games  anime  |  toys
Destructoid is gaming news, community, videos, and sometimes love. Take the tour or jump in with Facebook:

 


Wiimote allows creativity for the disabled with Digital Wheel Art photo

I will admit that the Wiimote is not my controller of choice, but seeing it used in new and creative ways does give me the kind of warm fuzzies that only good deeds can. The image you see above was created by means of a program called Digital Wheel Art, which was created by YoungHyun Chung, who got the idea after noticing that children affected with cerebral palsy were restricted from artistic expression due to their disorder.

How does the Wiimote figure in, you ask? Well, it is attached to the wheelchair itself and broadcasts information via Bluetooth to a painting program on the screen in front of the user. My using small movements such as head tilts to change color and movement to draw lines, a disabled person can create art in a way they could not before. Sure, it's no Van Gogh, but compared to nothing, it may be a catharsis that fully physically capable people may not always realize the value of.

Amazing stuff. Check out the creator's website for more video and information.

[Via Gizmodo -- Thanks, Tiff!]


Continue: More Wiimote stories





prev next

22 comments | showing # 1 to 22

Merry Ho's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 14:18
Merry Ho
That is pretty awesome, I'm glad to see video games being used in innovative ways to help others.
mix's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 14:27
mix
It's pretty cool that they are doing stuff like this as everyone should be able to express themselves through art in one form or another.
JT706's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 14:41
JT706
Video games for the disabled? This is taking that blue ocean idea to a whole new level.
KMCC's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 14:44
KMCC
Good point at the end there.
necrozen's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 14:45
necrozen
Good to see folks going beyond the intended use of the Wiimote. That thing was built to be tinkered with.
MATTFOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 14:52
MATTFOO
DO WANT!
niacin's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 14:55
niacin
It's always nice to hear ways that can improve the quality of life for sufferers of cerebral palsy and other serious disorders. Just living day today isn't really enough and finding outlets to help them express themselves is in my opinion just as important as finding ways to extend their lifespans. Though obviously not as important as finding a cure.
MechaMonkey's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 14:57
MechaMonkey
That's unbelievably fantastic. How come news agencies can't carry stories like this, explaining the good that developments in video gaming can create.
kariomart's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 15:24
kariomart
Don't worry Mecha, they will once it's used to create a lewd or violent image. I imagine the headline will be along the lines of "NINTENDO FORCES ITS EVIL ON THE DISABLED".
Rifter01's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 16:01
Rifter01
Cool cool.. lol w/kariomart
Demtor's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 16:14
Demtor
Thats... pretty amazing for Nintendo to show attention to the handicapped. This is very cool, and I hate the Wii. We gamers tend to take a lot of things for granted. I find this to be pretty moving actually. If anyone has ever had physically challenged or disabled family or friends, I'm sure they would agree.
savagesaladin's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 16:42
savagesaladin
"Ooooh, its art!" No, its just a bunch of scribbles. But we'll tell the crips its art to make them feel good about themselves. But if someone draws a bunch of soup cans and calls it art again I'm rolling them down the fucking stairs.
Blujosh's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 17:16
Blujosh
Savage,that is harsh,not everyone can experiance things in the same way,its giving disabled people a chance to enjoy painting or w/e
MisterMingo's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 18:31
MisterMingo
Hey Savagesaladin, go fuck yourself. I'm severely handicapped and was trying to become an artist before I got too weak.

Like a fucking idiot like you would ever understand being trapped in a body that disallows you creative freedom.

"Oh how cute, the little crips like to scribble."

Fuck you.
xe-cute's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 19:30
xe-cute
@savagesaladin - I've seen some amazing pieces of art from disabled people, some far greater than what many fully abled (and some professional) artists can do. You are truly simply an idiot.

I've seen works of art from a blind person who uses brail on canvas and paints over it with his fingers and knows the colours by texture and taste, he does amazing pop art style paintings and even some fine art paintings (which take him a considerable amount of more time).

I have also seen art from people who paint with there feet holding the brush and someone with no limbs that paints with there mouth holding the brush and they can paint just as good as any other good artist.

Just a few weeks ago I saw an item on someone who paints with only there tounge and no brushes and it looks like classical fine art.

None of the above artists I would of known had a disability if it was not for specificaly being told.


