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Join the most popular, interactive storytelling game.
You’re wandering through the forest, listening to the rhythmic crunch of dried leaves under your feet with every step. Suddenly, as you take another step forward, you hear a “clonk”. Curious to find out what you’ve stepped on, you bend down and notice a glimmering chest covered lightly in leaves and soil.
Just as you’re about to open the chest and peer inside, the “beep” of the end of a Zoom call snaps you back into reality. You remember, you’re sitting in your living room. It’s a Wednesday night and even though you’ve travelled through a 15-metre tall, dense pine tree forest, explored a cave and as the sun was starting to set, came across a shining light coming from a mysterious chest, you get up off the couch and get ready for bed.
Now, I know you’re thinking one of two things. One, whoever’s writing this must be mad. Or, two, how can I traverse through magical forests and explore caves from the comfort of my couch? Let me introduce you to the crazy world of Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) through the perspectives of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT Client and self-proclaimed D&D fanatic, Cathryn and Client Connections Specialist and Dungeon Master (DM), Brendan.
The pair have been playing D&D together for almost a year and a half with two other group members. They’ve not only galivanted around fantasy realms, but have learned new real-world skills, grown more confident and developed new friendships.
When Cathryn was first introduced to the game by her friend three years ago, she “fell in love with it from day one.” Similarly, Brendan started playing online in 2020 during lockdown and has transitioned into an imaginative storyteller. “Brendan’s ability to paint pictures with words is wonderful. For me, a big window opens up in my mind and I can see what he’s narrating. I just get absorbed instantly and it’s like a movie is playing out around me,” says Cathryn.
That’s the best part about D&D; your imagination takes you through the entire game. With so many types of visual media and entertainment available like board games, movies, TV shows and videogames, it can be challenging for a person with low vision or blindness to become fully immersed in the story. D&D is completely auditory and doesn’t cost anything to play either!
Cathryn and Brendan use free, accessible dice rolling apps to make their moves and Cathryn even tracks health points by writing Braille with LEGO pieces.
When you’re playing D&D, it feels like you can be whoever you want to be. As Cathryn started playing, she noticed one of the shyer group members becoming more confident when they played their character. Cathryn even overcame her social anxiety to the point where she didn’t feel it anymore when she took the opportunity to run a series of games as the DM.
If you want to transform into one of your favourite fictional characters, become a completely new one, or just have a laugh, make new friends and try something different, D&D is the perfect activity to do just that. With no age barrier, no cost, no equipment needed, and the number one rule being to have fun, Client Connections Specialist Brendan hosts trial sessions where you can slowly dip your toes into the babbling brook and get used to the game. Who knows, you may encounter a siren or a giant octopus down there and you’ll just have to come back next week to discover what kind of treasure they’re hiding.
For more information and to register your interest for the next “Come and see D&D” session, reach out to the Connections Services team at connections@guidedogs.com.au and Brendan will answer your questions.
