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Background: Ben Simmonds
Ben attended a SEN school before moving into mainstream education at age 9. Despite being told he would not achieve GCSEs, he went on to complete a degree in Agriculture at Reading University, the UK’s leading institution for the subject. Games have been a lifeline for Ben, sparking friendships, regular boardgaming evenings, and a strong interest in history. During COVID, he began learning game development, with a focus on accessibility to ensure that everyone can play together regardless of disability.
Expertise
Ben has over 28 years of lived experience with disability and more than six years of experience teaching swordfighting to young people aged 7 and above, alongside Mark, using game-based activities. He also brings knowledge of accessible game design and development, creating inclusive play opportunities for all.
Qualifications
Ben holds a BSc in Agriculture with Industrial Training from Reading University. He has completed the Mentorship & Allyship Training Course with Limit Break Mentoring and the Don’t Take It Personally: A Guide to Self Advocacy Speaking programme through Safe in Our World, Certificate in Child Protection for Tutors.
Traits
Ben is autistic and is particularly insightful when discussing disability and strengths-based approaches. He is known for his gentle, encouraging, and friendly mentoring style, and takes a creative and tailored approach to helping others achieve their goals.
Favorite games
Ben enjoys strategy, role-playing, and cosy games. His favourites include Rome Total War Remastered, Age of Mythology: Retold, Harvest Moon / Story of Seasons, Pokémon, Tabletop Simulator, and Shieldwall.
Interests
Ben’s interests include swordfighting, playing board and computer games, and prototyping and coding C# games in Unity. He regularly attends game conferences, particularly those focused on accessibility, and contributes to podcasts and videos sharing his experiences of autism. He is also active in serving his local church.