If this can help people as less dedicated as the above but who just want to create art for the fun of it than whats the problem with that? I am sure many will enjoy it and may even persue a career out of it... AND WHY NOT!
Mxyzptlk's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 21:20
Mxyzptlk
Warm fuzzies indeed, major awesome points to YoungHyun Chung.
Crumpet Lips's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/06/2008 23:40
Crumpet Lips
That's really neat. A family friend of ours has muscle degenerative disease and she used to be a really good artist, this would be great for her (she can barely move her arms and hands now, it sucks).

Thanks for the news story mate
Brahms's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/07/2008 12:03
Brahms
From an artistic perspective, I'd be fascinated if someone became skilled enough to paint pictures they were happy with. It'd provide a unique perspective that I'd certainly love to see.
The Unforgivable's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/07/2008 15:08
The Unforgivable
awesome.
scampos's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/26/2008 13:38
scampos
Once the images are created, is there anyway to send them to a wireless digital frame?
tonyg's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 12:29
tonyg
I always knew video games have good uses 2

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.HiTechVendors.com">SDCFH Cards</a>
tonyg's Avatar - Comment posted on 04/21/2009 12:31
tonyg
<a href="http://www.HiTechVendors.com">SDCFH Cards</a>
prev next

Comment with Facebook





Click connect and comment instantly!

Comment with Dtoid





New? SIGN UP - it takes 5 seconds

Comments policy

Destructoid is an open discussion community. You don't need to "audition" to post a comment - just speak your mind. We respect differing opinions on the site, so have at it. Be smart, funny, insightful, clueless, or cute -- but back it up with substance. Keep your cool, keep it fun. We only ask that you act respectfully and above all: don't be a troll and ruin it for everyone else. Don't bring down gamers or we'll, you know, gently shoot you in the face and stuff you into a flaming mailbox. Each comment is your opportuntity to make this community awesomer. Is that even a word?

Avoiding the banhammer only requires common sense: spamming, trolling, racism, NSFW stuff, and other forms of sucking will not be tolerated. If anyone is griefing please report abuse. Be good. Don't suck!

 
New on Destructoid.TV play all videos

Loading
Loading Destructoid Videos


    Win this!
    Dive in! meetup+play for a chance to win a PC

    Dtoid Twitter    Got news?   tips@destructoid.com

    Reviews & Previews
    Crossfire Remote Pistol review
    Resident Evil: The Darkside Chronicles review
    Left 4 Dead 2 review
    Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Reflex review
    Arkedo Series - 02 SWAP! review
    more reviews
    Driver
    Avatar
    GT Racing Motor Academy
    Bad Company 2 beta dishes out meaningful experiences
    Legend of Zelda Spirit Tracks
    more previews


    - The Dtoid Army is 50836 strong -

    Showing Cblogs with 3+ faps   show all

    Call for entries: do the wrong thing

    New to Dtoid? Read the survival guide




     Originals
    Jonathan Holmes: Why No More Heroes HD could mean a Wii total victory





















    More Destructoid Originals




     Popular now more






















    Team Destructoid   tips@destructoid.com
    Nick Chester
    Editor-in-Chief
    Niero
    Founder, publisher
    Jim Sterling
    Reviews Editor
    Hamza Aziz
    Community Manager
    Dale North
    News Editor
    Rey Gutierrez
    Video editor & director
    Anthony Burch
    Features Editor
    Colette Bennett
    Tom Fronczak Brad Nicholson
    Ashley Davis Ben Perlee
    Conrad
    Zimmerman
    Chad Concelmo
    Jonathan Holmes Jonathan Ross
    Brad Rice Jordan Devore
    Will Maddock Matthew Razak
    Dyson Joseph Leray
    Topher Cantler Samit Sarkar
         
      Dexter
    Adam Dork
    Daniel Lingen
    Hollie Bennett
    Joe Burling
    Mikey
    Stella Wong

    Josh Tolentino




     

     
      get involved

    register or login
    post a blog
    post a forum
    enter a contest
    contribute a news tip
    suggest a feature
    be a guest editor
    support

    new member's guide
    login assistance
    tech support
    report abuse
    email our editors
    read our dev blog
    nuclear crisis?
    keep in touch

    RSS feed
    Twitter
    Facebook
    Myspace
    Flickr
    Game nights
    Meetup+play online
    seriously

    about Destructoid
    advertising
    terms of use
    privacy policy
    jobs at MM
    buy our crap
    our network

    Tomopop
    Japanator
    Despingation?




    Destructoid is an independently-run publication forged by our love of video games and the gaming community's need of accountable enthusiast press
    living the dream since March 16, 2006