| TECH EDGE
By John M. Williams
I do not have multiple sclerosis (MS), but as a writer on assistive technology, I was interested to visit MyBrainGames (www.mymsmyway.com), a free suite of online cognitive and dexterity games for people with multiple sclerosis created by The MS Technology Collaborative.
MS is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS)—that’s the brain and spinal cord. Predominantly, MS is a disease of the “white matter” tissue, made up of nerve fibers, which is responsible for transmitting signals both within the CNS and between the CNS and the nerves supplying rest of the body. Worldwide, MS is thought to affect more than 2.5 million people.
Since I was introduced to the games several weeks ago, I have spent hours playing them. I shall spend a lot more time playing them in the future.
The games Shopping List, Word Connect and Round-up challenge my processing speed, memory, concentration and very definitely my hand/eye coordination. Each game is available at varying levels of difficulty. The levels are Getting Started, On a Roll, Ready for a Challenge and Going for Broke. Players can even create customized levels to best suit their individual abilities. I created my own and found the challenges more exhilarating. All scores can be saved, allowing users to track their performance over time.
Because people with MS experience a range of physical limitations in addition to cognitive challenges, MyBrainGames was also developed with technical modifications to ensure that the games are accessible to the MS community. The game’s “Accessibility Toolbar” offers the option for color inversion, changes in contrast, and bold and enlarged game text. To account for individuals with limited dexterity, minimal mouse and keyboard movement is required, with most of the games played using only two keyboard keys—the up and down arrows.
Going for Broke is the most challenging level and for me the most interesting to play. The number of obstacles you must avoid by ducking under, leaping over and touching by jumping increase when compared to the other levels. My highest score is 710 points. My goal is 1,500.
The instructions to play the games are simple, and the voice giving them is clear.
The games last just over a minute, ad so they are not fatiguing. Before playing, players should watch each level several times so you know what you are facing.
MyBrainGames are cool to play. Individuals with MS should find the games cognitively, visually and physically stimulating. Playing the games can, I believe, be therapeutic for people with MS.
The MS Technology Collaborative is a landmark alliance between the National MS Society, Microsoft and Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals, all of whom have come together to help improve how people with MS can use technology to maintain their health and independence, have support for their life choices, and stay connected with their families, friends, and communities. The MS Technology Collaborative helps to raise awareness of how existing technology can support personal and professional goals, as well as to make information about technology readily accessible to the MS community
John M. Williams (jmmaw@verizon.net) has been writing about assistive technology’s benefits to disabled people for 29 years. His web site is www.atechnews.com.
