Arsenal FC assist in new guide to help the visually impaired access sport easier
Arsenal is one of six clubs who participated in the report, which looked into the challenges visually impaired fans face and proposed new ways to make sports more accessible.
Arsenal FC have assisted the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in a new guide on how sports venues can make the match day experience better for fans with sight loss.
Arsenal, along with Everton, Plymouth, Wolves and Wrexham football clubs, participated in the See Sport Differently Guidance report.
It found that 23% of the 406 blind and partially sighted people surveyed said they could not experience or access a sporting event properly. They said venues do not accommodate for people with sight loss.
41% of respondents stated the lack of accessible communication like audio-described commentary put them off attending live sports events. However 38% believed their football stadiums had adapted to make the live viewing experience more accessible.
Arsenal FC are being proactive in making the Emirates stadium more accessible to visually impaired fans. CREDIT: VISIONHAUS/GETTY IMAGES.
The report found that Arsenal are being proactive in trying to combat these issues. The club’s actions include making their access guide available in audio format.
Quick wins to make stadiums easier for the blind
RNIB chief executive Matt Stringer states that the new guide details additional actions the club can take to improve accessibility, including:
“Handy checklists and quick wins that clubs can implement to help make stadiums easier for blind and partially sighted fans to navigate.”
One of these ‘wins’ is implementing high quality audio description technology that will detail the match events to those that cannot see them. This reduces visually impaired people relying on sighted fans to tell them what is going on.
‘See Sport Differently Guidance’ suggests that high quality audio description technology be distributed across sport. CREDIT: LUC CLAESSEN/BELGA/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
The RNIB chief executive praised clubs who have participated in the study. He highlighted the importance of working across the football pyramid to enhance the match day experience for those that are visually impaired.
The English Football League (EFL) welcomes the report and has issued it to all 72 member clubs.
David McArdle, director of equality, diversity and inclusion at the EFL, said:
“We were pleased to support RNIB with the creation of this new guidance. It will be a huge support to clubs, providing practical steps to make the match day experience more accessible for people with a visual impairment.”
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HeadlineArsenal FC assist in new guide to help the visually impaired access sport easier
Short HeadlineArsenal aid report making sport more accessible
StandfirstArsenal is one of six clubs who participated in the report, which looked into the challenges visually impaired fans face and proposed new ways to make sports more accessible.
Arsenal FC have assisted the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) in a new guide on how sports venues can make the match day experience better for fans with sight loss.
Arsenal, along with Everton, Plymouth, Wolves and Wrexham football clubs, participated in the See Sport Differently Guidance report.
It found that 23% of the 406 blind and partially sighted people surveyed said they could not experience or access a sporting event properly. They said venues do not accommodate for people with sight loss.
41% of respondents stated the lack of accessible communication like audio-described commentary put them off attending live sports events. However 38% believed their football stadiums had adapted to make the live viewing experience more accessible.
Arsenal FC are being proactive in making the Emirates stadium more accessible to visually impaired fans. CREDIT: VISIONHAUS/GETTY IMAGES.
The report found that Arsenal are being proactive in trying to combat these issues. The club’s actions include making their access guide available in audio format.
Quick wins to make stadiums easier for the blind
RNIB chief executive Matt Stringer states that the new guide details additional actions the club can take to improve accessibility, including:
“Handy checklists and quick wins that clubs can implement to help make stadiums easier for blind and partially sighted fans to navigate.”
One of these ‘wins’ is implementing high quality audio description technology that will detail the match events to those that cannot see them. This reduces visually impaired people relying on sighted fans to tell them what is going on.
‘See Sport Differently Guidance’ suggests that high quality audio description technology be distributed across sport. CREDIT: LUC CLAESSEN/BELGA/AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES
The RNIB chief executive praised clubs who have participated in the study. He highlighted the importance of working across the football pyramid to enhance the match day experience for those that are visually impaired.
The English Football League (EFL) welcomes the report and has issued it to all 72 member clubs.
David McArdle, director of equality, diversity and inclusion at the EFL, said:
“We were pleased to support RNIB with the creation of this new guidance. It will be a huge support to clubs, providing practical steps to make the match day experience more accessible for people with a visual impairment.”
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