Making RPG Podcasts Accessible by Fay Onyx

1. Making RPG Podcasts Accessibleby Fay Onyx Workshop notes and resources: http://writingalchemy.net/ resources/rpg-podcasts/

2. Workshop Notes and Resources • Resource document with links and more detail • PowerPoint slides in multiple formats • This PowerPoint is an accessibility tool to help people follow along • http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/ http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

3. Workshop Format • Information dense • Breaking things up • Animal photos • Three short discussions http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

4. Who Is Fay Onyx? • Writer, artist, podcaster, game designer, and disability consultant • Queer, disabled, neurodiverse, and genderqueer • Ze/Hir pronouns http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

5. My Projects • Writing Alchemy Podcast • A fairy tale series that combines humor and magic with serious topics • A tabletop role-playing series about the adventures of disabled and mentally divergent heroes • Magic Goes Awry • A tabletop role-playing game focused around the core principle of accessibility • A high fantasy system that is light on rules and heavy on magical mayhem http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

6. What About You? • How many people here are part of a podcast? • How many of you play role-playing games? • How many are part of a role-playing game podcast? http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

7. http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

8. Accessibility • Creating an environment where people with disabilities can fully participate • Removing barriers to participation • Being welcoming and respectful • Changes that increase accessibility have many benefits for everyone http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

9. Ableism • Discrimination against people with disabilities • Like other forms of oppression, ableism is deeply embedded in modern society • Many people are unaware of ableism, but awareness is growing http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

10. Ableism and Language • A lot of everyday language perpetuates the idea that people with disabilities are lesser • Not everyone is bothered by ableist language, but many are • Change is an ongoing process • People with certain disabilities will have a harder time changing language http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

11. Ableist Language • Words for disabilities that are frequently used for negative things • Lame • Insane, mad, crazy • Dumb • Idiot, stupid, moron • Many people don’t realize that doing this is derogatory • It implies that disabled people are bad or lesser • Possible replacements • Frustrating • Silly, ridiculous • Nonsense, illogical • Wild, extreme http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

12. http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

13. Experiences of Disability • Limitation: Some people experience their disabilities as limitations • I experience my chronic back condition as a limitation • Neutral difference: Others experience their disabilities as neutral traits • I experience my divergent mind in this way • In both cases, people will experience barriers created by society • Physical barriers like wheelchair inaccessible buildings • Social barriers like stigma and stereotypes • Each person is different • Spectrum http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

14. Disability as Limitation and/or Difference • It is important to make room for both ends of this spectrum • Not doing so invalidates people’s experiences, which can be harmful and upsetting • This is where a lot of game mechanics run into problems • Don’t generalize personal experiences of disability • Make it clear when something is the experience of a specific person or character http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

15. More Experiences of Disability • Visible disabilities • Invisible disabilities • Limited energy/resources • Flare-ups http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

16. Terminology • Neurodivergent: Having a mind which differs significantly from what society considers normal. This word is a value neutral term that is replacing the term “mental illness.” • Neurodiversity: The diversity of human minds. This word was created to refer to the mental diversity of a group, but some people use it as an identity. • I will be using both nerodivergent and mental illness in this workshop. • A way to include people with different experiences. • Neurotypical: Having a mind which society considers normal. http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

17. http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

18. Reflection • We are going to pair up and do a short discussion • It is okay to adjust this to meet your needs • Three person group • Reflect by yourself • If anyone has access needs, I can help http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

19. Reflection Question • When is a time you encountered a barrier that prevented you from enjoying a podcast, TV show, movie, or other media? • 5 minute conversation http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

20. http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

21. Podcast Accessibility • Transcripts • Accessible audio • Content warnings • Accessible websites http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

22. Transcripts • Important for deaf and hard of hearing folks, people with audio processing issues, and people for whom English is a second language • Require time and/or money • “The Podcaster’s Guide to Transcribing Audio” by Join the Party Podcast • Transcription options • Transcript format suggestions • YouTube’s automatic caption service is a free resource • Transcript editor that pauses audio when typing http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

23. Accessible Audio • Making sure all people have a similar loudness • Limiting the dynamic range • Producing audio as mono • Keeping any sound effects or music that overlap with talking quieter during overlap • Ensuring that filters and effects don’t make it hard to understand what is being said • Ghosts http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

24. Content Warnings • Purpose is to warn audience members about types content in a podcast episode that they may find harmful or disturbing • Builds trust with audience • Empowers people to make effective choices about when and how they expose themselves to intense content http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

25. Website Accessibility • Can get very technical • Use headers to separate different sections of the website • Describe images in alt text • Mobile friendly • There are plugins for wordpress http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

26. http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

27. Participants with Disabilities • Scheduling • The recording environment • Game accessibility • Story content http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

28. Scheduling • Preferred communication methods • Reminders • Time of day • Session length (2 hours) • Breaks • Cancellations http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

29. Recording In-Person • Transportation • Wheelchair accessibility • Supportive seating • Microphones that move with people • Temperature control • Scent free • Calm environments • Behavior adjustments, like as avoiding cross-talk http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

30. Recording Online • Making use of an already accessible environment (their home) • How easy is it to use? • Video and other visual aids • Access to equipment • Specific equipment needs • Slow computers • Background noises http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

31. http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

32. Game Accessibility • Game system complexity • Rules-light games • Spell cards • Summary sheets • Rule books • Find out what format is best for them • Character sheets • Online character sheets • Braille character sheets http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

33. More Game Accessibility • Dice • Online dice rollers • Large number and Braille dice • Tracking numbers that change • Online notes • Physical tokens • Maps and props • Theater of the mind • Tactile maps • Online maps http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

34. Story Content • Setting initial expectations and boundaries • Lines and Veils • The Same Page Tool • Safety tools for use during game play • X-card • Script Change • Cut and Break • Techniques for helping people follow the plot • Notes • Recaps • Check-ins http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

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36. Reflection Question • What is one concrete thing that you can do to improve the accessibility of a podcast or role-playing game that you are part of (or are connected to)? • 5 minute conversation http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

37. http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

38. Challenges with Game Systems • Insanity mechanics • Mechanics that Force Disability on Characters • Treating Disability as a Limitation • Mechanics that Erase Disability • Absence of Options • Ableist Monsters http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

39. Insanity Mechanics • The concept of insanity is connected to a violent and dehumanizing history • Stereotype of being dangerous, out of control, and disconnected from reality • Outdated and inaccurate • Insanity mechanisms • Cosmic horror • A way for story events to affect characters • Alternatives • Changing language • Stress and fear mechanics • Erosion of core beliefs http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

40. Mechanics that Force Disability on Characters • It takes work to portray any marginalized character respectfully • Preparation is needed • Not everyone is up for this • Encourages people to play stereotypes • Alternatives • Conditions like jumpy, shaken, fatigued, angry, and sad • Alter the character’s core beliefs or motivations http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

41. Treating Disability as a Limitation • Often involve derogatory language • Disability as a character flaw • Don’t make room for people who experience their disabilities as neutral traits • Mechanics are often inaccurate • Treat disability the same as temporary conditions able-bodied characters experience • Reinforce stereotypes • Symptoms and experiences vary from person to person • Overly limiting • Most tabletop role-playing games are about empowerment • Disabled characters get left behind http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

42. Alternatives • Case-by-case • Not one-size-fits-all • Disabled experience is diverse • Role-play the disability without mechanics • Custom make mechanics based on the specifics of the character • Mechanics made by people with disabilities • "D&D Disability Mechanics" created by sleepyspoonie http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

43. http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

44. Mechanics that Erase Disability • Magical cures or perfect adaptive technology • Not always bad, but the experiences of disabled people aren't being represented • Use on temporary conditions • Alternative is to show limitations and trade-offs • The magic/tech isn’t perfect • Does it have side effects, hidden costs, require maintenance, or need to be charged? • Make it clear what that magic/tech can and can’t do http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

45. Absence of Options • Mechanics tied to particular abilities • Magic that requires line of sight or vocalizations • Lack of setting appropriate adaptive equipment • Sometimes people say it isn’t realistic for disabled characters to do certain things or be in certain settings • People with disabilities deserve to be represented • More important than realism • The solution is to custom make options http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

46. Ableist Monsters • Traits associated with specific disabilities are regularly used for monstrous and evil creatures • Reinforces negative ideas about disability • Cause harassment of people with those traits • Watch out for • Cataracts or white eyes • Hunchbacks and other atypical body shapes • Joints that bend in unusual ways • Limbs with non-normative shapes • Labored breathing • Sores, warts, and blemishes • Replace ableist traits with other traits http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

47. http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

48. Disabled Player Characters • Know when characters have disabilities • Albinism and cataracts • Difficulty with speech • Greater difficulty with cognitive and intellectual tasks • It is also important to be aware of what things aren't disabilities • Extreme beliefs, erratic behavior, violence, ignorance, and bigotry aren't mental illnesses http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

49. Research • Personal experience • Big difference between non-disabled experiences and disabled experiences • It is important to learn about lived experiences of disability • Where to find personal experiences? • YouTube • List of podcasts in "The Digital Crip Wave: Podcasts by Disabled People," by Erin Hawley http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/

50. Game Job Descriptions • Problem: Disabled characters being left behind • Game Job Description: A brief description of the activities the player characters will need to be able to do in order to fully participate in the game • Action game: move quickly, fight, and overcome physical obstacles • High school drama: Attend high school and interact with other characters • Disabled characters need accommodations and assertive devices that will allow them to fulfill the game job description http://writingalchemy.net/resources/rpg-podcasts/