D&D 5E D&D Inclusivity for People with Disabilities

[Umbran]

If you build the campaign to accommodate the character in the chair that's one thing, but if it disrupts the campaign for the sake of a single player the dungeon master may have to draw the line.

People with disabilities are usually quite aware that they need to plan ahead - they need to do that every day for everything else, and should not be springing this on you last-minute. You generally won't need to be suddenly confronted with a player that doesn't fit your module when you sit down at the table.

"...for the sake of a single player...."

"Jim wants to play a scholarly wizard, so I'm gonna need to make sure there are spellbooks and interesting things to be solved with magic..."

"Sally want to play an aggressive barbarian, so I have to expect them to threaten a lot of enemies, and get bored with talky scenes..."

"Joe... you're just a single player. I can't make allowances for you."

This is kind of the story of their lives. All the time.

 

[Imaculata]

I think people should not think of a character with a disability as the weakest link of the party. All characters have strengths and weaknesses. Big weaknesses make for interesting roleplaying.

 

[Seramus]

I'm all for inclusiveness but it is all to easy to go from inclusive to inconsiderate if you don't understand the perspective of the person being portrayed.

It is easy to portray a disability in an inconsiderate way, but if done decently then it becomes a great source of empathy. I've seen people portray blind and paraplegics well, and one actual blind player kept cracking up when the other person's blind character struggled in ways that were familiar.

Another time a player portrayed a black woman because the DM was a black woman, and they agreed to make it as 'realistic' as possible. They both approached it in a mature fashion, and much was learned.

 

[Oofta]

It is easy to portray a disability in an inconsiderate way, but if done decently then it becomes a great source of empathy. I've seen people portray blind and paraplegics well, and one actual blind player kept cracking up when the other person's blind character struggled in ways that were familiar.

Another time a player portrayed a black woman because the DM was a black woman, and they agreed to make it as 'realistic' as possible. They both approached it in a mature fashion, and much was learned.

I agree 100%. Same way that when I DM I try to represent all walks of life ... I'm just a little cautious because honestly I really don't know what it's like. Pretty much everybody playing what would be an olympic-level athlete is just making it up as they go. But when playing a type of person that faces daily challenges? I think that's a bit different is all.

I remember playing with a guy in LFR who was straight who played a gay individual. His representation was okay most of the time but there were times when it was borderline insulting. It was in no way intentional, but that doesn't mean it wasn't problematic.

 

[ccs]

Where magic is real, why are there disabilities at all? Ultimately it's a question of representation rather than setting logic.

Because whatever magic solves your disability isn't readily available? Because there is no magic to solve it? Or there is, but solving it wouldn't make any sense?
For ex; in our PF game I'm playing 2 characters, both with fairly large physical handicaps/limitations.

The 1st one, Jack, lost his left arm to a near TPK in about the third week of play. It was bit off at the shoulder. Jack doesn't yet have the funds for the magic to fix this. Even if he did have the $? He's living in a tiny island colony at least 3 weeks of sailing time one direction out in the middle of the ocean. Odds are that he'd have to travel back to the mainland for this, where he'd run the very real risk of being arrested (he's a wanted criminal). So for now? He's doing his best with only one arm.
Maybe someday this'll get fixed.

The 2nd character? She has a very real physical limitation most of you wouldn't spend a moment even considering.
She's a Halfling. She's short.
ATM, as she's an actual kid, she's only about 2ft,5inches tall. But even when fully grown? She'll still only be about 3ft tall....
Outside of the Shire, you don't think being 3' tall poses some severe limitations?
Is there magic to "solve" this? Yes.... But if you grow your 1/2ling to human size, what's the point of playing a 1/2ling to begin with? Is there magic to make life easier at times - Mage Hand etc? Yes. Provided you're playing the right class & pick those spells.

 

[MGibster]

On Daredevil, I did have a friend play as a blind martial artist once in our Deadlands Reloaded game that never got off the ground after the first session because it was the first concept that came to his mind. He took the Blind Fighting edge to try to offset the Blind hindrance since the mechanics expressly supported it. No harm was intended, but I don't think either of us would do the same thing over again if given the opportunity due to the potential for insensitivity.

I would have absolutely no problem with a player bringing a blind warrior to the table in a game like D&D or Deadlands. The blind warrior is a regular trope with characters like Ichi from Zatoichi, Whills from Rogue One, and Master Po from Kung-Fu just to name a few.

 

[Helldritch]

My wife suffers from muscular dystrophia syndrome (Steiner type). When she plays D&D it is not to play someone like her. Believe me on that. She is not at the wheel chair point, but she is getting close. We have bought walking aids for her and I also bought a wheel chair for the day... you get the picture.

Playing a disabled person must be done with a lot of respect and care. Going the super hero way is not the way to go. And with regeneration spells and all the possible healing... is it really a thing?

Edit: It is distrophia and not dysrophia...

 

[MGibster]

Where magic is real, why are there disabilities at all? Ultimately it's a question of representation rather than setting logic. I personally don't actually feel the need to be "represented", i'd rather just play as a normal person. But some people do, and that's cool too. What i find offensive is fake representation.

It depends on the setting. Even in a D&D campaign, not everyone can afford such magics even assuming it's available to them.

 

[Helldritch]

It depends on the setting. Even in a D&D campaign, not everyone can afford such magics even assuming it's available to them.

The average person will not be able to afford such things. But our heroes? The nobles and the rich? Certainly.

 

[Wishbone]

I would have absolutely no problem with a player bringing a blind warrior to the table in a game like D&D or Deadlands. The blind warrior is a regular trope with characters like Ichi from Zatoichi, Whills from Rogue One, and Master Po from Kung-Fu just to name a few.

Yup, I remember that was the exact sort of concept he was drawing on when he made the character within 5 minutes of opening the books. I'm not totally sure how many of those characters across pop culture are celebrated by people who are blind, are vision impaired, or have low vision so my friends and I probably should have talked it over a little more than we did back then to find that out before deciding to dive into the fun to make sure we were all on the same page. Live and learn.