I'm not sure if forwarded messages are allowed on this group but for
those who might be interested this group who put out this blog message
sounds like they're doing some cool things so I thought it would be of
interest to the list.
-------- Forwarded Message --------
Subject: [Tech-VI] From Knights of the Braille: Plans for 2025
Resent-Date: Mon, 23 Dec 2024 09:35:03 -0800
Resent-From: david.goldfi...@outlook.com
Date: Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:35:00 +0000
From: David Goldfield via groups.io
<david.goldfield=outlook....@groups.io>
Reply-To: tech...@groups.io
To: Tech-VI Announcement List <tech...@groups.io>
Original Source
<https://knightsofthebraille.com/2024/12/23/knights-of-the-braille-2025/>
Knights of the Braille 2025
23rd Dec 2024
<https://knightsofthebraille.com/2024/12/23/knights-of-the-braille-2025/> /
knightsofthebraille
<https://knightsofthebraille.com/author/knightsofthebraille/>
In 2024 we achieved what we committed to: Releasing a blog series on
advice for preparing to run a game as a blind or visually impaired game
master, and creating a brand new game. In this blog we would like to
share our plans for 2025!
Thank You
First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone in
the community. Running Knights of the Braille for several years has been
an incredible journey and watching it grow into such a supportive and
positive space has been truly rewarding. I can honestly say that our
Discord server has rarely needed moderation, which speaks volumes about
how cool, kind and chill you all are. Thank you for being such an
amazing group. It’s a true testament to the blind community and,
specifically, to us blind nerds.
Accessibility Resources
This year, we’re excited to work on a comprehensive guide dedicated to
tools, resources and advice for making tabletop roleplaying game groups
accessible to blind and visually impaired players and game masters. We
frequently receive questions on how to make a group open and accessible
to people in our community. It only makes sense that we should provide
an extensive guide on what steps you can take and which resources are
available.
The guide will cover a wide range of topics, including different types
of dice, accessible terrain, virtual play options and much more. Since
players engage with TTRPG’s in diverse ways, our goal is to create
something that offers options for everyone. Importantly, this guide will
be frequently updated, as new tools and options become available. This
guide will be hosted on our website’s “Accessible Resources” page. We
also have a separate page for “Accessible Games” which we continue to
update (links to both at the end of this post).
In addition, we will be posting a blog to explain how to approach
including a blind or visually impaired player or game master at your
table. This will be an important guide to accompany the accessible
resources featured on our website. Once complete, the blog will be
linked on the “Accessible Resources” page for easy reference.
The content we are producing on accessible resources will not include
advice on designing tabletop roleplaying games or creating accessible
game documents, these areas are on our radar for a future project in
2026. We’re taking a year to observe how advancements in artificial
intelligence impact accessibility within the tabletop roleplaying game
space before tackling those complex topics.
Open Game Licenses
Many tabletop roleplaying games are not easily accessible for people who
are blind or visually impaired. However, an often-overlooked solution
lies in the use of system reference documents released under open game
licenses. These documents essentially grant permission to creators to
build on existing game systems, saying, “Here are the tools, go create
your own game.” So, why not embrace that opportunity and make accessible
games?
We are excited to announce that we will be releasing our first game
under an open game license, utilizing its system reference document as
the foundation. This project will allow members of the blind and
visually impaired community to access systems that might otherwise be
unavailable. By leveraging these open game licenses, we can create free
and accessible games, while crafting unique experiences that do not
infringe on the original licensed products.
A recurring piece of feedback we have received from the community is the
desire for simpler systems, games that do not require constant reference
to complex rules. By using open game licenses, we can streamline
mechanics, cutting away unnecessary complications to create systems that
are intuitive and easy to run. Players and game masters alike can enjoy
the experience without having to memorize extensive rules or tab through
endless documents.
Every game we produce will always include a fully accessible version,
available for free on our website. For those who prefer enhanced visual
designs, we will also release a paid digital version available through
online stores. The paid version will feature polished aesthetics for
sighted players and help us offset production costs. At present, we
cover the small costs incurred by Knights of the Braille ourselves.
Generating modest revenue would not only alleviate this burden but also
allow us to enhance future projects and, someday, compensate
contributors. While that goal feels far off, it remains an aspiration.
Our first game produced under an open game license is set for release by
the end of 2025. Please find a link at the end of this blog, which will
take you to our first post about this new game!
What Would You Like?
We are always excited to hear what folks in the community want from
Knights of the Braille? While we have limited budget (which is to say,
“none”) and limited manpower (which is to say, “one”)…we are always
looking for ideas or help to improve what the community has access to.
If you have suggestions for a project, don’t hesitate to contact us!
Message us on Discord, email us (link below) or follow us on social
media (links below), we’d love to hear from you.
Patreon
We rarely promote our Patreon, but if you’re excited about our plans to
start creating original content, we’d be grateful for your support. That
said, there’s absolutely no pressure. We understand that times are
tough—the world is getting expensive. Your presence in our community and
your use of our resources mean the world to us, and we want to emphasize
that these resources are meant to be freely available to everyone.
Supporting us financially is entirely optional, but deeply appreciated.
Please find a link to our Patreon at the end of this post.
Links
Visit Knights of the Braille’s Accessible Games Page
<https://knightsofthebraille.com/accessibility/>
Visit Knights of the Braille’s Accessible Resources Page
<https://knightsofthebraille.com/accessible-resources/>
Read About Our Upcoming Game: Into The Grim
<https://knightsofthebraille.com/2024/12/19/blackhood-executioner/>
Support Us On Patreon <https://www.patreon.com/c/knightsofthebraille>
Uncategorized <https://knightsofthebraille.com/category/uncategorised/>
*accessibility* <https://knightsofthebraille.com/tag/accessibility/>,
*games* <https://knightsofthebraille.com/tag/games/>, *gaming*
<https://knightsofthebraille.com/tag/gaming/>, *rpg*
<https://knightsofthebraille.com/tag/rpg/>, *TTRPG*
<https://knightsofthebraille.com/tag/ttrpg/>
David Goldfield,
Blindness Assistive Technology Specialist
www.DavidGoldfield.com <http://www.davidgoldfield.com/>
Director of Marketing,
Blazie Technologies
www.BlazieTech.com <http://www.blazietech.com/>
Am Yisrael Chai
The Nation of Israel Lives!
JAWS Certified, 2022
<https://www.freedomscientific.com/Training/Certification>
NVDA Certified Expert <https://certification.nvaccess.org/>
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