Toyah Wordsworth, from Doncaster, has created a board game that educates and informs players about the barriers disabled people face. The game ‘Removing Barriers’ covers topics such as accessibility, adaptability and understanding.
Toyah was diagnosed with Friedrich’s ataxia – a neurological disorder which causes problems with balance and muscle weakness – at the age of 13. She had to overcome challenges from a young age including issues with transport, moving around her school, and facing people’s attitudes.
“I remembered from my school years how people’s attitudes could be very isolating, so I decided I wanted to change this by educating people,” says Toyah, who now delivers Disability Equality Training to organisations.
“I felt I needed something unusual and fun when delivering my training to better catch people’s attention,” says Toyah. She hopes the game will prompt people involved in providing public services and facilities to think of ways to remove the barriers that disabled people face.
The game can be played by four to 12 players and two teams play against each other to answer a range of questions and scenarios. There are four decks of cards, which stimulate different types of discussion.
“I feel that my board game has helped me reach more people and changed their perspective,” she says.
She has received a lot of positive feedback about the game. Notably, Andy Hendry, Project Manager at Doncaster Disabled People’s Alliance said: “I found it fun, very informative, thought provoking and an excellent way to generate discussion around the subject of equality for disabled people.”
The game is available to play in the Danum Gallery, Library and Museum, and has been adopted by South Yorkshire disability charity Live Inclusive.
It is also on sale on the Focus Games website.
