UESL Foundation — CSP Capstone Project
How our team built an AI chatbot, accessible game engine, and social platform to extend UESL's mission for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across San Diego.
CSP Capstone Project
UESL Foundation Platform
Sathwik Kintada · Rudra B Joshi · Darshan
A working prototype built for UESL Foundation — a nonprofit supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through esports and STEM. The platform consists of three live components: an AI chatbot, an accessible game engine, and a social hub, all backed by a shared user management system.
View Live Platform ↗
Current vs. Proposed
Current State
- Static website — no interactive features for participants
- Program inquiries require phone or email; 24–72 hr response gap
- No online games — participation locked to physical arenas
- Community dissolves between sessions with no persistent space
Consequence
UESL's reach is capped by venue capacity. Spanish-speaking families cannot navigate programs without staff support. Participants disengage between seasons with no digital touchpoint.
Our Platform
- AI chatbot answers program questions instantly, 24/7, in English and Spanish
- Game engine with 8 IDD-specific accessibility modes — playable from any device
- Social platform keeping participants connected and competing year-round
- Real-time multiplayer and leaderboards for inclusive online competition
Outcome
UESL's reach is no longer limited by venue or staff. Families self-serve in their language. Participants stay engaged 365 days a year through gameplay and community.
Extended Information ▼
Current Site
- No chatbot — users must call or email staff
- 24–72 hour response gap for basic questions
- No support outside business hours
- English-only communication channels
- High drop-off for families unfamiliar with the org
Our Platform
- Powered by Groq (LLaMA 3.3-70b), pre-loaded with full UESL context
- Instant answers to program, eligibility, location, and scheduling questions
- Available 24/7 — no staff required for common inquiries
- Bilingual support in English and Spanish
- Conversational tone designed for IDD participants and their families
Why it matters:
For families navigating IDD services, a 48-hour wait for a basic answer is a barrier that ends participation before it begins. The chatbot removes that barrier entirely.
Current Site
- No playable games of any kind online
- Esports participation requires physical attendance at an arena
- No accessibility accommodations for online play
- Participants cannot create or share their own games
Our Platform
- Fully playable game engine accessible from any browser
- Drag-and-drop Game Maker — participants build their own levels
- 8 IDD-specific accessibility modes built into the engine
- Designed from the ground up for neurodiverse players — not adapted after the fact
8 Accessibility Modes — Built In
Slow Mode
Reduces game speed for motor processing differences
Single-Button Control
Full gameplay with one input for limited mobility
High Contrast
Enhanced visual clarity for low vision players
Large Sprites
Scaled-up game elements for visibility
Guided Mode
On-screen prompts and hints during gameplay
Reduced Motion
Limits animations for sensory sensitivities
Face Tracking
Camera-based input as an alternative controller
Audio Toggles
Independent SFX and music controls
Why it matters:
No mainstream game engine ships with IDD-specific modes. Ours was designed with those needs as the baseline — not bolted on. That distinction determines whether a participant can play at all.
Current Site
- No online community space of any kind
- Participant relationships exist only during in-person sessions
- No leaderboards, scores, or competitive tracking online
- No multiplayer — competition requires physical co-location
- Community engagement drops to zero between events
Our Platform
- Microblog feed — participants post, reply, and react
- Per-level leaderboards surfaced directly in the social feed
- Real-time co-op multiplayer rooms via WebSocket
- Persistent profiles that track game progress and community activity
- Year-round engagement independent of scheduled sessions
Why it matters:
Social connection is core to UESL's mission — but currently that connection only exists when participants are physically in the same room. The community hub makes it permanent and distance-independent.
Platform Summary
24/7
Program support via chatbot vs. business-hours-only staff
8 modes
IDD-specific accessibility vs. zero accommodations online
365 days
Community engagement vs. in-person sessions only
80%+
Inquiries resolved by chatbot without staff
8
IDD-specific accessibility modes
365
Days of digital community vs. seasonal sessions
Group Chats
Users can socialize through group chats
The three components are one connected system — users onboard through the chatbot, engage through gameplay, and stay through community. Together they remove the ceiling on UESL's impact: no venue limits, no language barriers, no off-season disengagement.