Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability

Learn about the upcoming "Gaming Seriously: How Esports Support STEM Readiness in Inclusive Postsecondary Education" with Dr. Moshe Karabelnik, Masako Imanishi, Dr. Nyle Sky Kauweloa, & Justice Routon at https://go.hawaii.edu/i3h!!

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In recent years, colleges and universities have increasingly used esports as a tool for recruiting and retaining students, particularly in STEM fields. Esports have become a gateway for postsecondary students who may not have had prior access to STEM education, offering new ways to build soft skills essential for future success.

Despite the growth of inclusive postsecondary programs and advances in game accessibility, individuals with disabilities still face barriers that limit full participation in digital gaming communities, including esports teams. This highlights the need for initiatives that go beyond access, focusing on skill development and building resilient gaming communities where students can strengthen social connections and develop self-determination skills.

This panel presents “Level Up Mānoa,” an inclusive summer camp developed by the Post-Secondary Support Project at the Center on Disability Studies in collaboration with UH Esports. The camp incorporated STEM-focused activities structured to promote independence, self-advocacy, and goal-setting, creating continuity between experiential learning, personal growth, and future academic or career pathways.

The panel will explore the concept of serious gaming, emphasizing career skills developed through esports and the environmental model of disability studies, highlighting how a structured, supportive environment of resilience and opportunity can foster long-term success for students with disabilities.
Learn more https://go.hawaii.edu/i3h!!

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41st Pacific Rim International Conference on Disability
May 27-30, 2026
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi (in person with virtual options) pacrim.coe.hawaii.edu
email listserv: http://eepurl.com/g79LAX
Center on Disability Studies, Association of University Centers on Disabilities