This article was published on July 5, 2016

Microsoft’s adding a wheelchair option for Xbox avatars, which is awesome


Microsoft’s adding a wheelchair option for Xbox avatars, which is awesome

In an upcoming update for Xbox, Microsoft is adding wheelchairs as a new accessory option for gamer avatars.

Mike Ybarra, Partner Director of Program Management, Xbox and Windows Platform at Microsoft, tweeted a sneak preview of the avatars earlier today – with options available on both female and male characters.

It’s a move that echoed the sentiments from Lego, which added a wheelchair figurine to its lineup earlier this year. Parents of disabled children and disabled gamers themselves have long petitioned for better representation in toys, so it’s great to see these efforts finally come to fruition.

While Ybarra did not say when to expect the update to roll out, we do some some new facial changes to the avatars. With a slimmer Xbox One S due out in August, expect something between now and then.

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