The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has launched a pioneering esports camp to engage students with disabilities through video games and esports. This groundbreaking initiative aims to make gaming more inclusive and accessible to all students.
Camp Overview: Empowering Students Through Gaming
In July, the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's esports program hosted a four-day camp, welcoming nine students from Leeward Community College, Windward Community College, UH Mānoa, and UH West Oʻahu. During the camp, participants gained hands-on experience in building PCs, creating in-game avatars, and learning about online gaming safety.
A Vision for Inclusion: Leadership and Goals
Sky Kauweloa, director of UH Esports, collaborated with the UH Mānoa Center on Disability Studies to design the camp. Kauweloa's vision focuses on providing opportunities for marginalized communities, including women, LGBTQ+ players, and now, students with disabilities. Previously, UH Esports formed North America’s first varsity mobile esports team through the game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and launched the Women of UH Esports program to support women gamers.
“Now, we have extended the core mission of UH Esports to become a venue for students with disabilities to find a home across our system campuses,” Kauweloa stated. “The esports disability camp is possibly one of the first in North America, which reinforces the core mission of UH Esports to be inclusive of marginalized student populations on our campus when it comes to access to video games and gaming and digital technologies. I believe this camp could be a catalyst for collaborations with other universities interested in supporting their own students with disabilities.”
Innovative Technology: Adaptive Controllers
A key highlight of the camp was the introduction of Microsoft’s adaptive controllers, which provide gaming accessibility for individuals with physical limitations. Leeward Community College plans to purchase these controllers to enhance their esports initiative.
Social Impacts: Fostering Community and Friendship
Moshe Karabelnike, the main organizer of the camp and a UH Mānoa communication and information sciences PhD alum, emphasized the camp's social impact. “Many of the students we work with struggle to make friends, and it was beautiful to watch how a shared interest immediately brought the students together,” Karabelnike said. “My proudest moment in camp was seeing a student with no previous gaming experience use an adaptive controller to participate in competitive gaming, cooperate with teammates, and score for her team.”
Future Prospects: Building a Lasting Legacy
The camp employed coaches from UH Esports, UH Mānoa, and Leeward Community College. Kauweloa envisions making the camp an annual summer event to continue fostering inclusivity in gaming. UH Esports receives funding from the Academy for Creative Media System, ensuring ongoing support for innovative programs.
To learn more about UH Esports and their inclusive initiatives, visit the UH Esports team’s X and Discord channels. Stay updated on more stories about UH’s esports program and their efforts to create an inclusive gaming community.
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