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 visually impaired supporters currently choose to avoid the problems by simply staying away.

The ‘Ball by Ball’ project is a new service which has been trialed at Lord’s and the MCC. The scheme will help the club ensure that Lord’s cricket ground is accessible for all supporters.

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.

• The new 2007 season will see the ‘Ball by Ball’ season launched with the champions game with the MCC playing league champions Sussex CCC on Friday 13 April at Lord’s.
• Other highlights of the season are the fixtures against the West Indian touring team at Durham in June and the MCC hosting the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team at Arundel. Other featured games include the national Village Final, the Blind Cricket final and the MCC Women’s team playing China!
• RNIB are now looking to work with all County clubs and test match grounds to ensure that this service is available to all blind spectator’s across the Country.

Fixtures

• Get details of the Ball by Ball fixtures

Content author: webeditor@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13