Thrive Pavilion’s Post

We could not fulfill our mission of overcoming #socialisolation and #loneliness at the Thrive Pavilion without the support from our technology and senior care industry collaborators. Their support is a testament to the positive impact our community has on aging adults. #techforgood #socialisolation #loneliness #socialconnection #agetech #seniorcare #seniorhealth #seniorwellbeing #aginginplace #inhomecare #headsinheadsets Meta

Working in the games industry as an autistic, chronically ill, disabled and therefore remote-only professional comes with unique challenges and rewards. For those of us who can’t attend in-person events or consultancy gigs, staying visible and top-of-mind in a field that very much thrives on face-to-face connections takes lots of determination, patience and creativity. 🤔 It can be tough seeing opportunities limited by physical presence, especially when video calls often don’t seem to foster the same rapport as in-person meetups. Yet, the voices of neurodivergent and disabled folks are critical in developing inclusive games and spaces for everyone. A significant percentage of the games industry workers is neurodivergent, and each of us brings valuable perspectives and lived experiences that can drive the industry forward. We shouldn’t forget that also a significant percentage of the players (=consumers) is neurodivergent! 🌟Let’s champion accessibility. Not just in the games we make, but in how we work together. It’s time to listen, adapt, and create spaces where all voices are heard, regardless of location or ability - let’s make this the new normal. Everyone benefits! #Neurodiversity #Accessibility #Inclusion #GamesIndustry #RemoteWork

The more I discuss smartfun.space, the more validation I receive. Despite being a work in progress, it's inspiring to see positive reactions. smartfun.space is about innovative emotional design, reimagining activity spaces, and reshaping urban environments to make education engaging and available. Targeting young teens (7-14), I envision physical venues promoting self-learning and creativity, inventive systems thinking, more motion (less sitting) and connectedness. I recently pitched this at the Women in Business and Beyond Conference, thanks to Panis Pieri who has kindly invited me to present my work. It was truly unexpected and there was a lot of evolution of the project while I was preparing. Here are the key points: 1. Kids today lack movement and connection, leading to emotional and physical issues. 2. Many working moms are burnt out, lacking quality time with their kids. 3. Modern urban spaces don't cater to basic needs, promoting consumerism over meaningful engagement. smartfun.space aims to change this. I'm grateful for the support and curiosity so far and welcome all the new connections made. Let's connect on a strategic brainstorming session either in Larnaca, Nicosia or Limassol to see how we can collaborate! #Cyprus

Next up → OnLive Games powering up with #RaiseTheGame and industry talent leaders, this is an insightful event on empowering EDI from the forefront! 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲: Empowering EDI in Recruitment The games industry is evolving, and so are its hiring practices. But how can game studios truly embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) from the ground up? Please allow me to introduce one of our panelist Dominic Shaw Dom Shaw is the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Coordinator for Ukie (UK video games and interactive entertainment trade association) who manages and runs the award winning flagship diversity initiative, the #RaiseTheGame pledge, while supporting other activities and initiatives around EDI. Dom has also been a mentor for Limit Break Mentorship for the last 2 years, and has been an ambassador for the UK’s leading autism research charity Autistica since 2019; who strive to make the games industry a more inclusive environment for autistic and neurodiverse individuals. Dom has been recognised for his efforts towards the industry by winning the Diversity Star category at the Develop:Star Awards 2023, received a MCV/DEVELOP 30 Under 30 Award in 2022, was selected as a member of the Game Awards Future Class of 2021 Cohort, and listed on GIBiz’s Game Changers 100 list in 2020. In this engaging LinkedIn Live session, we’ll explore: 🔥 Designing EDI-Focused Hiring Processes: Learn how to build a hiring pipeline that champions diversity and inclusion from day one. 🧩 Overcoming EDI Challenges: Discover the common obstacles game studios face in diverse hiring and the innovative solutions that are making a difference. 🚫 Minimizing Unconscious Bias: Uncover practical strategies to ensure bias is eliminated at every stage of the hiring process, from resume screening to final interviews. 📊 Measuring EDI Success: Find out which metrics matter and how they can drive continuous improvement in your DEI efforts. Don't miss the chance to gain invaluable knowledge here at OnLive Games ↳ Click join below ⬇️ ↳ Share - tell a friend to tell a friend! ↳ Set a reminder 📲 ↳ Grab your snacks 🍩

(Picture related I promise) I know I talk a lot on LinkedIn about digital accessibility but I also wanted to share a little of my experience with physical accessibility. I've been a wheelchair user for around 5 years now and during that time I've had my fair share of disappointment and annoyance around businesses either lying about accessibility or simply not caring. Sadly this also extends to the gaming industry and it sucks! - Consider making seminars, talks and workshops accessible by giving remote options. - Make sure accessibility information is readily available *before* people buy tickets for an event and provide a way for people to ask specific questions. - Provide funding and support for disabled people to attend events in person and offer free tickets for carers. - At events, provide quiet areas for people to use. - Provide accessibility assistance at events where people can ask questions and ask for support. - Please give us better places to take selfies, I don't want toilet selfies but you make all the mirrors so high up 😥 Would really appreciate any of my connections sharing this and if you know someone who runs an event I would love to talk to them! #Accessibility #A11y #GameDev #GamingEvents

