Dobble Debate : A game promoting discussion of difference and disabilities (v.1.1 - March 2023)

Abstract

Dobble Debate facilitates creative and respectful discussions about disability. This serious game is designed to help learners consider their own perspectives on disability. We have developed the game in HTML5, CSS and Javascript—classic Web technologies widely used in accessible design—to ensure immediate and ongoing ease of use and availability. This digital version of Dobble Debate was conceived, co-designed and co-created in partnership with a variety of disabled community members. Committed to changing conversations around what it means to live with disabilities, our many workshop participants experience everything from deafness and blindness, to learning disabilities and mental health issues; some experience multiple concurrent challenges and so offered especially nuanced perspectives.

Dobble Debate’s accessible and community co-created game offers expanded gameplay options available to educators and learners across geographies, time zones and teaching contexts. It is designed to give educators, gamers and learners new perceptions around how they interact with the world—and how their family, friends, communities, peers and colleagues do. Dobble Debate has two forks. The Pre-Baked Games are examples of ways to use the provided assets to catalyze discussion, such as THE READY-TO-GO GAME, our pilot game. It features debate, competition and audience participation. Other pre-baked options were co-developed in workshops and include assets like THE NARRATIVE GAME, THE COOPERATIVE GAME, THE ERASING LABELS GAME and THE INTERSECTIONAL GAME.

The Bake-Your-Own option provides a guide and assets can help you create your own unique games. Use our card decks (Ability, Situations, Spark and Dobbles and our new avatars (designed as sensations everyone can experience, like sunlight) to create the version of the game that reflects your own understanding of disability. The BYO guide includes questions to help direct gameplay, define goals, and make play respectful and productive.