Geraldton has new gaming space aimed at creating a safe environment for people with disability

The owner of a dedicated gaming facility for neurodiverse people in Geraldton says it provides the same camaraderie sporting clubs provide, without having to step too far out of their comfort zone. The Zone is a space for people with disabilities to game in a safe space where they can interact with the people around them. Tammy Treasure, the owner of the Zone, has a background as a nurse and has worked with computers for the past 12 years. She was inspired to create the space because of her two children who are on the autism spectrum. “There’s just nothing in Geraldton for them to get the social interaction and all those good things you normally get from a sports club,” she said. “They’re not going to play sports, so my husband and I decided that we’d take my experience and put it to good use.” After a conversation with her sons’ occupational therapist, she discovered there was a lack of places where people with autism could go and feel safe to interact with others. “People on the spectrum tend to think, communicate, interact slightly differently to people that aren’t on the spectrum,” Ms Treasure said. “This is a place that’s basically a space for them to talk about something that’s actually interesting to them. “I don’t think there’s anything more important than that ability to interact with other people.” People who receive funding through the NDIS are able to use it at the Zone. Sessions are priced at $90 per hour, which is in line with the NDIS fee structure, according to Ms Treasure. The Zone is open from Tuesday to Saturday, with clients able to book two or four-hour sessions, and spaces are only available by appointment. They limit the numbers to five clients per session, with computers, virtual reality rooms, and a shared gaming space all available to use. There is also a chill-out zone in case any players need a break during their gaming. “It (chill-out zone) keeps the noise down, it keeps down that social anxiety,” Ms Treasure said. “By limiting the numbers, we can create a space that’s cohesive for people that are on the spectrum or have a disability.” The Zone will host an open day on Friday, May 3 from 2-6pm, where adults with disability can test some of the facilities with no commitments. Ms Treasure said the event was created as it could be difficult for some neurodiverse people to give large amounts of time to new things. “They can just come in and have a free game, check out the space, see if they feel like it’s something that they can come and do without any commitment,” she said. “Sometimes making a commitment to attend somewhere for a long period of time is difficult for people on the spectrum.” In the future, Ms Treasure hopes to cater the facility for table-top games like Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering.