At the Paris Olympic Games in 2024, inclusive sports viewing will be implemented, allowing blind and deaf fans to fully experience the games. In stadiums across the United States, audio description, vibrating vests, and touch tablets are already being used to enhance the viewing experience for these fans.
Sofiane Ahmad, a blind basketball fan who attends games at the Bercy Arena in Paris, enjoys listening to audio descriptions of the action through special devices that provide a commentator’s play-by-play. This technology allows her to fully immerse herself in the game and feel connected to the action.
Pierre-Marie Micheli, another blind sports fan who enjoys rugby matches through audio description and tactile experiences provided by touch tablets, feels that these devices have made it possible for him to participate in live sports events in a meaningful way. He can now feel the energy of the game and follow along with the action without any barriers.
Vibrating vests are also being used by deaf fans like Khaled Kharraz to convert sounds into vibrations that they can feel on their skin. This technology has allowed them to enjoy various sports events from stadiums across France and other countries around the world.
These devices are not yet widely used but are expected to become more prevalent in sports like football, tennis, Paralympic disciplines and others as they enhance accessibility and make it easier for all fans to enjoy live sports events regardless of their abilities. The Paris-2024 Olympic Games will include audio description in six sports and ten Paralympic disciplines across thirteen facilities making it more accessible for all athletes participating as well as spectators.
Overall, these devices highlight how technology can be used to create a more inclusive environment where everyone can participate in live sports events without any barriers. By using innovative technology and inclusive design, we can ensure that all fans have an equal opportunity to enjoy live sports events no matter what their abilities may be.
