Projects
Welcome to the IllegallySighted Projects page. Here is where you will find links to various projects and presentations I have done, or am currently working on.
YouTube Channel
This is where it all began. The IllegallySighted YouTube channel started in 2012, and is still going strong. Here you will find videos on mainstream and accessible games, assistive technology, technology hardware reviews, virtual reality games and experiences, game and VR accessibility, a few Let's Play's, and other nerdy stuff. The channel is focused on tech, gaming, and VR from a legally blind user's perspective.
Twitch Stream
Sadly, Mixer is no more, but IllegallySighted lives on at Twitch. I often stream on weekends. Sometimes I will also stream during the week, especially if there is a major tech or gaming event to cover, or new accessible game I just can’t wait to play.
#ID24 2017 Presentation on VR Accessibility
Titled "An IllegallySighted Look at VR Accessibility," I presented this session at #ID24 2017 (Inclusive Design 24) in November 2017. In this session, I talk about my experiences as a legally blind VR (Virtual Reality) user. I describe several common barriers, and possible solutions, low vision VR users encounter. I also reach out to VR developers to think of, and include accessibility in their projects from the beginning of development. I'm also happy to answer any questions, or help however I can, if a developer is interested in making their VR apps more accessible.
Featured Article in Reload Magazine Sample Issue
Reload Magazine is a digital and print magazine dedicated to retro first person shooters. If you are interested in reading this magazine, there is a free sample issue available. Even better, I wrote a special feature article exclusive to this sample issue on the Toby Accessibility Doom mod. My hope is to both get more players and creators to try the mod, and to expose more retro FPS developers to accessibility. Ultimately, my hope is that developers read the article, try the mod, and actively attempt to add more accessibility in one of my favorite genres.
IGDA Twin Cities June 2021 Presentation on Blind/Low Vision Game Accessibility
In June 2021, I presented at our local IGDA Chapter meeting do given an overview of game accessibility, with a focus on a blind and visually impaired perspective. What I liked about this presentation is, I got to speak directly with developers and people making games. I could be a little more technical and descriptive on some specific barriers, and ideas on how to address these, to make games more accessible to blind and low vision players.
Accessible Gaming for IOS, Android, PC, & Console on Tech Connect Live (2022)
In this episode of Tec Talk Live, I was invited on to talk about the state of accessible gaming in 2021. We chatted everything from mobile games, to PC and console. We also touched on the state of virtual reality accessibility.
Accessible Video Games with Jesse Anderson - Tech Connect Live (2024)
In this episode, I was invited back to talk more accessible games, including several mainstream games, audio games, and the latest in the Toby Accessibility Doom Mod 7.0.
Game Accessibility Interview with Aaron Spelker
In April 2022, Aaron Spelker invited me to be a guest on his IOS Accessibility video podcast. During this inteview, we chatted about game accessibility, VR accessibility, how I got into accessibility advocacy and consulting, and the overall state of tech and game accessibility at the time. Thanks to Aaron for the interview.
2022 Year in Review Panel with Aaron Spelker
I had a blast participating in this panel on game accessibility with Aaron, Liam, and Mike. We talked about 2022’s game accessibility highlights, some of our favorite accessible games, advice to both game developers and gamers, and loads more. I loved how well this panel turned out!
MAG 2023 Year in Review Panel with Aaron Spelker
I was invited back to wrap up 2023 in accessible gaming with Aaron and Mike.
Steam Group
The IllegallySighted Steam Group is a resource for games that are accessible to blind and low vision Steam users. Although there are many more Steam games covered on the channel in general, the Steam Group and Curator List highlights a smaller selection of titles that include specific elements that make them more accessible to blind or low vision users. The Curator List also highlights games with blind characters, of which there are a few. Finally, it is a place for IllegallySighted followers to get together and chat about Steam, IllegallySighted, games, or other things of interest.
GaConf (Game Accessibility Conference) 2019 Panel
In March of 2019, I was invited to be a panel member at the Game Accessibility Conference on low vision game accessibility along with Steve Saylor and Meghan Dornbrock called Gamers First, Blind Second. The panel is now archived on YouTube, along with all the other excellent sessions of the day. Enjoy the panel, and a huge thank you to everyone at GAConf, including my fellow presenters on a great conference!
GAConf 2022 (Game Accessibility Conference) 2022 Panel
In October 2022, I participated in another GAConf panel, this time on mobile game accessibility. This panel included players with several types of disabilities, and we covered a good variety of topics related to mobile gaming accessibility.
VR Accessibility Interview with Equal Entry
Equal Entry is hosting text interviews with several people in the technology and game accessibility fields, and in April 2022, they interviewed me on my work in technology accessibility, my YouTube channel, and my work in virtual reality accessibility.
XR Access Stories - Jesse Anderson
This is the short version of my interview with XR Access, where I give my background in virtual and augmented reality.
XR Access Stories - Jesse Anderson Full Interview
This is the full, uncut interview with XR Access, where I talk about my experience with augmented and virtual reality, and my thoughts on the current state of XR accessibility.
