Project details
Audio-descriptive commentary PSV
PSV offers a special blind people’s gallery for blind and visually impaired football fans. On the main stand in section F, ten visually impaired fans and their supervisors can attend the match. They are handed Philips headsets that allow them to experience everything that happens during the match with the help of commentary provided by two specially appointed commentators. The fans in this special gallery are very excited about this facility.
Successful test
The 68-year old Jan Huybers is one of these support- ers. In 1966, retinal infections severely limit his vision and keep him from experiencing the game like he used to. To keep track of his club’s performance, he listens to live commentary on the radio or watches summaries on TV. Actually seeing the players per- form is no longer an option, however. Because of his handicap, Huybers visits the Bartiméus Eindhoven foundation, which serves blind and
visually impaired people. That is where he meets Patrick van de Voort (coordinator of PSV in the community), who tells him that PSV also offers a special gallery for the blind. PSV tests the initiative during the 2014-2015 football season. It is such a success that the club decided to permanently set aside twenty seats for fans with a visual handicap.
Excellent commentary
‘I don’t miss a thing. Everything is described in great detail,’ Huybers says. ‘The commentators mention who is running, whether they use the inside or outside of their foot, who is throwing the ball you name it. I experience everything, it’s entirely up-to-date. Langs de Lijn only offers glimpses, because they switch between the various games.
This commentary allows me to experience all ninety minutes of a match.’
Goal from PSV
Whenever PSV’s players score a goal, the commen- tators do not start shouting and celebrating. ‘They are happy, of course, and so are we, but it is not like they completely lose their minds. They do not raise their voices, but maintain their normal tone of voice. They describe the events with more enthusiasm, but it is never exaggerated. I appreciate that.’ Huybers can tell that the other spectators are becoming more excited when a goal is approaching. ‘I do notice that, just not as much as other people. That is because of the headset I am wearing, of course.’
Compliments
Huybers would like to meet the three commentators (two per match). According to him, these volunteers, who provide commentary from the press stand, deserve a lot of praise for their hard work. ‘They take turns describing the match and who has the ball. I would like to meet them someday, to know who these people are and give them my compli- ments. They do excellent work and I am certainly not alone in thinking so. Everyone in the gallery has nothing but good things to say about them.’
Points of improvement
Although the commentary is a godsend, Huybers does feel there is still room for improvement. ‘Finding our seats is still difficult for us. Leaving the stadium is easier, for that matter. There is work to be done in that regard. Other than that, though, I am very glad that PSV offers a stand for blind people.
It gives me a chance to fully experience PSV’s home games.
Dutch Street Cup
