Skip to main content
  • Accessibility
  • Headlines
  • Coronavirus-News
  • Get-Hooked
  • Technology
  • Education
  • Employment
  • Parasports
  • Ask Bhavna
  • NHBrandView
  • Independent Living
  • Lifestyle
  • NH Videos
×
Newz Hook – Changing Attitudes towards Disability Logo
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • Inclusive
  • NH Voice
  • Login
COVID-19 Notification by Government in Accessible Format

Accessibility Tools

Text Size:

Contrast Scheme:

  • C
  • C

Reset

  • Home
  • Get-hooked
  • #Inclusive – Brandon Cole shares the positives and the negatives of the pandemic

#Inclusive – Brandon Cole shares the positives and the negatives of the pandemic

Brandon Cole - International Disability Day 2021, www.newzhook.com
Get-hooked November 30, 2021
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

In the second story of our series, “#Inclusive – Building Resilience post COVID-19 in the lives of people with disabilities”, we feature Brandon Cole, an award winning blind accessibility advocate and consultant in video games, working to establish the principle that the blind are gamers too.

The series is an initiative by NewzHook, marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) which is celebrated every year on 3 December.

Know Brandon Cole

Brandon: I am Brandon Cole, a totally blind video game accessibility consultant. I am primarily known for my work on The Last of Us Part 2, which I worked on for 3 years. My efforts, plus those of the team at Naughty Dog, helped make that game completely accessible even to the totally blind. I have also worked with other companies on their accessibility, including Jackbox and Twitch.

How did the pandemic affect people with disabilities?

Brandon: Strangely, there have been positives and negatives. On the positive side, the pandemic forced companies, (many of whom hated the idea pre-pandemic), to adopt work from home policies. This, of course, is something the disability community has always been asking for, as some disabled folks are much better able to work from their homes. Of course, some of these companies have started rolling back these policies, which is just wrong in my opinion, but I don’t think all of them are.

And then on the negative side, while I can only speak from my experience, I can say that it has absolutely affected my work. I have no doubt that, if the pandemic had never happened, I would have done a lot more traveling to development studios to speak with and work with developers on games. Sadly, the pandemic has put traveling on hold, and while I still have work, I can’t help but feel it’s less than it would have been.

Experience during the COVID-19 pandemic

Brandon: Honestly, see the second half of question above. My experience was far, far less travel, and remote consultation. It’s working for now, but I can’t help but hope things go back to the way they were, as I believe in-person work at studios has the potential to be far more effective.

Things that you would like to see in the post COVID-19 society

Brandon: I would like to see work at home programs staying on for the disabled, travel returning to its former glory so people like me can get back out there to conventions and studios to spread the accessibility word, and a more careful society as a result of the pandemic. That’s my ideal future right there.

Also Read

#Inclusive – Meryl Evans believes that celebrating differences can make this world a better place

 

Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today

We need your continued support to enable us work towards Changing Attitudes towards Disability. Help us in our attempt to share the voices of people with disabilities that enable them to participate in the society on an equal footing!

Contribute to Newz Hook

NH Videos

Healing pain through art - Dr. Anubha Mahajan, Founder Chronic Pain India

Contribue to Newz Hook |Disability news. Support us to make NewzHook Sustainable – Make a Contribution Today.

Newsletter

 Subscribe to our Newsletter

Want to feature disability stories or share disability news with the disabled community? Write to:

editor@newzhook.com

Newz Hook - Accessible News

Download App Now!

Videos

View More

Get-hooked

Understanding Rett Syndrome

Get-hooked

Understanding Teaching Nonverbal Children

Get-hooked

Saiyanshi Pathania, teen with a learning disability, tells stories of positivity on her YouTube channel

Get-hooked

'Think beyond & work towards your goals' - My Take by Kartik Sawhney

Newz Hook Logo

About Newz Hook

Newz Hook | Disability News - media site focusing on Disability Stories and Changing Attitudes towards Disability globally. We highlight disability news, offer inclusive solutions and create accessible collaborations. Our focus is to have Inclusion Champions from across the globe who will share disability stories and news.
Lets come together to change attitudes towards disability!

Newz Hook is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Follow us on:

Related Links

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Partner with Newz Hook
  • Embed Newz Hook Timeline
  • Affiliate disclosure
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Contribute to Newz Hook

Our Awards

Zero Project Award Winner 2018
Back To Top
© 2019 All Right Reserved. Inclusive News India Private Limited.

Ask Bhavna

All fields are mandatory unless specified as optional.