Headline
Headline
Back to London, UK News

'Now I'm part of the crowd' - the tech helping visually impaired football fans

London, UKSports

Crystal Palace has introduced special headsets for visually impaired fans, significantly enhancing their experience at live football matches. Sophia, a young supporter with bi-macular atrophy, shares how the technology has allowed her to feel more connected to the game and the crowd. The headsets, created by GiveVision, enable users to zoom in on the action and watch live TV coverage in real time. This initiative responds to findings from the Royal National Institute of Blind People, which noted that blind and partially sighted individuals are only half as likely to attend sporting events compared to the national average. Currently, the headsets are only available at Crystal Palace, but there are plans to expand to more clubs as demand grows.

Joanna Liddington, GiveVision’s Head of Operations, emphasizes their commitment to working with other teams to provide this technology. The initiative has gained support from players, including Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who advocates for broader access to such experiences for visually impaired children. This movement marks a significant step towards increasing accessibility in sports and fostering inclusivity among fans.

Related Articles

London, UKLocal News

Charity urges removal of Tube cat travel video

An animal protection charity urged Transport for London (TfL) to remove a social media video promoting cat travel on public transport. The Cats Protection charity criticized the video as "shocking," highlighting the potential stress and safety risks of traveling with cats in crowded areas. TfL maintains that animals can travel on the network if done safely and in accordance with regulations.

London, UKLocal News

Car meets The hobby that petrolheads love but locals loathe

Residents of Elmers End, southeast London, face ongoing disturbances from illegal car racing in a local supermarket parking lot. A night-time barrier is set to be installed to curb the noise and danger, though locals fear it may simply shift the problem elsewhere. Authorities are under pressure to address the growing trend of illegal car meets across the capital.

London, UKLocal News

Man faces eviction after mum's death from cancer

Kyle Rolfe, 25, faces eviction from his childhood home in west London after Ealing Council invoked tenancy succession rules. Following his mother's death from cancer, he was informed he must vacate the property by October 22, where her ashes are scattered. Despite submitting a rehousing request, he struggles with anxiety over the potential loss of his home.