> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://devdocs.xbox.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Developer accessibility resources

> Curated Microsoft and third-party accessibility resources for XBOX developers, including XAGs, GADPEG, XBOX Adaptive Controller, training, and community links.

A curated list of Microsoft and third-party resources for XBOX developers. Nothing here is paid outside of Microsoft or XBOX. Questions or updates? Email the [Gaming Accessibility Team](mailto:xaccess@microsoft.com).

## Accessibility guidance

### Microsoft

* [XBOX Accessibility Guidelines (XAGs)](/build/game-principles/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines) — best practices developed with the Gaming and Disability Community.
* [Gaming and Disability Player Experience Guide (GADPEG)](/build/game-principles/accessibility/gadpeg) — supplemental to the XAGs, organized by disability type.
* [Gaming Accessibility Fundamentals learning path](/build/game-principles/accessibility/gaf-info) — 5-module Microsoft Learn course.
* [Game Accessibility Workshop Toolkit](/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-workshop-toolkit) — facilitator-ready workshop assets.
* [Accessibility of gaming AI experiences](/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-of-gaming-ai) — accessibility considerations for AI-driven game features.

### Outside Microsoft

* [Game Accessibility Guidelines](https://gameaccessibilityguidelines.com/) — three-tier (basic / intermediate / advanced) developer-friendly guidelines.
* [Accessible Player Experience (APX)](https://accessible.games/apx) — AbleGamers Charity design patterns from hundreds of players with disabilities.

## XBOX Adaptive Controller (XAC)

The XAC is designed for players with physical disabilities. It works with external buttons and joysticks so players can build a controller that suits them.

* [XBOX Adaptive Controller hub](https://www.xbox.com/accessories/controllers/xbox-adaptive-controller)
* [How it works — video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEKIAHrugZ4)
* [Get to know the XAC](https://support.xbox.com/help/account-profile/accessibility/get-to-know-adaptive-controller) — button and port breakdown.
* [XAC history](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7y7cAQb21DQ)
* [Configuring the XAC in the XBOX Accessories app](https://support.xbox.com/help/account-profile/accessibility/customize-adaptive-controller-in-xbox-accessories-app)
* [XBOX accessories and controllers](https://www.xbox.com/accessories) — filter by assistive technology.
  * [Logitech Adaptive Gaming Kit](https://www.microsoft.com/d/logitech-adaptive-gaming-kit-for-xbox-adaptive-controller/936ndvcjzp78) — buttons made specifically for the XAC.

## Connecting with players

> "Nothing about us without us." Getting input from the Gaming and Disability Community should be an integral part of development.

* **XBOX Accessibility Insiders League (XAIL)** — a group of 100,000+ XBOX Insiders interested in accessibility. Use it to ship pre-release builds and gather structured feedback from players who use assistive technology. Request access through your Microsoft point of contact.
* [AbleGamers Player Panels](https://accessible.games) — connects studios to hundreds of players with disabilities for design input and playtesting.

## Documentation

### Features and store surfacing

* [Accessibility feature tags](/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-feature-tags) — tag features in Partner Center so players can filter for them.
* [The Family Gaming Database — Accessibility Data](https://www.taminggaming.com/search) — searchable resource; developers can [add their own game](https://www.taminggaming.com/questionnaire).
* [PlayStation 5 Console Accessibility](https://www.playstation.com/support/hardware/ps5-accessibility-settings/) — reference for cross-platform teams.
* [Ubisoft Game Accessibility Features](https://www.ubisoft.com/help/all-topics?query=accessibility\&origin=search) — reference for how publishers document features on product pages.

### Authoring documentation

* [How to Write in Plain English](http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/howto.pdf).

## Courses and training

### Free (self-study)

* [Gaming Accessibility Fundamentals learning path](https://learn.microsoft.com/training/paths/gaming-accessibility-fundamentals/) — foundational Microsoft Learn path.
* [SpecialEffect DevKit](https://specialeffectdevkit.info/) — video series on making games accessible for players with physical disabilities.
* [Accessible Design with Unreal Engine](https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/product/introduction-to-accessible-design-with-unreal-engine).
* [Practical Game Accessibility with Unity](https://learn.unity.com/course/practical-game-accessibility).
* [Creating accessible content with Microsoft 365](https://learn.microsoft.com/training/modules/accessible-content-m365/).
* [Making your PowerPoint presentations accessible](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el60p-DGtAY).

### YouTube playlists

* [MSFTEnable — Gaming Accessibility playlist](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtSVUgxIo6Kr2QDVX7V4idyelKLRoobf-).
* [Game Maker's Toolkit — Designing for Disability playlist](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc38fcMFcV_vvWOhMDriBlVocTZ8mKQzR).
* [Making Accessible Experiences Inside Unreal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzrhzOrqI50).

## Supporting developers with disabilities

* [ID@XBOX Developer Acceleration Program](https://news.xbox.com/2023/03/21/id-xbox-developer-acceleration-program-underrepresented-creators/) — helps underrepresented developers, including those with disabilities, publish on XBOX.
* [Limit Break](https://www.limitbreak.co.uk/) — UK mentorship program pairing underrepresented developers with established professionals.

## Conferences

### Free

* [GAconf (Gaming Accessibility Conference)](https://www.gaconf.com/conference/) — the primary conference dedicated to gaming accessibility.
* [Axe-con](https://www.deque.com/axe-con/) — broader digital accessibility conference.

### Paid

* [Game Developer Conference (GDC)](https://www.gdconf.com/).
* [CSUN Assistive Technology Conference](https://www.csun.edu/cod/conference/).

## Talks

Curated recordings covering studio journeys, process, connecting with players, and specific disability areas.

