Understanding CVAA and Accessible Game Communications – Accessibility Labs

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IntroductionIn many multiplayer games, communication is a key aspect. Whether it’s for strategizing or making new friends, communication brings players together.When designing communications, it’s important to consider the wide audience using them. Features for accessible player-to-player communication include Menu Narration, Chat Narration, Speech-to-Text, and Text-to-Speech. These features help players who might not be able to see text, hear audio, or speak, enabling them to take part in voice and text chat. This isn’t just good practice, it’s required by laws like the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA). The CVAA mandates communications, including in-game chatting, be accessible to people with disabilities.What is CVAA?Enacted in 2010, Title I of the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act (CVAA) requires that “advanced” communications be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes voice chatting, texting, e-mail, instant m…