Lincoln City Football Club

Audio description is a specialist form of commentary, which provides blind and vision impaired listeners detailed descriptions of events, surpassing that of traditionally broadcasted commentary.

 

The introduction of the service for home was made possible by a group of City supporters who climbed Mount Snowdon at night, to raise the funds to purchase the service.

 

Each week all of our ADC receivers are loaned to supporters around the ground and enquiries we receive are increasing every week, so much so that the club looking to increase the number of receivers we currently hold to meet demand as supporters gain knowledge of the service.

 

The club's disability liaison officer Heidi Langham said: "ADC is predominantly designed for blind or visually impaired supporters, but I feel strongly that the service can offer so much more.

 

"We have found that it’s beneficial to other disabled supporters, for example those with learning disabilities, or persons whom are on the autistic spectrum or have dementia to name a few of the reasons that users may utilise the service.

 

"I hope that this use of the service can be highlighted to other clubs & supporters, who may not have tried the service as they are unaware that it can be beneficial for these reasons. It’s a valuable service in terms of access and inclusion that greatly improves the matchday experience of users. Our commentary is provided by AMS using volunteers, Gareth, Scott and Tom -  the feedback from our users has been very positive."

 

Headsets and receivers can be collected from the ticket office before home games (from the SLO point 12noon-2pm, then from the ticket office desks). Fans are encouraged to bring their own headphones where possible to minimise the amount of equipment needed to be shared - the receivers have a standard aux output. Anyone with questions about the service are asked to contact disability liaison officer Heidi Langham on dlo@theredimps.com.

 

 

“I am visually impaired. I have vison in my left eye with a field of view of 1.5 degrees or so. I watch the game using a monocular. It is an exercise in frustration as once I lose the ball it can take a while to find it again. The audio descriptive service has been a Godsend as well as good entertainment. The "Wrexham" and "lady of the night" incidents to name a few. The commentators seem like they have been doing it for more than a season, and compare well with others I have listened to at away matches. Well done to all those involved.”

 

“I am not blind or partially but I find the audio description facility invaluable. This is because I am a wheelchair user and therefore have to sit on row A. I am seated in The Co-op Stand so there is a lot of traffic in front of me whether it's people going to the toilets, getting refreshments, or toward the end of the game just leaving. Every time somebody passes in front of me I cannot see the game. Typically this would happen at a crucial part of the game meaning that miss that particular bit of action. With that use of the audio description radio, I can hear what is happening so I don't miss anything. Bearing in mind that these volunteers are amateurs and not professional commentators, they do sometimes make mistakes but their commentary is getting better every game and has made my experience at Lincoln City less frustrating and much more enjoyable.”

 

“Supporting Lincoln City as a visually impaired person I have found the audio commentary sets an amazing help. They help me keep track of the action when the play is far away or happens quickly. The commentators are fun and informative and it's always nice hearing your name get a little shout out. All this adds to the experience and I can still soak up that atmosphere I love so much. It's great supporting a club that cares about their fans like Lincoln City do.”

 

“I just wanted to say thank you Heidi Langham for letting me use one of your radio headsets (not sure what they are called).

I am a season ticket holder in Upper 3 Co-Op stand and my eye sight and hearing is not as good these days, unfortunately age is creeping in. But what a fantastic gadget to help not only blind or partially sighted people but hard of hearing also. Brilliant commentary and enabled me to keep up with the game, even though we lost.