In 2016, a team at Microsoft set out to develop an affordable, adaptive Xbox controller for people with limited mobility to modify, customize and use to play the games they love. In order to be successful, the team knew they would need to rely heavily upon feedback from the target audience – following the mantra of the disability community: “Nothing About Us Without Us.”

Working with partners, such as Craig Hospital and Warfighter Engaged, the team initiated a comprehensive testing and feedback program for an adaptive controller. In doing so, they uncovered valuable insight, including identifying a secondary audience for the product, as well as learning that the controller would be used as a tool for therapists to help people with disabilities regain both social and physical strength.

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.