vice President. Alan and Turn 10 Studios have great friends of the charity for a number of years.
"Gaming can be the great equaliser - a place where people from around the world can play, compete, meet and socialise,” said Alan. “What I love about the work SpecialEffect does is that they not only bring joy to so many, but they provide a north star for the entire gaming industry as we strive to create a level playing field for every gamer."

Henrietta was back at SE Towers today showing off some frankly incredible mouthswitch skills to master Madden NFL 18. Nods of approval from Bryce Johnson from Xbox, along with Ujesh Desai and the team from Logitech, who've kindly visited to talk tech with our team.

Chicken Dinners have rarely tasted so good! Thank you to everyone involved in today's #ChickenForCharity Games Industry PUBG Tournament. After four closely contested rounds, Steel Media were crowned overall champions, with Splash Damage picking up the prize for the top fundraising team. Special mention to SEGA, GAME BELONG and PUBG Corp. for all their hard work behind the scenes. With over £10,000 raised in support of our work with disabled gamers, we all feel like "winner winners" here at SpecialEffect! 💙🐔

Humbled to be one of the top three Digital Charities of the Year at the Digital Leaders Awards in London tonight. Congrats to Age UK for winning - great charity!

What a great Charity ,and so different from the rest .The pleasure this will bring to young and old is special .



Game on People .

Visited Marta and Gavin today with our Son Corey. Very grateful for their time and expertise in getting Corey up an running with his gaming. He's already practising his driving on Sonic. Many thanks and we think you are brilliant. We will keep you updated with his progress.

This fantastic company. Made my gaming experience more hand on... thank you so much for making my one handed controller for xbox/playstation.

Given to me by my fantastic daughter Cloe Ashtari and son in law ( to be) Phil Southam from Multiplay.

The work these guys do is absolutely fantastic! Keep it up!

The SpecialEffect team recently visited our disabled 21 year old son, Liam, recently to help him play console games virtually independently for the very first time; to have been there to see the look of joy on Liam's face is to know why all at SpecialEffect and anyone out there who contributes their efforts and or money for the charity are simply awesome <3

Thanks to these guys I can play my games again I haven't played Xbox for ages but now I can they were very helpful I really appreciate the help I am enjoying trying it out at the moment

Such a worth while charity, keep up the good work guys, proud to say I have helped raise over £1000 for this charity with the guys from tpsuk (the playstation show uk)

So much love for this chairty. The stuff they do to help folk out is amazing. �

My son James uses eye gaze. It is fantastic for him as he is paraplegic and can only use his head for regular movement. He is able to choose music, pictures and sentences amongst other things. That is only the beginning. He is cognitive and can show how much he knows, eye gaze unlocks this for him. He loves using it and it is uplifting and emotional for his family to see him in action and to participate with him

It's wonderful to see how today's technologies, if applied for good and not for profit, are able to give joy to people with disabilities who would otherwise not be able to play videogames and have fun like all of us. Good job from Italy!

It was a pleasure meeting the team at Special Effect towers, the team are very hard working and truly inspiring, the work you guys and girls do to help people with disabilities play video games has made such a difference to people's lives, Ultimate Pro Gaming looks forward to working with you in the future.

I wanna say a big thank you to Gavin and Frankie from Special Effect for giving Dan JJ Ryan his gaming back after so many years... Thanks sooo much I know it was a challenge xxx

I read about your organization in the most recent Game Informer and I just wanted to say that what you are doing is amazing, truly amazing. You make the seemingly impossible possible and undoubtedly bring joy to those you help (for no charge, at that). This is the light at the end of the tunnel that shows many that there is always hope. Thank you.

I heard of you guys from the gameblast announcement through Runescape, I'd just love to say that you guys are one of the greatest charities i've ever heard of!I'm an avid gamer and have been for YEARS! What you're doing is just about the greatest thing you can do!

I discovered this charity while lurking the internet then fell in love with the work I saw it does. The video testimonials by the people who were benefited by Special Effect warmed my heart and committed me to assist in making everything more accessible to people with disabilities.

Excellent people and a excellent cause, I'll continue to shout about this charity so everyone can hear me.

Everything this organisation does just warms my heart, an amazing group of people bringing the joy of gaming to some truly wonderful kids. Will continue to support when possible ☺

Discovered this charity when a local gaming group (ultimate pro gaming) joined our Worthing Wormhole comicon convention in November. The enthusiasm those guys have for this charity is infectious & bringing fun to disabled gamers is such an awesome concept we loved it. Keep it up.

As an avid gamer you can’t help but love what this charity does to ensure disabled gamers can enjoy games like everyone else! Such amazing & gifted people working wonders with technology!

What a great Charity ,and so different from the rest .The pleasure this will bring to young and old is special .



Game on People .

Visited Marta and Gavin today with our Son Corey. Very grateful for their time and expertise in getting Corey up an running with his gaming. He's already practising his driving on Sonic. Many thanks and we think you are brilliant. We will keep you updated with his progress.

This fantastic company. Made my gaming experience more hand on... thank you so much for making my one handed controller for xbox/playstation.

Given to me by my fantastic daughter Cloe Ashtari and son in law ( to be) Phil Southam from Multiplay.

The work these guys do is absolutely fantastic! Keep it up!

