In game development, accessibility is often seen as a layer to add. Universal Design for Learning flips that mindset. It starts with the assumption that learners are diverse – and builds flexibility into every part of the experience. Originally developed for classrooms, UDL has since become a powerful framework for designing anything that teaches. For…
When we talk about learning environments, we often talk about tools. Laptops, whiteboards, apps, curriculum platforms – each designed to support students in some way. But for learners with disabilities, the question is not whether a tool is helpful. The question is whether it is usable at all. That’s where assistive technology enters the conversation.…
With new WCAG 2.1 AA deadlines approaching in 2026 and 2027, education publishers face a critical challenge: how to make complex interactive learning tools accessible without sacrificing their pedagogical power. Filament Games has been on the front lines of this effort, partnering with top publishers and organizations to retrofit and reimagine digital games that serve…
Summer break is near, but the momentum in game-based learning isn’t slowing down. From dopamine-driven design to coding clubs for girls, this month’s stories show how games are motivating learners, bridging skill gaps, and making a difference across industries and continents. Gamification’s Grip on Engagement A recent feature in Entrepreneur explains why gamification continues to…
Take a seat, weary traveler – we know it’s hard to keep pace with the velocity of AI updates. As we did our diligence for this month’s post, there were almost too many AI and education breakthroughs to choose from, and literally hundreds more are being printed every day. Each week seems to bring new…
Meeting WCAG 2.1 AA standards is a requirement for many game-based learning tools used in schools or public agencies, and compliance is a complex process. Even experienced developers and designers might come across terms like programmatic labeling or pointer cancellation without being clear on what they actually require. Fortunately, we’re here to help! This glossary…
Earlier this week, we published a glossary of WCAG 2.1 AA terms for game developers – a plain-language breakdown of the technical vocabulary behind today’s most important accessibility standards. In that post, we briefly introduced the POUR framework: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust. Now we’re following up with a deeper dive. POUR offers a flexible design…
For many digital products, automated accessibility tools like axe, Lighthouse, or WAVE can catch common issues such as poor color contrast, missing alt text, or improper focus order. These tools serve an important role in a complete accessibility pipeline. They work well for documents, websites, and apps that follow structured layouts and predictable user flows.…
If you’ve ever tried to apply Section 508 compliance standards to a video game, you know it’s like fitting a square peg into a round hole. These standards were built for static documents and websites – not dynamic, interactive experiences. For game developers building rich educational tools, that mismatch creates a serious problem. That’s why…
