Using Media for Change

At the Florida Disability Access and Awareness Foundation (FDAAF), storytelling has always been one of our most powerful tools. Whether documenting real-world accessibility challenges through our "Wheelchair for a Day" initiative or showcasing inclusive design through our upcoming game AccessEnTree, video has become essential for educating and inspiring conversation.

FDAAF is partnering with ElevenLabs to bring professional-quality narration to video content. This collaboration helps elevate educational videos with clear, engaging, studio-level voice narration—reaching more people with accessibility messaging.

Why Narration Matters

The "Wheelchair for a Day" series places volunteers into wheelchairs for 24 hours to experience real-world barriers. High-quality narration guides viewers through these experiences, providing context and explaining accessibility standards.

Bringing AccessEnTree to Life

The partnership also supports narration for clips from AccessEnTree. Players build a vibrant village while learning about inclusive design—adding ramps, Braille signage, accessible doors, and other features creating environments everyone can use.

Looking Ahead

This collaboration represents another step in FDAAF's mission to raise awareness about disability access through creativity, technology, and storytelling. Together, we can continue breaking down barriers—one story at a time.

Accessibility is at the heart of many businesses and foundations, but what does being accessible mean exactly? Some people may believe that being accessible means having a wheelchair ramp or elevator. Others may believe it may be giving extended time to students with learning disabilities. Yes, it does mean these two things but that is not an all-inclusive list.

Accessibility at our foundation takes the face of our volunteers working unpaid hours to create a video game featuring a cop named Jessie. Accessibility is Jessie not being looked down upon for being a war vet. Accessibility is us providing audio versions of this post for our visually impaired friends.

In my daycare working days, I had a training about availability vs accessibility. The term availability meant what was available in the room. Accessibility was what the children had access to.

We have a survey helping us make our video game, Changed, accessible to more groups of people. Our main character Jessie is a war vet who is also a cop. Our game shows his struggles and victories, and his journey. You can help us make our game more accessible for people with disabilities. Your small sacrifice of time can make a big difference.

YOU can make a change!

Take the survey →

Welcome to our blog. We will be updating here regularly about our game and other cool stuff. If you would like to stay informed, join our mailing list.

Since 2013, the Florida Disability Access and Awareness Foundation (FDAAF) has worked to support individuals with disabilities. The organization's mission focuses on creating media that promotes disability inclusion while challenging stereotypes.

Led by President Ralph Strzalkowski, an attorney with cerebral palsy, FDAAF is developing video games as engagement tools. Strzalkowski explains: "The philosophy of FDAAF regarding these games is create engagement and discussions on disability" to raise awareness about accessibility and participation.

The organization's team brings diverse perspectives. Zachary Taylor, the Lead Developer, lost his hearing and balance to meningitis at a young age. This diversity strengthens their work.

The foundation plans to launch a social media game in the coming months, followed by a larger national release. Reflecting on the collaborative effort, Strzalkowski states: "A bunch of strangers with diverse perspectives coming in to build something for the greater good—I think there's nothing better."

I believe in giving to the community and doing things that matter. I believe in helping people like me. If there's something positive I can use my skills and education for, I will do it. But I'm also a realist. I wasn't too keen on jumping in to build yet another nonprofit, because I understand how difficult it is to make it work.

But I know what it's like. I have a disability too, I've been in a wheelchair all my life. I know how frustrated I get if I'm planning to go somewhere—not knowing how much my condition will get in the way of enjoying my night. Will I be able to use the restroom? Will I even be able to get in? Inclusion comes from people with disabilities being able to do things for themselves.

That is how the Florida Disability Access and Awareness Foundation came to be. The mission: to give the power back to individuals with disabilities. Information is that power and education is the key.

With that in mind, I reached out to people who have, in one way or another, been involved with or affected by disabilities. We chose Gainesville, Florida as a starting point to test some of our ideas, but our dreams and ambitions are broader. Ideally, in time, we'll be able to hire people with disabilities—not in spite of their conditions, but because of their experience.

We live in an age of video games, social media and apps that have integrated themselves with our everyday lives. I'm excited to learn what role they can play in disability inclusion and how we can use them to change perceptions and build self-confidence. A modern take on disability with modern tools for modern times.

It's an exciting time for us, but we need help to keep going. Please consider helping us by spreading the word and donating if you can. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and your donations are tax-deductible.