The SpecialEffect team recently visited our disabled 21 year old son, Liam, recently to help him play console games virtually independently for the very first time; to have been there to see the look of joy on Liam's face is to know why all at SpecialEffect and anyone out there who contributes their efforts and or money for the charity are simply awesome <3

Thanks to these guys I can play my games again I haven't played Xbox for ages but now I can they were very helpful I really appreciate the help I am enjoying trying it out at the moment

Such a worth while charity, keep up the good work guys, proud to say I have helped raise over £1000 for this charity with the guys from tpsuk (the playstation show uk)

So much love for this chairty. The stuff they do to help folk out is amazing. �

My son James uses eye gaze. It is fantastic for him as he is paraplegic and can only use his head for regular movement. He is able to choose music, pictures and sentences amongst other things. That is only the beginning. He is cognitive and can show how much he knows, eye gaze unlocks this for him. He loves using it and it is uplifting and emotional for his family to see him in action and to participate with him

It's wonderful to see how today's technologies, if applied for good and not for profit, are able to give joy to people with disabilities who would otherwise not be able to play videogames and have fun like all of us. Good job from Italy!

It was a pleasure meeting the team at Special Effect towers, the team are very hard working and truly inspiring, the work you guys and girls do to help people with disabilities play video games has made such a difference to people's lives, Ultimate Pro Gaming looks forward to working with you in the future.

I wanna say a big thank you to Gavin and Frankie from Special Effect for giving Dan JJ Ryan his gaming back after so many years... Thanks sooo much I know it was a challenge xxx

I read about your organization in the most recent Game Informer and I just wanted to say that what you are doing is amazing, truly amazing. You make the seemingly impossible possible and undoubtedly bring joy to those you help (for no charge, at that). This is the light at the end of the tunnel that shows many that there is always hope. Thank you.

I heard of you guys from the gameblast announcement through Runescape, I'd just love to say that you guys are one of the greatest charities i've ever heard of!I'm an avid gamer and have been for YEARS! What you're doing is just about the greatest thing you can do!

I discovered this charity while lurking the internet then fell in love with the work I saw it does. The video testimonials by the people who were benefited by Special Effect warmed my heart and committed me to assist in making everything more accessible to people with disabilities.

Excellent people and a excellent cause, I'll continue to shout about this charity so everyone can hear me.

Everything this organisation does just warms my heart, an amazing group of people bringing the joy of gaming to some truly wonderful kids. Will continue to support when possible ☺

Discovered this charity when a local gaming group (ultimate pro gaming) joined our Worthing Wormhole comicon convention in November. The enthusiasm those guys have for this charity is infectious & bringing fun to disabled gamers is such an awesome concept we loved it. Keep it up.

As an avid gamer you can’t help but love what this charity does to ensure disabled gamers can enjoy games like everyone else! Such amazing & gifted people working wonders with technology!

What a great Charity ,and so different from the rest .The pleasure this will bring to young and old is special .



Game on People .

Visited Marta and Gavin today with our Son Corey. Very grateful for their time and expertise in getting Corey up an running with his gaming. He's already practising his driving on Sonic. Many thanks and we think you are brilliant. We will keep you updated with his progress.

This fantastic company. Made my gaming experience more hand on... thank you so much for making my one handed controller for xbox/playstation.

Given to me by my fantastic daughter Cloe Ashtari and son in law ( to be) Phil Southam from Multiplay.

The work these guys do is absolutely fantastic! Keep it up!

The SpecialEffect team recently visited our disabled 21 year old son, Liam, recently to help him play console games virtually independently for the very first time; to have been there to see the look of joy on Liam's face is to know why all at SpecialEffect and anyone out there who contributes their efforts and or money for the charity are simply awesome <3

Thanks to these guys I can play my games again I haven't played Xbox for ages but now I can they were very helpful I really appreciate the help I am enjoying trying it out at the moment

Such a worth while charity, keep up the good work guys, proud to say I have helped raise over £1000 for this charity with the guys from tpsuk (the playstation show uk)

So much love for this chairty. The stuff they do to help folk out is amazing. �

My son James uses eye gaze. It is fantastic for him as he is paraplegic and can only use his head for regular movement. He is able to choose music, pictures and sentences amongst other things. That is only the beginning. He is cognitive and can show how much he knows, eye gaze unlocks this for him. He loves using it and it is uplifting and emotional for his family to see him in action and to participate with him

It's wonderful to see how today's technologies, if applied for good and not for profit, are able to give joy to people with disabilities who would otherwise not be able to play videogames and have fun like all of us. Good job from Italy!

It was a pleasure meeting the team at Special Effect towers, the team are very hard working and truly inspiring, the work you guys and girls do to help people with disabilities play video games has made such a difference to people's lives, Ultimate Pro Gaming looks forward to working with you in the future.

I wanna say a big thank you to Gavin and Frankie from Special Effect for giving Dan JJ Ryan his gaming back after so many years... Thanks sooo much I know it was a challenge xxx

I read about your organization in the most recent Game Informer and I just wanted to say that what you are doing is amazing, truly amazing. You make the seemingly impossible possible and undoubtedly bring joy to those you help (for no charge, at that). This is the light at the end of the tunnel that shows many that there is always hope. Thank you.

I heard of you guys from the gameblast announcement through Runescape, I'd just love to say that you guys are one of the greatest charities i've ever heard of!I'm an avid gamer and have been for YEARS! What you're doing is just about the greatest thing you can do!

I discovered this charity while lurking the internet then fell in love with the work I saw it does. The video testimonials by the people who were benefited by Special Effect warmed my heart and committed me to assist in making everything more accessible to people with disabilities.

Excellent people and a excellent cause, I'll continue to shout about this charity so everyone can hear me.

Everything this organisation does just warms my heart, an amazing group of people bringing the joy of gaming to some truly wonderful kids. Will continue to support when possible ☺

Discovered this charity when a local gaming group (ultimate pro gaming) joined our Worthing Wormhole comicon convention in November. The enthusiasm those guys have for this charity is infectious & bringing fun to disabled gamers is such an awesome concept we loved it. Keep it up.

As an avid gamer you can’t help but love what this charity does to ensure disabled gamers can enjoy games like everyone else! Such amazing & gifted people working wonders with technology!