Pioneers: Ken Yankelevitz
Quadriplegic Accessible Gaming for 30+ years
"KYE was started in 1981 when Atari referred Ken Yankelevitz to a teenage quadriplegic in Pennsylvania who wanted to play video games. His family and church were searching for something to spark his interest in living after his accident."
Discover the deeper story of KY Enterprises and how it weaves through the history of accessible gaming, Atari, Nintendo and beyond.
Ken Yankelevitz Gallery
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Ken Yankelevitz
Please note! The KY Enterprises contact details are no longer valid. There is no on-going support for these controllers, nor anywhere to buy them aside from the likes of eBay.
• AbleData - About (1993-2007)
• A.N.A.L.O.G. Computing (Jul 1983)
• Electronic Games (Oct 1982 p83)
• Electronic Games (Dec 1984)
• EG Letters page (Oct 1984 p16)
• RESNA conference notes (Jun 1983)
• Electronic Games (Feb 1983)
ARTICLES and VIDEO
• YouTube KYE playlist (2026)
• Ken Yankelevitz (Markus Spöhrer) (2026)
• 31st August (2016)
• Accessible Gaming (Karma Europe) (2014)
• Evolution of Equality (New Mobility) (2014)
• Quadstick.com
• Quadstick Kickstarter (Fred Davison) (2014)
• Ken's call for help (2014)
• OneSwitch e-mail interview with Ken (2012)
• 30 Years of Quadriplegic Gaming (NBC) (2011)
• Video Gaming for Quadripegics (ABC) (2011)
• Truly Innovative Controllers (TGR) (2009)
• CEAPAT 57 Spain (2008)
• CEAPAT 56 Spain (2008)
• CEAPAT 56 & 57 English AI translation
• Playstation 2 Official Magazine UK (2007)
• Disabled Gamers want more than 'fluffy' choices (Chicago Tribune) (2007)
• Accessible Gaming Pioneers (OneSwitch) (2005)
• Help! I've got Pac-Man Fever (DATI) (2004)
• Quadcontrol.com (archive 1999-2016)
• Personal Computers and the Handicapped (1984 p49)
• The LA Times (12 Jun 1983)
• Joystik (Apr 1983 p62)
• Blip (Apr 1983)
• Video Games magazine (Mar 1983)
• The Video Game Update (Dec 1982)
• Spirit (McDonnell Douglas) (Oct 1982)
• Atari referrals (1981)
• Computer Flight Simulation (1971)
• 1982 Games Room music
• Accessible Car (p.59)
• Horse Riding volunteer work (2008)
• Hunt for KYE model 403 (2013)
• EZRA
• PILOT TRS-80 (1979)
• RobertFlorio.com
• Robert Florio 2008 interview
• RockyNoHands
• Spinal_Crush (Twitch)
• 1984 Atari Mindlink - more
• 1983 Atari Kids' Controller - more
• 1983 John Dutton
• 1983 Atari Special Olympics
• 1982 Atari Special Olympics - more
• 1981 Atari Special Feature
• 1981 "Are you left handed?"
• 1981 Recreational Therapy (Play Meter)
• 1980 Atari's Games Room Therapy - video
• 1980 Robbie Marince
• 1978 Atari HQ Games Room
• 1978 Vidcom (Atari Healthcare Systems)
• 1978 Nolan Bushnell (New York Times)
• 1978 Brain Injury Rehabilitation (Dr. William Lynch)
• 1978 Canyon Bomber one button game
• 1977 "Little People Play"
• 1977 "Handicapped Children Enjoy Atari"
• 1977 Atari VCS 9-pin controller port standard
• 1974 Touch Me audio game
• 1972 Bushnell's Law
PRIOR SIP-PUFF / HEAD-CONTROL SYSTEMS
• MAVIS (1975-1981)
• VAPC Magnavox Odyssey (1972)
• Rancho Mouth Control (1969)
• POSM / Possum (1960)
• Emik Avakian (1950s)
Credits: Ken Yankelevitz and family. Markus Spöhrer (for extra resources and GAconf video). thecellartroll (Spirit A3 scans). The superb Atari Compendium (Coin Connection articles and some photos). Fred Davison (Quadstick.com). Tony "The Arcade Blogger" Temple for sharing the 1980 Atari Games room video.
Music for the gallery by the talented E-boy Volkihar.
Photographs have been mostly sourced from Ken Yankelevitz's family archives. They are used here to illustrate game accessibility history and to give tribute to all involved. If anyone would like an image removed, please get in touch.