Making the match day experience accessible for spectators with sight loss
Two people by football stadium yellow seats
RNIB and British Blind Sport are working together to raise awareness among the two million people with sight loss in the UK - and across the sports sector - about how more blind and partially sighted people can get involved with sport and activity and feel the benefits as participants or spectators.
As part of See Sport Differently we want to improve the spectator experience for people with sight loss at sporting stadiums as blind and partially sighted people are half as likely to attend live sporting events compared to the England average due to venue accessibility.
To begin the journey of improving stadium accessibility we have focused on football stadiums within the English Premier League and the English Football League (EFL) and created some best practice guidance to showcase how clubs can provide blind and partially sighted people with the best possible match day experience.
We are extremely thankful to the following clubs who collaborated with us on the guidance, along with support from the EFL and the pan disability sport charity Level Playing Field.
- Arsenal
- Everton
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Plymouth Argyle
- Wrexham
Creating the guidance for accessible stadiums
Importantly blind and partially sighted sports fans have been central to the creating this guidance. Through focus groups, blind and partially sighted fans identified five key areas sporting clubs should consider when making their stadiums accessible for fans living with sight loss.
- Building a tangible sense of belonging
- Sight loss awareness training for stewards
- Audio descriptive commentary
- The physical environment
- Accessible matchday programmes.
Download the guidance to find out more and get in touch with us for support to implement the guidance at your club.