--- title: Xbox Accessibility Guidelines Provide Best Practices So More Gamers Can Play description: Microsoft released Xbox Accessibility Guidelines to serve as a checklist for video game accessibility. Learn more, brought to you by the Bureau of Internet Accessibility. --- [Digital Accessibility Blog ](https://www.boia.org/blog) # [Xbox Accessibility Guidelines Provide Best Practices So More Gamers Can Play](https://www.boia.org/blog/xbox-accessibility-guidelines-provide-best-practices-so-more-gamers-can-play) Written by [CJ](https://www.boia.org/blog/author/cj) | Nov 22, 2019 To further their mission of [Xbox Accessibility](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility), Microsoft released **Xbox Accessibility Guidelines**, "a set of best practices that have been developed in partnership with industry experts and members of the gaming and disability community." Twenty-three guidelines are included, and for each guideline Microsoft provides an Overview, Implementation Guidelines, Applicable personas, and Resources or Tools. For example, for **Guideline 102: Contrast**: - The Overview says, "The intent is to provide enough contrast between text and/or images and their background so that it can be read by people with color vision deficiencies or low vision." - The Implementation Guidelines include specific instructions for meeting minimum color contrast ratios. - The Applicable personas section identifies this guideline as benefiting users with little or no color perception, users with low vision a limited / no hearing, users with limited cognitive skills, and other users. - Resources or Tools includes links to helpful articles and tools, like an article explaining high contrast. Related: [The Basics and Importance of Color Contrast for Web Accessibility](https://www.boia.org/blog/the-basics-and-importance-of-color-contrast-for-web-accessibility) ## Full list of Xbox Accessibility Guidelines - [101: Text display](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/101) - [102: Contrast](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/102) - [103: Visual cues](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/103) - [104: Subtitles and captions](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/104) - [105: Audio customization](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/105) - [106: Screen narration](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/106) - [107: Input](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/107) - [108: Game difficulty options](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/108) - [109: Object clarity](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/109) - [110: Haptic feedback](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/110) - [111: Audio description](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/111) - [112: UI navigation](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/112) - [113: UI focus handling](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/113) - [114: UI context](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/114) - [115: Error messages and destructive actions](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/115) - [116: Time limits](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/116) - [117: Visual distractions](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/117) - [118: Photosensitivity](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/118) - [119: STT / TTS chat](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/119) - [120: Communication experiences](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/120) - [121: Accessible feature documentation](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/121) - [122: Accessible customer support](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/122) - [123: Advanced best practices](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/gaming/accessibility/xbox-accessibility-guidelines/123) ## Part of a larger movement toward gaming accessibility The Xbox Accessibility Guidelines, which Microsoft says, "are intended for designers to generate ideas, for developers as guardrails when developing their game and as a checklist for validating the accessibility of their title," are released at a time when the future of gaming looks to include a focus on accessibility. Earlier this year, Microsoft released a series of [Eyes First](https://www.boia.org/blog/microsoft-releases-new-eyes-first-games) games, which use [eye-tracking technology](https://www.boia.org/blog/greater-digital-independence-through-eye-tracking) to play. Around the same time, IKEA and partners announced a [new line of gaming accessories that use 3D-printing](https://www.boia.org/blog/ikea-and-partners-unveil-3d-printed-gaming-accessories-that-will-improve-accessibility-for-gamers) to making gaming more accessible. ## Was this interesting or helpful? Subscribe to our [blog](https://www.boia.org/blog) and [newsletter](https://www.boia.org/subscribe-to-monthly-newsletter). We're always publishing new content designed to be most helpful to you, and there's always something for everyone. Or, looking for help with your digital accessibility needs? [Contact us](https://www.boia.org/contact) or get started with a [free website accessibility scan](https://www.boia.org/products/free-wcag-2-0-aa-report/). We look forward to helping you achieve, maintain, and prove digital compliance. 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