In the Escape Room Enthusiasts Facebook group, the subject of rooms with dim lighting comes up every so often and the necessity of it for ambiance vs accessibility is always at the forefront of the discussion. It’s an issue that Tina and I deal with constantly as low-lighting affects us greatly. We all know that not all escape rooms are designed with accessibility and inclusivity in mind. While I don’t think it’s possible to create an escape room that EVERYONE can enjoy, I do know that game designers and owners can do better.
Why is accessibility important for escape rooms?
The key is to make sure everyone can join in on the fun. It’s all about ensuring that people with disabilities or impairments can easily access and enjoy the escape room experience. When you make your escape room accessible, here’s what you get:
- Reach a broader audience and welcome more awesome customers.
- Offer a positive and unforgettable experience for all your players.
- Keep things on the up and up by following legal and ethical standards.
It’s a win-win for everyone. The goal is to give as many people as we can the thrill of the escape room adventure.
How to make your escape room accessible
Creating an accessible and inclusive escape room is fantastic, and there are loads of ways to tailor it to the needs and preferences of your audience. Here are some general guidelines and suggestions that you can either follow as is or tweak to fit your escape room(s):
Physical accessibility
In discussing physical accessibility, we’re aiming to ensure that our escape rooms are welcoming to everyone, particularly those facing mobility challenges like wheelchair users. Here’s a considerate breakdown:
- Wheelchair-Friendly Environment: Let’s prioritize accessibility for wheelchair users by incorporating ramps, elevators, wide doors, and ample maneuvering space in our escape rooms.
- Accessible Parking and Entrances: Make the journey hassle-free with accessible parking, clear entrances, and signage that’s straightforward and easy to read throughout the building.
- Obstacle-Free Navigation: To enhance movement without hindrance, let’s steer clear of physical barriers like stairs, narrow passages, or heavy objects. Crawling is often unnecessary and may pose challenges for older players or those physically unable to crawl.
- Assistive Tech and Considerate Descriptions: Extend a helping hand to players with visual impairments through the use of assistive technology and other accommodations. If videos are part of the game, be sure to add closed captions for those with hearing or auditory issues. This is an easy thing to add.
- Clue Accessibility: Ensure clues, keys, and puzzle pieces are easily accessible, avoiding locations that require climbing, reaching, or crawling. Make puzzles and counter space reachable for players in wheelchairs.
- Alternative Interaction Methods: Foster inclusivity by providing alternative ways to interact with puzzles and clues, such as using touch, sound, or voice instead of relying solely on sight.
- Color Consideration: Avoid using color in puzzles. Opt for inclusive design by incorporating patterns, shapes, or textures, catering to those who are color blind.
- Well-Lit Spaces: Avoid making rooms too dark, and provide options for those with trouble seeing in low-light conditions. Turn up the lights, offer flashlights, and choose locks that won’t cause light bouncing. Fort Locks are great since they have white numbers with a black background.
About participants who are blind – it’s a complex challenge. While braille is a classic solution, I had a hard time coming up with other solutions. There are rooms that are completely dark and rely on touch, smell, sound, etc., but these types of rooms might not work for players who are deaf (there is usually a lot of verbal communication necessary), those with sensory issues, those with limited mobility, or even players without use of their hands. Achieving full inclusivity is an ongoing process, so let’s work on physical accessibility steps with each new game we introduce to our business.
Cognitive accessibility
Cognitive accessibility is all about ensuring that people with cognitive conditions, such as autism, dyslexia, or ADHD, can comfortably access and enjoy the escape room experience. Here are some thoughtful steps to make your escape room cognitively accessible:
- Clear and Concise Guidance: Offer instructions that are crystal clear and concise. Supplement verbal guidance with visual cues and pictures to cater to various learning styles.
- Memory-Friendly Puzzles: Design puzzles that don’t heavily rely on memory recall or outside knowledge, ensuring everyone can engage without feeling overwhelmed.
- Simple and Consistent Communication: Keep it straightforward. Use simple and consistent language, avoiding jargon, slang, or idioms that might cause confusion.
- Feedback and Support: Provide feedback and hints to help players progress, keeping them motivated and engaged.
- Trained and Respectful Staff: Have trained staff available to assist guests with cognitive or physical limitations. Make sure they’re not just helpful but also respectful and supportive throughout the experience.
By incorporating these considerations, we can create an escape room that’s welcoming and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of cognitive differences.
At the very least, add limitations to your website.
Changes Take Time
Overhauling your existing games is unnecessary. Changes shouldn’t be a burden on the business, But if you’re just starting out, or if you are putting in new games, accessibility should be front of mind when planning the layout, intro, gameplay, and puzzles. This may require a mindset shift, but everyone deserves to feel welcome in your business. Plus it widens your customer pool, it’s a win-win.
At the very least, add to the room descriptions on your website anything that might be an obstacle for people with disabilities or impairments: crawling, stairs, dim lighting, color puzzles, fog machine, strobe lighting, not wheelchair friendly, etc. And change out locks that are worn and/or hard to see.
I realize there are so many other factors and ways we can improve our games for accessibility, Please add your ideas and thoughts in the comments for others to read. Thank you.
