Every Donation Makes a Difference

Disability Assist is a small charity and we have just a handful of employees who support thousands of people across Kent with physical disabilities or disabling long-term health conditions each year.  We know first hand just how much of a difference fundraising can make, not just financially but also in raising awareness of the challenges disabled people face every day. 

Recently, we have been incredibly grateful to have the support of a Twitch streamer known as Swyftewinter, who has been fundraising for us.  During a series of live streams, she has been taking on a unique challenge to create accessible homes in The Sims 2 and Paralives games, while chatting about disability representation, accessibility and inclusive design in online gaming.

Accessibility in Gaming

The first build follows Kate Lichen and her cat, Filo, in The Sims 2. Although the game is over 20 years old and has very limited accessibility features, Swyftewinter's stream explored imaginative ways to create an accessible home. Oars placed in the bathroom became the closest substitute for grab rails, carefully chosen flooring created the appearance of smooth, step-free surfaces, and even the computer desk reflected one of the game's quirks since a chair had to be included because Sims can't use a computer without one, even though the home was designed to be wheelchair friendly. Even the character of Kate was made as a glasses-wearer because the game does not allow any disability option for characters.

Screenshot of The Sims 2 bathroom build, featuring oars as makeshift grab rails.

The recreation in Paralives highlighted just how far game design has come.  Although still in limited Early Access release, Paralives includes genuine accessibility features such as grab rails and mobility aids. The new household introduces Mael Winterstorm, a wheelchair user with a prosthetic leg, alongside his live-in carer and close friend Robyn Wood, who wears hearing aids. Small details throughout the home, including spare crutches, extra hearing aids and a sign language book beside the bed, sparked thoughtful conversations about inclusive design and disability representation in games.

Screenshot of a bedroom in Paralives. The room includes a bed with spare crutches next to it and a sign language book on the bedside table.

Swyftewinter explained that she was inspired to fundraise for Disability Assist after seeing the impact our service had on a close friend:

" Disability Assist helped out my friend during a really tough time. Seeing her demeanour change for the better after she got their help made clear just how good they are."

Stories like this remind us why fundraising matters so much.  Disability is not often discussed in the gaming world so we were delighted to hear that these important conversations inspired a wonderful community to give something back.  Swyftewinter’s fundraising page is still open so if you would like to make a donation. 

How You Can Support Us

Every donation really does make a difference for a small charity like ours.  We are proud to provide specialist support that changes lives but, behind the scenes, keeping those services running is becoming increasingly challenging.  A significant proportion of our income comes from a contract with Kent County Council, which is awarded through a competitive procurement processes.  The contract is not guaranteed and funding can change from year to year.  This makes our income unpredictable even though demand for our services continues to grow. 

Sadly, many small charities have already had to reduce services or close altogether because funding has simply not been able to keep up with the pace of what is needed.  We want to continue supporting disabled people when they need us most but we can only do that with the backing of our community.

If you would like to support our work, there are several easy ways to help. 

Make a donation

You can make a one-off or regular monthly donation through the Donate Now button on the top right of our website.  We also have several other options for giving that can be found on the Support Us page, such as standing orders, payroll giving and legacies.  Every contribution helps us continue providing advice and support to disabled people in our community. 

One of the most touching ways people choose to support us is by making a cash or cheque donation after they have received help from us such as receiving successful benefits advice, advocacy or another of our services.  These unexpected gifts mean a great deal to us.  Not only do they help us continue providing life-changing support to other disabled people but they also give a real boost to the morale of the staff member who delivered that support, knowing that the difference they have made has inspired someone to give back. We are incredibly grateful for every donation we receive, whatever the amount. 

Donate while you shop

You can also support us completely free of charge by signing up to Easyfundraising.  When you shop online with thousands of participating retailers, they donate to us at no extra cost to you.  It is a simple way to make everyday shopping go a little further.  Simply go through Easyfundraising when you shop online and search for our charity when you sign up.

Fundraise for us

If Swyftewinter has inspired you, why not consider fundraising for us yourself?  You could take on a challenge of your own, organise a bake sale, host a quiz night, or come up with your own unique idea. Every fundraiser helps us reach more people who need our services.

Thank you to everyone who has donated, shared our work, or supported fundraisers like Swyftewinter.  Your kindness and generosity help to ensure that we are here for the people who rely on us today and into the future.

Support Disability Assist