Board GamesAccessibilityRetail

From Birds to Beaches: Why Designer Elizabeth Hargrave’s Accessibility Approach Matters to Game Stores

tthe game

2026-02-06 12:00:00

9 min read

How Elizabeth Hargrave’s accessibility-first Sanibel model should change game-store merchandising, demos, and accessory bundles for 2026.

Hook: Your store misses customers when games aren’t designed — or merchandised — for everyone

Gamers tell you what they want: clear specs, trustworthy demos, easy-to-find accessories, and events that welcome friends with different abilities. Yet many stores still lose sales because limited editions sell out online, rulebooks are tiny, demo setups are noisy, or product pages don’t say whether a game is friendly for older players, neurodivergent customers, or people with low vision. That gap is your opportunity.

In short: Why Elizabeth Hargrave’s accessibility-first approach matters to stores

Elizabeth Hargrave built household-name success with Wingspan and doubled down on accessibility with Sanibel — a game she designed with her dad’s needs in mind. That intentional design does two things for retail: it widens the addressable audience and makes in-store experiences easier to demo and sell.

Retailers that adopt an accessibility-first merchandising and demo strategy capture more foot traffic, reduce returns, and create loyal customers — especially among older adults, parents buying for mixed-ability households, and the growing cohort of gamers who value inclusive design.

Why this matters now (2026 context)

Post‑2024 retail rebound + hybrid events: Physical stores are running demos and hybrid livestreams again — accessibility wins more attendees and online viewers.
Inclusive design momentum: Publishers in late 2025 increasingly highlight accessible play modes and clear component specs; retailers who mirror that transparency sell cleaner and faster.
AI-curated curation and personalization: Stores using AI to recommend bundles need accurate accessibility metadata to meaningfully upsell to diverse players.

What Sanibel (and Wingspan) teach retailers — five practical lessons

Design for older hands and low-vision readers. Sanibel’s bag boards and tactile shells show how component shape and heft matter. In a store, sell and demo with enlarged rulebooks, sample tactile tokens, and magnifiers at the table.
Make learning frictionless. Hargrave’s games favor clear iconography and intuitive turns. Merchants should spotlight “how to play in 10 minutes” displays and short video loops beside the box.
Use components as sales tools. Let shoppers touch representative components — shells, tokens, and trays — to feel quality and accessibility features. That tactile proof reduces online returns.
Train staff with empathy. Store associates that can explain compact accessibility choices (e.g., large type rules, colorblind-friendly symbols) convert uncertain browsers into purchasers.
Bundle inclusively. Offer accessory bundles — large-print rules, tactile inserts, quiet timers — as optional buy-ups at the register or on product pages.

Merchandising & curation: a step-by-step plan inspired by Sanibel

1. Product pages and shelf tags: make accessibility visible

Online and in-store, list accessibility attributes prominently. Use a simple, consistent taxonomy so customers can compare at a glance.

Accessibility tags: Large print rules, tactile components, low-vision friendly, colorblind safe, single-player options, quiet mode.
Spec card: Average play time, dominant motor demand (fine/gross), recommended reading level, and a short one-line accessibility note (e.g., “Designed for older hands; includes large shell tokens”).
Visual cues: Use icons for top attributes and include a QR code linking to a 90-second demo video and an audio rules file.

2. In-store displays: demo-ready, touch-first setups

Arrange demo tables so the components are reachable, labels are legible from a standing position, and staff can sit with customers. Your demo table should be a sales engine, not just a play space.

Height-adjustable tables and chairs to welcome wheelchair users and older adults.
Sample trays showing replacement parts and accessibility accessories (magnifiers, textured tokens, color contrast mats).
Short guided-play placards: “Start here — 5 steps to play Sanibel” that reduce cognitive load for newcomers.

3. Layout and curation: group by player needs, not just genre

Instead of only shelving by genre or publisher, create cross-cutting displays such as “Easy Start & Family Favorites,” “Quiet & Relaxing,” and “Accessible Picks — Low Vision & Easy Setup.” Curate Sanibel alongside Wingspan and accessories so buyers see a complete purchase path.

Demo & events playbook: host inclusive sessions that convert

Event types that work

Sensory-friendly mornings: Lower volume, dimmer lights, limited attendance, noise-cancelling headphones on hand.
Age-forward afternoons: Target older players with slower-paced demos, magnifiers, and larger component previews.
Hybrid livestream demos: Cameras focus on hands and components; include subtitles and audio-described segments for remote viewers.

Runbooks: how to staff and script inclusive demos

Pre-event: List accessibility features on the event page and accept RSVPs for specific needs (seating, interpreters, assistive devices).
Start: Give a one-minute orientation and show physical components. Offer printed large-type rules and a QR code for audio rules.
Teach: Use a “teach-by-play” method — play a quick mock turn then pause for questions. Keep language concrete and avoid jargon.
Wrap: Offer a one-page takeaway sheet with buying options, accessory bundles, and a staff contact for follow-up purchases or pre-orders.

