In an inspiring move toward inclusive education, Jadavpur University has created something truly special: a card game that celebrates disabled authors while being fully accessible to players with visual disabilities. The innovative "Crip Lit Cards" represent a joyful step forward in recognizing the rich contributions of disabled writers throughout history.

Designed by the Department of English and funded by the Global Jadavpur University Alumni Foundation in California, this thoughtfully crafted game brings people together through play while expanding our understanding of literary history. Assistant Professor Ishan Chakraborty, who leads the project, has created something that's both educational and genuinely fun.

What makes these cards remarkable is their attention to accessibility. Each card features Braille text, raised portraits of writers, embossed English text, varied textures along the edges, and color contrast—ensuring that players with visual disabilities can fully participate. The game includes roundels to indicate point values and tactile symbols that represent each author, like a melting candle for John Milton, referencing his famous quotes.

The gameplay itself encourages discovery and connection. Players match authors based on time period, disability, gender, sexual orientation, and other factors to score points. Special "power cards" featuring queer and transgender disabled figures add an exciting twist, redistributing turns and points to challenge conventional ideas about achievement and capability.

Beyond the mechanics, the game serves a deeper purpose. Professor Chakraborty, who identifies as a queer person with disabilities, explains that mainstream literary curricula rarely acknowledge disabled authors beyond Milton and Helen Keller. Many celebrated writers, like Krishnadasa Kaviraja, author of the canonical Bengali text Chaitanya Charitamrita, lived with disabilities that influenced their work—yet this aspect of their lives remains largely unrecognized.

The game comes with an informative rulebook containing brief biographies of each featured author, turning every game session into an opportunity for learning. The front of each card displays the author's name, while the back shows their active period, making it easy to explore different eras of literature.

The name "Crip Lit" itself represents a powerful reclamation, transforming a historically derogatory term into a badge of pride and recognition. This choice reflects the game's broader mission: to challenge ableist assumptions in how we teach and think about literature.

"If a literature course without women authors would be critiqued for gender bias, why shouldn't we expect disabled authors in all literature courses?" Professor Chakraborty asks, highlighting an important gap in literary education that his game helps address.

Most beautifully, the game creates a space where people with and without disabilities come together on equal footing. It's not just about accommodation—it's about celebration, collaboration, and discovering the rich tapestry of voices that have shaped our literary heritage.

This initiative shows how creativity and inclusivity can combine to create something that educates while bringing people together. Jadavpur University's Crip Lit Cards aren't just changing how we teach literature—they're opening doors to conversations and connections that enrich everyone involved.