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27/09/05 - Football Clubs to test Audio Description
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begun to provide vision-impaired fans with wireless audio description
in more stadiums, including those of lower league clubs (unfortunately only in England).
Coca Cola league clubs Brighton and Hove Albion, Bristol City,
Cardiff City, Doncaster Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Swansea City and
Nationwide Conference side Halifax Town are to test such services, E-
Access Bulletin has learned. The clubs, working in partnership with the
RNIB, aim to have the equipment installed and volunteer
commentators in place by the end of the year.
At present, the quality of audio description services is patchy, if it is
provided at all. In many cases, only a small number of headsets are
available, particularly for away fans, and only at restricted locations in
the stadium, which often means that families and groups of friends
have to split up. Wireless technology can deliver the service to all seats
in the ground.
Where no audio description services are provided many vision-
impaired fans are forced to rely on radio commentary, but this can be
frustrating. "The trouble with radio commentary is the regular
interruptions while reports come in from other matches, other sports, or
even traffic updates," said Eleanor Ellison of the RNIB. According to
Ellison, most Premiership clubs now provide some form of audio
description service, but the RNIB is keen to see all of them install the
latest wireless equipment.
With the surge of interest in cricket following England's victory over
Australia in the Ashes, the RNIB is hopeful that at least some cricket
grounds will follow suit. "We've had discussions with the people at
Lords, the Oval and Sussex Cricket Club," said Ellison. Later this year,
the institute will partner with the BBC to put together a team of
volunteer commentators for all the sports venues testing the
technology.
Let's hope it's not too long before Scottish clubs have it
too!
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