Great guidance for event planners and hosting organizations. Thank you Alice Cross! Alice reiterates two of my key mantras for event planners. It's almost like disability led guidance has some common threads (that's sarcasm because it's true - equitable access is the common thread). Clearly state what accessibility considerations are available. Provide contact details for the team/person that will support accessibility. These two elements remove so much of the disability tax and let disabled people know that you've already determined they are a welcome part of your intended audience. #accessibility #disability #AccessibleEvents #MeetingPlanning #EventPlanning #InclusiveEvents

Celebrating International Day of Families: Fostering Strong Bonds Through Video Games Tuttifrutti Wishes You a Happy International Day of Families! 🌺 The family, as the smallest unit of society, plays a crucial role in shaping healthy communities. Our behaviour, values, and interactions are deeply rooted in the family unit. As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of International Day of Families on May 15th, let’s explore an unconventional, yet impactful aspect of family & video games. ---------- The Importance of Family Relationships ---------- The Family Unit: Families serve as the foundation for social development. Our behaviour patterns, communication styles, and emotional well-being are influenced by the relationships we share with our family members. Socially Acceptable Behaviour: Healthy family dynamics contribute to socially acceptable behaviour. When family members engage in positive interactions, it sets a precedent for respectful communication and empathy within society. --------- Video Games and Family Bonding --------- In the modern era, video games have become a significant part of family life. Contrary to the stereotype of video games isolating individuals, they can actually strengthen family bonds. Here’s how: Co-Gaming at Home: Families that play video games together experience shared moments of excitement, teamwork, and friendly competition. Whether it’s solving puzzles, racing cars, or exploring virtual worlds, co-gaming fosters connections. Communication and Cooperation: Video games encourage communication and cooperation. Players strategize, problem-solve, and collaborate, enhancing family members’ ability to work together effectively. Quality Time: Playing video games as a family provides quality time away from daily routines. It’s an opportunity to bond, laugh, and create lasting memories. The Deseret Article: Insights on Video Games and Family Bonds For further insights, check out the article titled “Why Video Games Can Be Part of Family Time and Internet Safety” https://lnkd.in/dDzNNvxz #internationaldayoffamilies #family #relationship #videogames

Is technology taking over moderation duties? Not entirely, and it’s worth exploring what is really happening deploying tech and employing human moderation. This week, I speak with Sharon Fisher about the role of tech and human moderators when it comes to fostering healthy online communities. 👱Humans are still a necessary part of the equation 💻Tech is a tool, when programmed correctly, can be very efficient 🏥Community health depends on a myriad of factors, moderation is one piece of that #trustandsafety #moderation #gaming

🌟 **Tech as a Tool: Enhancing Family Relationships in the Digital Age** 🌟 Ready to strengthen your family bonds in the digital age? From managing routines to creating memory-filled moments, tech can be a powerful ally. 👨👩👧👦✨ **Technology in Family Life**: Discover smart ways to stay connected and organized with family-friendly devices. Embrace tools like family calendars to sync schedules and enhance communication. 📱💬 **Balancing Screen Time**: Maintain healthy boundaries around screen time. Set clear rules and create device-free zones to prioritize face-to-face interactions. 🎮🍿 **Shared Tech Activities**: Enjoy gaming nights and movie marathons together. Utilize platforms like Netflix and fun mobile games to create shared experiences. 🌐❤️ **Virtual Visits & Video Games**: Stay connected across distances with virtual visits. Play video games as a family to build teamwork and have fun. ❓ **How do you use technology to stay connected with your family?** Share your tips and experiences! #ParentingTips #FamilyTech #DigitalAge #ScreenTimeBalance #FamilyBonding #VirtualFamily #TechForKids #ModernParenting #FamilyConnections #SmartParenting #TechSavvyKids

📢 Meta Announces New ‘Screen Smart’ Series of Parent Info Session in the US 📢 As a small family business, these are the types of projects we can get behind 👍 Meta’s running a new series of workshops across the U.S. which are designed to better equip parents in managing their child’s screen time, while also highlighting the potential risks of online exposure, and how to minimize such, where possible. Meta’s “Screen Smart” series will see in-person events hosted in five U.S. cities, with Meta experts on hand to provide workshops, presentations, and more. . . . . #Meta #ScreenSmart #Parenting #OnlineSafety #DigitalParenting #ScreenTime #InternetSafety #ParentWorkshop #FamilyFirst #ChildSafety #ParentingTips #TechEducation #DigitalLiteracy #OnlineSecurity #DigitalWellness #TechParenting #ParentingResources #ParentingSupport #FamilyTech #ScreenSmartSeries