Leisure

Ball by Ball - accessible cricket programme at the MCC

Summary: Background to RNIB's project providing accessible cricket programmes at the MCC.

• Audio description service
• RNIB surveyed facilities
• About the new service
• Fixtures

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Audio description service

A new and unique service is now available to cricket lovers who have a sight problem. Watching and enjoying the action on a cricket pitch is something that most of us take for granted. Fully sighted cricket fans can indulge themselves completely in the game, applauding with fellow supporters, applauding each catch, or clever stroke of the ball. However, for a blind or partially sighted spectator, the story is different. What should be a momentous day out, can often be spoiled because simple facilities for the benefit of those with sight problems are not made available at most grounds.

The ideal solution for blind and partially sighted supporters is the provision of audio-description – a continuous and live commentary of the action, provided by a commentator specifically trained in describing events for those unable to see them clearly. This is transmitted to a headset which can be worn by spectators in any area of the ground.

RNIB surveyed facilities

RNIB has surveyed facilities at all County grounds, and spoken to many blind and partially sighted supporters at these clubs. Provision for spectators usually is limited to a feed from the local radio station, but unfortunately, most stations switch between coverage of the match to go to other programmes or traffic news, and may only cover small sections of a game.

Sadly, many supporters with sight problems currently choose to avoid the problems by simply staying away.

Ball by Ball is the name of the accessible cricket programme at the MCC. Blind and partially sighted spectators at the famous home of cricket, Lord's cricket ground are now able to follow every ball bowled and every boundary scored through the new dedicated commentary service at the ground.

RNIB have trained the stewards and officials on how to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, how to provide accessible information and how to lead and guide a blind or partially sighted person. Trained commentators have been recruited to run a ball by ball commentary service for all games at Lord’s including the recent National Blind cricket final and the Women’s test series against India.

About the new service

Blind spectators are provided with small hand held receivers and headsets which allow them to receive the dedicated commentary throughout the match.

The project is proving a huge success and there has been a very good take up of the headsets for every fixture.

Fixtures

The new 2009 season will see the Ball by Ball season launched with the champions game, the MCC playing league champions Durham CCC, on Thursday 9th April at Lord's.

A full list of fixtures is available from the MCC website.

RNIB are now looking to work with all County clubs and test match grounds to ensure that this service is available to all blind spectators across the Country.

Content author: webeditor@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 18/02/2009 17:57