### Accessibility journey of games

* [Building up Accessibility in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIhhkNNJ0T4) — GAconf Europe 2023, TT Games.
* [Retrofitting Accessibility in Deathloop](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cToESqIMCM) — GAconf Europe 2023, Arkane.
* [The Road to Accessibility in Rocksmith+](https://youtu.be/uRdDT2irfAo) — GAconf 2022.
* [Expanding Accessibility in The Last of Us Part 1](https://youtu.be/__KsDXSeOQo) — GAconf 2022.
* [Make it a Pillar: Prioritizing Accessibility in the AAA Market](https://youtu.be/dgtck3FIU7U) — Forza Horizon 5, GAconf Europe 2022.
* [ScourgeBringer: an Indie Accessibility Post-Mortem](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMiNlf9s5MM) — GAconf Europe 2021.
* [Driving Accessibility Advancements in Watch Dogs: Legion](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwxgeqaN_Po) — GAconf Europe 2021.
* [The Accessibility in Last of Us Part II: A 3 Year Journey](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HDdino-umA) — GAconf 2020.
* [Font Sizing Out Of This World](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwnmgTXGItg) — Outer Worlds, GAconf 2020.
* [Adding Controller Remapping to Destiny 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1PDqhD22BA) — GAconf 2020.
* [Building an Inclusive Tech Lab](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZaeDw4Cv5o) — Microsoft Inclusive Technologies Lab.

### Process and QA

* [Accessibility Planning – choosing the right blueberries for your project](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBRRHjToWGQ) — Monolith Productions.
* [The Frontlines of Accessibility QA](https://youtu.be/FbrlU07ojsc) — GAconf Europe 2023 panel.

### Connecting with players

* [Prioritizing Accessibility: How an indie publisher supports accessibility](https://youtu.be/n7LA8gFQMcQ) — GAconf 2022.
* [Connecting with Players with Disabilities](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIYYc_RoDb4) — Candy Crush Friends Saga, GAconf Europe 2021.

### Captions, subtitles, audio cues

* [Closed Captions in Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy](https://youtu.be/zHsRkXeNt2Q) — GAconf 2022.
* [Deaf Accessibility: The Power of Customization](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LypB3IaWOwQ) — GAconf 2020.
* [Subtitles in XR: A Practical Framework](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5m8JHWuu2o) — GAconf 2020.

### Cognitive accessibility

* [Ideas for Accessible Typography](https://youtu.be/z1hTWHFFANo) — Psychonauts 2, GAconf 2022.
* [Create Dynamic, Accessible Content with Azure Neural Voice](https://youtu.be/y5txCGXepdU) — GDC 2022.

### Difficulty vs. accessibility

* [Can I do that?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plDRQrX6RW4) — Jamie + Lion, GAconf Europe 2023.
* [Difficulty Vs Accessibility](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPehhHZvKE8) — GAconf 2021.
* [Putting the Assist Mode in Control](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZv3u350Xd0) — GAconf Europe 2021.

### Horror

* [Accessible Horror: Everyone is Entitled to One Good Scare](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXo_oKyMIa4) — GAconf 2021.

### Inclusive design and playstyles

* [Accessibility Driven Development: Stories of Blossom](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJhb5999LsY) — Soft Leaf Studios, GAconf Europe 2023.
* [Fusing Accessibility with Game Design](https://youtu.be/SNgIg0o-aCg) — Lost and Hound, GAconf 2022.
* [The SG Accessibility Matrix: Invest Your Scope Wisely](https://youtu.be/LxirTONZC6E) — Schell Games, GAconf 2022.
* [Prioritizing Accessible Player Experiences](https://www.gdcvault.com/play/1027769/Independent-Games-Summit-Prioritizing-Accessible) — AbleGamers, GDC 2022.

### Multiple disabilities and progressive disabilities

* [Understanding the DeafBlind Community and Digital Games](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duznPoQ-JtE) — Birmingham City University, GAconf Europe 2023.
* [Never give up, never surrender](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhQWquk7z2w) — Game Accessibility Nexus, GAconf Europe 2023.

### Representation

* [Everybody dance! Representation in Just Dance](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKg787XBOYs) — GAconf Europe 2023.
* [Mental health representation in games](https://youtu.be/Pf-tcvpv72M) — GAconf 2022.
* [Moving Disability Representation Beyond "It Matters"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R05fIYeVYhM) — GAconf 2021.

### Visual accessibility

* [Equal Opportunity Piracy: Blind Accessibility in Sea Of Thieves](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKWOxdd9DnE) — Rare, GAconf Europe 2023.
* [Designing the audio-based mechanics in Blind Drive](https://youtu.be/4rajDiKhXsk) — GAconf Europe 2022.

## Related XBOX / Microsoft references

* [Responsive Spatial Audio for Immersive Gaming](https://www.microsoft.com/garage/blog/2019/04/new-garage-project-bakes-accessibility-into-game-development-via-responsive-spatial-audio/)
* [XBOX Developer Programs](https://www.xbox.com/publish)
* [Inclusive Design toolkit](https://www.microsoft.com/design/inclusive/)

<Note>
  Source: **Developer accessibility resources V1.5** (published Jun 14, 2023). Contact the [Gaming Accessibility Team](mailto:xaccess@microsoft.com) with feedback or updates.
</Note>


## Related topics

- [Accessibility feature tags](/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-feature-tags.md)
- [GDK accessibility overview](/build/game-principles/accessibility/accessibility-overview.md)
- [Microsoft Gaming Accessibility Testing](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/certification/certification-mgats.md)
- [Glossary](/publishing/game-publishing/glossary.md)
- [Accessibility metadata](/publishing/game-publishing/concepts/metadata-accessibility.md)