NTRPG Con is such a relaxed atmosphere that discussions often turn to handshakes and deals and contracts. For Patrick Pilgrim, my wife Rach and myself it turned into the realization that most RPGs just aren't user friendly for the vision impaired.
This is an important issue for Rach and I. For those that don't know, Rach is legally blind. Most of the RPG rules I have are simply too small a font for her to read so her RPG knowledge is what she's learned directly from me. When we buy her dice we look for dice that have clear numbering and / or are larger than standard.
This came up in a discussion among the three of us, There was a person with a need - Rach, a person who wrote the rules - myself, and a person who could convert those rules into formats more accessible to those with vision impairment - or no vision at all.
Anyhow, the project has the Frog God green light. Swords & Wizardry Light will be the first project to be converted with Swords & Wizardry Continual Light a possible follow up. PDF and web app are definite goes. I'd like to see a limited print run once all is up and running.
I can't think of another RPG that has gone this route but I am sure they are out there. If you know of any please add a link in the comments below.
As always, thank you for the support.
Well, it was just at NTRPG, but my wife made two maps specifically for Mike Stewart in the Bunnies & Burrows game. He could distinguish each habitat by feel, and could trace his way through the burrow map by touch also. Not practical for general usage, but it does show what can be done for the visually impaired.
ReplyDeleteI saw a picture of said maps - well done!
DeleteThis is excellent, role playing is in the imagination and not just what we can see, that I have not heard much on this in the past almost makes no sense. Not saying that it is not out there, just that it does not have the attention it should.
ReplyDeleteI made a large print version of one of my favorite rules-light games, mostly for my own exercise. The publisher was not interested in the product I had prepared. But it was (excuse me) an eye-opening experience.
ReplyDeleteThis does make me want to consider a new version of EZFudge, though. Hmm.
So seriously, why hasn't this come up before? Great idea!
ReplyDeleteThis is also exciting to me. My wife is a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and knows Braile and everything :) -Can you tell I am a proud husband?
ReplyDeleteIF there is anything we can do to help, let me know.
\/\/olfgang
Print run will be no problem on this idea
ReplyDelete