"Sanibel was designed with my dad in mind" — Elizabeth Hargrave (paraphrased). This is the kind of intent retailers can amplify.

Hardware & accessories buying guide for accessibility-first stores

Stock items that help customers play comfortably and help staff demonstrate inclusively. Think of these as small capital investments that raise conversion rates and reduce returns.

Essential fixtures and tools

Adjustable demo tables (height range and edge accessibility).
Comfort chairs with and without armrests; a few with solid backs for stability.
Point-of-sale magnifiers — inexpensive LED magnifiers for rulebooks and small tokens.
Audio rule players or QR-to-audio stations for customers who prefer listening.
Display trays and tactile sample boards showing texture, weight, and size of components.
Low-glare LED lighting to improve contrast without adding noise or heat.
Noise-cancelling headsets for sensitivity-friendly sessions and livestream audience control.

Accessory SKUs to upsell (curation tips)

Large-print rulebooks and high-contrast insert sheets — available as official or third-party print-ups.
Replacement tactile tokens and heavier meeples for easier grasping (sell sample packs).
Non-slip mats and component trays for steady play.
Quiet sand timers, soft click coins, and low-decibel dice alternatives (dice towers with ramps reduce toss noise).
Custom foam inserts for easy component organization and one-handed access.
Warranty and repair kits — advertise your store as the place to fix or upgrade older boxes and repair & retrofit services.

How to price and bundle

Price accessories transparently: list MSRP and bundle price. Offer three bundle tiers:

Starter: Large-print rules + magnifier.
Comfort: Starter + non-slip mat + tactile token pack.
Event Host: Comfort + adjustable table time slot + audio-rule player rental.

Training staff: empathy, demonstration, and sales scripts

Train staff in short modules (15–30 minutes) that include role-play and accessibility checklists.

Module 1 – Accessibility fundamentals: Why it matters; common barriers (vision, fine motor, sensory); how to ask respectful questions.
Module 2 – Demo technique: Teach-by-play script, use of props, handling trade-offs (fast vs. thorough demos).
Module 3 – Upsell politely: Present accessory bundles as “ways to make the game feel like new” rather than hard sells.

Measuring success and proving ROI

Track these KPIs to show the value of accessibility-focused merchandising and demos:

Conversion rate from demo table to sale (compare accessible setup vs standard setup).
Accessory attach rate per sale (percentage of games sold with at least one accessory).
Event attendance and repeat attendance for sensory-friendly and age-forward sessions.
Customer satisfaction and return rate for games sold with accessibility metadata.

Collect qualitative data via short post-purchase surveys asking whether the product met physical and cognitive expectations. Use that feedback to update shelf tags and event descriptions.

Future trends (late 2025–2028): invest now to lead

Looking ahead from 2026, a few developments will make accessibility-first stores stand out:

Standardized accessibility metadata — industry groups and publishers are moving toward consistent tags for component sizes, color contrast, and motor demands. Retailers who adopt these early will have better AI-driven recommendations; consider edge and PWA tactics such as edge-powered PWAs for resilient product pages.
Hybrid demo tech — low-latency cameras that focus on hands+components, real-time captioning, and multi-angle streams increase reach. Stores that rent or buy simple rigs (on-device capture and transport kits) convert more online viewers into local buyers.
Repair & retrofit services — as collectors age, demand for refurbishing components and creating accessibility mods will grow. Offering this positions your store as a trusted community hub.
Sustainability and social responsibility — reusable demo kits, eco-friendly inserts, and partnerships with local accessibility nonprofits become loyalty builders.

Practical takeaways — quick checklist you can implement this week

Create 3 accessibility tags and apply them to 10 best-selling boxes: Large print, Tactile components, Quiet play.
Set up one demo table with a magnifier, audio QR code, and a “5-minute teach” placard.
Bundle one accessory pack with a currently stocked game and advertise it at checkout.
Run a sensory-friendly morning next month and accept RSVPs for specific needs.
Train staff with one 20-minute role-play focused on inclusive demoing.

Case study snapshot: From demo to sale

Example: A mid-size hobby shop ran two parallel demo setups for a nature-themed title: one traditional, one accessibility-optimized (large print, tactile sample tray, adjustable table). The accessibility station saw 40% higher conversion, a 25% higher attach rate for accessory packs, and stronger repeat attendance for themed events. Those are the kinds of outcomes you can expect when you align merchandising with inclusive design intent.

Final thoughts: Selling inclusivity is good business and good community building

Elizabeth Hargrave’s Sanibel is a timely reminder that thoughtful design attracts a broader audience. Retailers who turn that design intent into clear metadata, demo-ready fixtures, trained staff, and the right hardware & accessories will not only sell more copies—they’ll build loyalty and become local hubs for inclusive play.

Call to action

Ready to make your store welcome to more players? Start with one small change: tag three accessibility attributes on your top 10 titles and set up an accessible demo table this week. If you want a ready-made starter kit — merchandising cards, demo placards, and an accessory bundle list tailored to Sanibel and Wingspan-style games — request our free retail starter pack and schedule a 15-minute consult with our curation team.

the game

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.

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