Special needs

NASPA endeavors to accommodate players with special needs.

Manual Word Judging

Most tournaments use computers for word judging (Software Self Lookup, or SSL). Anyone for whom it is a hardship to get to the SSL computer may request a human word judge to come to their game table.

Players with mobility, vision, or cognitive impairments

In the past, the NSA has provided authorization for approved players to receive an extra 5 minutes playing time or other accommodations when required due to disability. NASPA will honor these accommodations (player must contact the director in advance and be prepared to present a copy of the letter they received from NSA), and will grant accommodations to players who request them, as appropriate.

In the event that a player cannot perform any of the physical actions normally required to play Scrabble without assistance, the player may obtain an accommodation to bring a personal attendant to perform actions required of the player (e.g., drawing tiles, recording score), under the direction of the player.

Players requesting these accommodations should apply to the Tournament Committee, which grants accommodations that must be honored at all NASPA-sanctioned events. Additionally, the player must contact the director in advance of the tournament to inform the director of any special needs or accommodations. Some accommodations can also be granted by tournament directors under Rule III.A.7. on a case-by-case basis.

Directors have access to a list of accommodations granted by the Tournament Committee.

Accommodation for religious reasons

A player who is unable for religious reasons to perform all of the physical functions required in a tournament game of Scrabble (e.g., Orthodox Jews who are unable to operate the clock or write during the sabbath) MUST contact the director of the tournament in advance for approval of an accommodation during the period when such actions are proscribed. These alternate methods may only be used for games during the period of proscription (e.g., the Sabbath), not throughout the entire tournament.

Approved method from NSA:

• Score keeping: player uses two bookmarks in a book and moves them to represent each player’s score.The book used must be approved by the director (e.g., “Dr Spock’s Baby and Child Care” is acceptable, but using OSPD4 or the OWL is not).
• Blank designation: use a separate set of scrabble tiles (clearly different from those used in the game) and present one of those tiles to the opponent as the blank designation.
• Tracking may also be done with this separate set of tiles.

Alternate method:

• Have a designated scorekeeper for the player.
• The scorekeeper’s role is solely to record the scores, record the blank, write out challenge slips, and operate the clock for the player.
• The player requesting this accommodation must provide his/her own scorekeeper and the director must approve the person.

Mechanical Clock accommodation:

• A player who may not use an electronic clock may use a non-electric, analogue clock.
• The player requesting this accommodation must provide his/her own clock and this clock must meet the requirements of Rule III.A.3. (without regard to order of preference).