Episode 18 – The Foundations and Ground Rules for Unfamiliar Heroes

Writing Alchemy Episode 18 Summary

In this foundational episode of Unfamiliar Heroes, which I’m calling Episode Zero, I start off with a discussion of disability representation and the reasons why I feel that this project is so needed. Next I go over the ways that participants who live at the intersections of oppression are centered in this project. Finally I discuss the eight game ground rules which are designed to keep games accessible and inclusive.

Unfamiliar Heroes is a podcast series in which three disabled, neurodiverse, and/or chronically ill players and a game master play story-focused tabletop role-playing games where all of the player characters have disabilities, diverse minds, and/or chronic illnesses. In its core values, this project centers the experiences of people living at the intersections of oppression. Unfamiliar Heroes is part of the Writing Alchemy Podcast.

Note: The game ground rules begin at minute 14.

Readings: “We Need More Room for Disability Representation,” “Centering Participants Living at the Intersections of Oppression,” and “Game Ground Rules”

This illustration depicts three characters, each from a different genre of story, and each with a disability. On the left is a black gnome archer riding in a chariot pulled by a large brown dog. The chariot has a chair in it so that they can sit instead of stand. In the middle is a Latina woman manipulating a tech device on her wrist as she begins to go invisible. She is wearing an air filtering mask of the type that people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity sometimes wear. On the right is a white muscular superhero wearing a very gay, blue superhero outfit. He has lightning crackling between his two hands, which are shaped atypically. This beautiful work of art was created the amazing Rose Adare!

Show Notes:

Today’s readings

“We Need More Room for Disability Representation”: http://writingalchemy.net/2017/04/24/we-need-more-room-for-disability-representation/

“Centering Participants Living at the Intersections of Oppression” from the Unfamiliar Heroes Page: <a href="http://writingalchemy.net/podcast-2/unfamiliar-heroes/"