MikeTheQuad
Advocate Devil 😈
C6 Quadriplegic | Elgato Partner | Xbox Next Level Creator | Capcom Creator | Future Class 2021 | Xbox Adaptive Controller Pro | Disability and Inclusive Design advocate for spinal cord injuries | Sweaty Apex Legends player
@mikethequad
Welcome!I'm an accessibility and inclusive design advocate, disabled veteran, and sweaty but friendly gamer. Let's build a community where we can advocate gaming for everyone! Because when everyone can game, we all win!recent highlights:
elgato partner
xbox next level creator
capcom creator
art by @artbydeegar
current partnerships
- elgato partner
- xbox next level creator
- capcom creator
elgato
MikeTheQuad
gaming
Let's build a community where we can advocate gaming for everyone! Because when everyone can game, we all win!
featured in...
about mike
Hi it's Mike aka MikeTheQuad. I'm a C6 quadriplegic spinal cord injury from a motorcycle accident in 2011.
why I game
My gaming experience started as the unplugged player two, watching my brother play Super Mario while I hold a controller mimicking his gameplay.My first console I owned was the Sega Genesis. Which lead to owning a Sega 32x, Sega Saturn, Sony Playstation, Xbox, and the Xbox 360.I've mastered the art of configuring setups for people with motor disabilities. Helping gamers like myself game again, that was my calling.
what is quadgaming?
Quad gaming is accessibility
my gaming setup
custom purple xbox adaptive controller, logitech buttons and classic xbox controller
how I game
my adaptive gaming setup includes:
-custom purple xbox adaptive controller
-logitech adaptive kit
-classic xbox controller
-lap pad
-velcro / other surface adhesives
full setup:
Xbox Series X
Xbox One Elite 2 controller
Xbox Adaptive Controller (Co-Piloted)
Logitech Adaptive Gaming kit buttons
Logitech G Fits
2x 1440p/144hz ASUS TUF monitors
2x Elgato Facecams
Elgato Wave DX w/ LP mic arm
2x Elgato Key Lights
Elgato Ring Light
my story
August 7, 2011 I was on the outskirts of Richmond, Virginia. Riding on my Suzuki SV650 from a group ride. The storm was coming in and we decided to go home. I was cut off by a truck at an intersection, crashing in the grass instantly breaking my neck suffering a C6 spinal cord injury.
from Mike to MikeTheQuad
I essentially quit console gaming when I was injured in 2011 and didn't really start to figure anything out until 2016 with finally investing into expensive adaptive controllers, when maintaining these adaptive controllers became daunting, I quit again.It wasn't until Warfighter Engaged and Xbox showed me the Xbox Adaptive Controller was when I knew I could help other people.
Before my injury, I was an US Army officer awaiting to take company command in Logitistics. I also happened to be an avid gamer.I found that adaptive gaming technology was severely lacking, so I set forth to advocate for adaptive technology in gaming because it's a win-win situation for companies and consumers.After over a decade of having a spinal cord injury, learning to adapt, and finally working with companies on accessibility and inclusive design, I've found my career. And it's lead me to live the mantra of "When everyone can game, we all win"
And you'll find me on all sorts of fun adventures
Twitch Con Las Vegas 2023
Accessibility Co-Design 2023
<-click the arrows to check out more photos ->
"I’ve found my name to be a great icebreaker to talk about disabilities." - Mike Luckett (MikeTheQuad) to Wired
""It's a really cool escape," [Mike] said. "You get to immerse yourself into a world that you don't normally involve yourself in.""
Spartan Race
"Mike and company charged up the hill and on to the next round of obstacles that included the rings and rope climb" - Spartan Race Re-Cap, 2018
Mike completing a Spartan Racing spanning over 4 miles and 22 obstacles successfully adapting to the challenges
AOTA Conferences
Warfighter Engaged at the American Occupational Therapy Association
Salt Lake City (2018)
American Occupational Therapy Association New Orleans (2019)
scroll for a full list of publications, panels, organizations/companies and accolades
interviews, articles and other published work as of
october 10th, 2023
| Source | Publication |
|---|---|
| The Star | Microsoft’s new Xbox controller courts gamers with disabilities |
| WPI HUB | Mike Luckett, Accessibility Gaming Advocate |
| The Michigan Daily | Alternative controllers and inclusive innovations in the gaming world |
| Spinal Cord Injury Zone | Microsoft controller makes gaming more accessible to people with disabilities |
| VentureBeat | Microsoft controller makes gaming more accessible to people with disabilities |
| Matrix Warehouse | Disabled Streamers and Gamers and Technology |
| Source | Publication |
|---|---|
| NDSP Plan Managers | The Impacts of Gaming on People with Disability |
| Newa Beezer | This Xbox Controller provides clever ways to disable people from playing |
| Organization | Panel | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Microsoft | Microsoft Ability Summit Speaker | 2023 |
| Microsoft | Internal Microsoft Panel on Accessibility Experiences with Gaming | 2023 |
| XBOX | XBOX Disability Pride Month Featured Panelist Showcasing Halo Infinite | July 2022 |
| XBOX | Featured Twitch Streamer Showcasing Monster Hunter Rise | January 2022 |
| GaConf | Motor Accessibility In Gaming – The Barriers We Still Face | 2021 |
| Colorado Springs Comic Con | Guest and Panelist | August 2019 |
| SXSW (South by Southwest) panelist | Inclusive Design: NOTHING ABOUT US, WITHOUT US | 2019 |
SXSW Panelist
XBOX Disability Pride Panel gaming feature
XBOX gaming feature
Organizations, companies and accolades as of
October 10th, 2023
| Who | About | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Elgato | Partnered Creator | 2023 |
| Microsoft | Next Level Creator | 2023 |
| Guiness World Records | Largest esports team for people with disabilities | 2022 |
| Nerve Gaming Apex Legends Team | Team Member | 2022 |
| The Game Awards | Future Class Member | 2021 |
| Happy People | Twitch Team | 2020-2023 |
| Oscar Mike Militia | Wheelchair Rugby Team Member | 2019 |
| Denver Harlequins | Wheelchair Rugby Team Member | 2018 |
| Warfighter Engaged – 501c3 non-profit | Social Media Manager | 2017-2019 |
| Spartan Race Sprint | Finished Contestant for Team OscarMike | 2018 |
| Logitech | Logitech Adaptive Gaming kit beta tester | 2017 |
| Xbox | Xbox Adaptive Controller beta tester | 2017 |
| US Army | Retired Captain | 2009-2013 |
Volunteering & Charity
| Organization | About | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Craigs Hostpital Adaptive Gaming Program | Over 500 hours in-person volunteer time and raised/funded ~$10,000 for hospital programs & accessible gaming equipment | 2017-2023 |
interested in an article, interview, or panel with me?contact
mikethequad@gmail.com
xbox adaptive controller ad
(featured appearance)
xbox adaptive controller
Game Awards 2021:
future class
CNET: Xbox's new Adaptive Controller for accessibility first look
scroll for more