Kick-off for “Leicht Kicken” project at FC Schalke 04
Together with the Bundesbehindertenfanarbeitsgemeinschaft (BBAG) (Federal Disabled Fan Working Group) and its KickIn! advice center, EFDN member FC Schalke 04 has launched the “Leicht Kicken” (kicking easily) project. Over the next 25 months, the aim is to create an online dictionary and a sustainable network for easy language in football. In the 18- to 64-year-old age group alone, around 16.8 million people in Germany benefit from easy language. Statistically, about 5.8 million of these people are interested in football.
Together with clubs and fan representatives from the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga, an online dictionary for easy language in football is to be created. On the one hand, the initiative intends to encourage football institutions (clubs, associations, fan clubs and sports media) to expand their communication in easy language. On the other hand, the creation of a nationwide online resource aims to improve the accessibility of communication in football in this area. The project is coordinated by the Bundesbehindertenfanarbeitsgemeinschaft (BBAG) and its advisory service KickIn!
Easy language is a simplified version of German: Short sentences, simple and familiar words, and images that support text comprehension are key characteristics of “Leichter Sprache”. Easy language is especially helpful for people with learning difficulties, functional illiterates or deaf people with reading difficulties. However, it also helps people with little knowledge of German, migrants or people with brain injuries or older people whose reading ability has declined to understand complex issues more easily. The number of people in Germany who can benefit directly from plain language is estimated to be around 16.8 million in the 18 to 64 age group alone.
In addition to FC Schalke 04, the central partners of the BBAG project “Leicht Kicken” include five other football clubs from the 1st and 2nd Bundesliga that are already active in the area of easy language: FC St. Pauli, Borussia Dortmund, Hamburger SV, Hertha BSC and SV Werder Bremen. Also on board are Deutsche Fußball Liga GmbH (DFL) and the DFB’s Sepp Herberger Foundation. The “Alles Klar für Alle” office for easy language of the Diakonische Stiftung Ummeln is supporting the technical implementation.
At the first meeting, the representatives of the participating clubs, associations, initiatives and organizations came together virtually because of the ongoing Corona pandemic. After a superordinate project group was founded, in which the further project process is coordinated, the collection of football terms in plain language is to be started. Clubs and fans will jointly fill the dictionary with relevant terms from football and fan culture. During this process, special attention will be paid to the sustainable involvement of people with learning difficulties. The publication of the online dictionary for easy language in football is planned for March 2023.
Because you deserve it- Schalke 04
Social engagement in surrounding areas- Schalke 04
