Gaining Advantage

Accessible D&D Isn’t Charity—It’s Better Design | Gaining Advantage 43

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Dale discusses what could be the most radical shift in TTRPG accessibility yet. We’re not just talking about a new ruleset. We’re talking about reclaiming the tabletop for everyone.

Free5e isn’t another clone. It’s a community-led, open-source, fully accessible reimagining of 5e designed for affordability, inclusivity, and actual usability. Dale explains how it stays SRD-compliant while offering more than just “good enough.”

 You’ll hear about:

  • Accessible formats: Digital braille, high-contrast PDFs, large print, audio, and more
  • Affordability: Free digital books, print-at-cost, and Kickstarter-exclusive deeper discounts
  • Disability representation: Three modular systems for including disabled characters on your terms
  • Flexible design: Inclusive mechanics without creating power imbalances
  • Creative Commons licensing: Remix, translate, and adapt—without the legal minefield
    • Open the Gates Gaming

    Dale talks to Chris Campbell-Bohen and Elizabeth McClain from Open the Gates Gaming, two academics who are using their expertise and lived experiences to reshape how we play and how we design for neurodivergence, disability, and cultural diversity.

    • How Open the Gates Gaming's cognitive access tools—like simplified character sheets, modular ability/spell cards, decision guides, and explainer videos—are changing the onboarding experience
  • Why cultural representation and narrative inclusion are as vital as mechanics
  • The Access Forward Gaming Lounge at PAX East: an experiment in radical accessibility, cross-disability solidarity, and real-time adaptation
  • The dangers of defaulting to Eurocentric fantasy tropes and how to tell new stories
  • How accessibility is not just a checkbox—it’s a design philosophy

    • Whether you're a game designer, a DM, or a player who just wants more people to feel safe at your table, this episode is essential listening.

    Show Outline

    00:00:00 What if D&D Could Be for Everyone?

    00:01:25 Introducing Free5e: Free, Open, Accessible

    00:12:38 Meet the Game-Changers Behind Inclusive TTRPGs

    00:15:01 How Open the Gates Gaming is Redefining Play

    00:22:26 Fixing Accessibility: Why "Everyone's Welcome" Isn't Enough

    00:30:05 TTRPGs as Empowerment: Finding Belonging at the Table

    00:43:00 Designing for Flexibility Without Losing the Magic

    01:03:00 The Hard Truth About Inclusive Game Design

    01:09:30 When Players Break the Script—and Why It Matters

    01:16:30 How You Can Start Making Your Table More Accessible

    01:20:00 Is Accessibility Ruining Games? (Spoiler: No)

    01:24:00 Upcoming Projects That Could Change Gaming Forever

    01:25:15 Patreon Spotlight: Shape the Future of TTRPGs

    Links & Resources:
    • Free5e Kickstarter (live until end of April): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/wyrmworkspublishing/free5e-a-free-open-source-dungeons-and-dragons-alternative?ref=6orsnt 
  • Open the Gates Gaming: https://www.openthegatesgaming.org/
  • Access Forward Gaming Lounge at PAX East https://east.paxsite.com/en-us/features/pax-together.html
  • Virginia Tech Disability Community Technology Center: https://discoteccenter.org/
  • Dots RPG: https://dotsrpg.org 
  • Wyrmworks Publishing Patreon: https://patreon.com/WyrmworksPublishing 

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    Gaining AdvantageBy Wyrmworks Publishing