"Of course, this raises the obvious question:
assuming that all eight players are able to read(*), why
couldn't you just display the questions one word (or a few
words, etc.) at a time and not worry about reading the
text of the tossup?"
Consider an game where
players need to watch red and blue lights and remember
the correct sequence.
One player in this game
is colorblind. To accommodate him, a separate game,
featuring the option of using a set of red and blue lights
or a set of yellow and white lights. People playing
against him have the option of following the red and blue
pattern or the yellow and white pattern. Most watch the
yellow and white pattern since the color distinction is
greater, but some prefer the red and blue and continue to
watch that. This appears legitimate and accomodating -
a compromise for both sides that is
acceptable.
The problem is when you decide to eliminate the red
and blue lights solely because one person is unable
to use them. In that case, it becomes screwing with
the game. It becomes worse when you eliminate them
red and blue lights only in one room - in that case,
you are allowing the one player to compete under
different rules.