Leveling the Playing Field: Online Gaming as a Communication Platform for Individuals with Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities continue to face exclusion from the mainstream human rights agenda, hindering the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. This study analyzes online gaming as a communication platform that shapes and reproduces social realities of social inclusion among individuals with disabilities. This qualitative research explored the experiences of individuals with disabilities in the realm of inclusivity facilitated by gaming applications accessible through the internet. In-depth interviews were conducted with registered individuals with disabilities under the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) in the Philippines, who engage in online gaming platforms such as Call of Duty, Valorant, and Mobile Legends. Drawing on the theoretical concept of social inclusion, this study delves into its dimensions to explore diverse viewpoints on disability and online gaming. The findings indicate that participation in online games is a multifaceted communication tool that facilitates the co-creation of social inclusion in individual and group social contexts. The findings highlight the need for communication scholars to explore how virtual spaces contribute to social exclusion and how they can expand the opportunities to foster social inclusion. The study’s insights on how online gaming co-creates the social reality of social inclusion among individuals with disabilities can inform online game developers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to foster more inclusive communities.