Leisure

Audio description at sports venues

Summary: Information about how to get audio description in sports venues in the UK.

• Cricket
• Football
• Rugby
• Visually Impaired Supporters Association (VISA)
• London 2012 Olympics
• Equipment
• Further information

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"I still love the buzz of a match - even though I can't see now. I follow every kick through my headphones. It's brilliant, and the adrenaline rush when we score is still the same!" Audio description user

For a dedicated sports fan, there’s nothing quite like attending a match. Coverage of events or matches on the TV can never quite provide that stadium experience. The atmosphere in the ground, the reception given to the players as they appear, the ripple of the net as the ball goes in for a goal or the sound of willow striking leather. There’s nothing quite like saying, “I was there”; all of this can be enhanced by commentary.

Cricket

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 ‘Ball by Ball’ commentary service at the ground.

Alan Whetherley, partially sighted commentary listener, said “listening to the new commentary system at Lords was as good as listening to Test Match Special. The sound was amazing and the commentators really brought the game to life.”

Commentator, Richard Leslie said “I am delighted to be participating in the RNIB’s ball-by-ball initiative with the MCC. We hope that this will this bring a huge amount of pleasure to people who would otherwise not be able to enjoy a day at the cricket.”

More information about these facilities can be obtained from Neil Priscott at MCC (neil.priscott@mcc.org.uk).

Football

Commentary is provided at many of the professional league clubs as well as some non-league. Information regarding facilities provided at each football club, for home and away fans, is available from National Association of Disabled Supporters.

As part of our Soccer Sight project, we are currently working with a selection of Football League clubs to recruit volunteer commentators and provide training for them.

Rugby

There are a few rugby union and rugby league clubs who provide some commentary of matches. To find out if your club has these facilities contact the Stadium Management directly or Eleanor Ellison at RNIB.

Visually Impaired Supporters Association (VISA)

The Visually Impaired Supporters Association has been formed to represent the views of blind and partially sighted sports fans. RNIB, Guide Dogs for the Blind, The Football League, service users and an accredited access specialist all have representation on the committee.

VISA will give guidance to sporting bodies on best practice in areas including:

• Ticketing
• Seating
• Commentary and equipment
• Guide dogs
• Signage
• Programmes
• Refreshment services, retail outlets and museums.

For more information please contact Eleanor Ellison.

London 2012 Olympics

We have been a member of the disability working group who advised the bid team for London 2012. Now that the bid has been successful we will continue this relationship, campaigning for description facilities to be included in venues built and being used for 2012.

Equipment

Access Audio has designed equipment is specifically for the purpose of broadcasting description to blind and partially sighted people attending public events. The RAD system offers a superb level of reception utilising radio signals. This new system is currently being used at Arsenal FC and Sussex County Cricket Club.

The transmitter has the facility to accept two commentators each with their own microphone head set. The receivers are lightweight radios with earpieces and disposable batteries. There is no limit to the number of receivers each transmitter can accommodate.

Contact Access Audio by email webinfo@accessaudio.co.uk or by telephone 0131 663 0777

Further information

For further information on access to sports stadia or to give feedback on your experiences at a stadium, contact Eleanor Ellison telephone 01273 26 22 21 or email eleanor.ellison@rnib.org.uk

RNIB also offers advice to professionals and Stadium Managers on how to make their services accessible.

Back to audio description home page.

Content author: audiodescription@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13