Podcast Episodes
In addition to the YouTube channel and Mixer/Twitch streams, I’ve started getting invited to a few podcasts to talk low vision, assistive technology, game accessibility, virtual reality accessibility, and other topics. Here are the podcasts I’ve appeared on so far, and thanks to everyone for the invitations.
Unsyted Radio Podcast Interview with Chad Michael Bouton
Chad invited me to be a guest on his podcast, as Level 7 of his Accessibility in Gaming series. We had a great conversation on lots of topics, including my background, AAA and indie game accessibility, accessibility mods, and VR accessibility. I had a blast during this episode.
FSCast 241 - All About Accessible Gaming
Freedom Scientific invited me to be a guest on their long running FSCast to talk all things accessible gaming. We cover an overview of mainstream games, PC, console, and mobile games, and give some information on getting started with accessible games. There’s also a cool section on a blind accessible Game Jam series.
The A4G Podcast
This podcast is no more, but you can still listen to previous episodes covering games, game accessibility, and some pretty great developer interviews.
Blind Bargains Qast: Episode 113
Around Labor Day weekend of 2017, I was invited to be a guest on the Blind Bargains Podcast to talk all things game accessibility and virtual reality. it was my first opportunity to be a part of another podcast, and I had a blast. I think we all could have talked for a lot longer, and barely scratched the surface of what's been happening in game and VR accessibility. I'd be glad to return for future episodes.
Blind Bargains Qast: Episode 149
I return to the Blind Bargains Qast to talk about E3 2018 and which games may be the highlights of the year. We go through all the E3 press conferences and chat about the games that stood out most to us.
Blind Bargains Qast: Episode 185
In this Blind Bargains episode, we talk about some E3 2019 highlights, game accessibility happenings, and the newly released Oculus Quest and VR Accessibility.
Parallel Podcast: Episode 6
In this episode, “Bring on the Darkness, Shelly, Rose, and I have an interesting conversation on various dark modes and high contrast implementations. How well do these work on the PC, Mac, and mobile? We also chat about how specific apps handle, and sometimes conflict, with a dark theme. There’s a lot more to a dark theme than a black background or inverted colors…
Blind Vet Tech Podcast: Universal Design & Game Accessibility
In this episode, Tim and I chat about overall assistive technology and accessibility, universal design, as well as video game and virtual/augmented reality accessibility.
Blind Abilities & Tech Abilities
Over the past couple of years, I have been a guest on several Blind Abilities episodes, covering different aspects of assistive technology, game accessibility, and our technology services at State Services for the Blind. I have also had the chance to interview game developers on the accessibility of their new titles. Earlier in 2021, I was also invited to be a regular co-host on the Tech Abilities podcast, which is release every other week. We cover mainstream and assistive technology news, events, and products, and it’s a lot of fun. I have included a few episode highlights below.
Blind Abilities: myTrueSound Just Released Gold Gun! An Audio Game for the BVI Community
The Blind Abilities podcast interviewed the developers of Gold Gun, an accessible audio game for IOS. I was also invited to be a guest on this episode, and we all had a very interesting and fun conversation about their current and upcoming games, and game accessibility in general.
Blind Abilities: Assistive Technology: Choosing the Right Tools for Success
Blind Abilities invited me back on their podcast to talk about my day job as an assistive technology specialist. I talked about what I do as an AT specialist, and give some general advice and recommendations for knowing and using assistive technology to be successful in school, employment, and in life.
Blind Abilities: Introducing Circus Master’s Revenge
In this podcast, I was invited, along with Joe Quirk, to talk about Mental Vision’s recently released IOS audio game, Circus Master’s Revenge. If you were a fan of the no longer available, Audio Defense Zombie Arena game, definitely check out this podcast and the game.
Tech Abilities: Swordy Quest
In this special episode of Tech Abilities, Jeff and I interview the developer of a very popular, and very accessible IOS role playing game.
The Break Down Walls Podcast: Episode 4
Brandon invited me on to episode 4 of his new podcast to chat about virtual reality, VR Accessibility, and the newly released Oculus Quest. Also, did we mention that VR is really cool?
The Break Down Walls Podcast: Episode 90
In this episode, Brandon and I break down all the announcements from the 2021 E3 conference, and there are a Lot of games, many are also, On Game Pass…
Theory of a Blind Man Podcast: The Gamers Chair
I was invited to the Theory of a Blind Man podcast to chat all things game, VR, and technology accessibility, and everything in between. We chat about several great things happening in these area, and even share a few memories from technology of days passed.
Other Stuff
In addition to all the videos and podcasts, I’m also regularly working on several other side projects relating to technology and game accessibility. I’ve been part of the Microsoft Low Vision Advisory Group for a while now, which has been a lot of fun. I also participate in the Able Gamers Player Panels, which periodically link users up with a game accessibility project/survey. XR Access is an organization devoted to increasing virtual, augmented, and mixed reality, and I am currently working as a member of this group. I regularly participate in software, app, and game betas as well. If you are a developer and have questions on accessibility, please feel free to visit the About and Contact page and send me a message.