When a sporting event is on, many visually impaired fans are forced to rely on radio commentary and this can be frustrating. “The trouble with radio commentary is the regular interruptions while reports come in from other matches, other sports, or even traffic updates,” said Eleanor Ellison of the Royal National Institute for the Blind, (R.N.I.B), UK.

As the new football season begins, a co-ordinated effort has begun to provide visually impaired fans with wireless audio description in more stadiums. The football clubs, working in partnership with the R.N.I.B, aim to have the equipment installed and volunteer commentators in place by the end of the year end. At present, the quality of audio description services at sport stadiums is patchy, if it is provided at all. Wireless technology can deliver the service to all seats in the ground.

Most premiership clubs now provide some form of audiodescription service, but the R.N.I.B is keen to see all of them install the latest wireless equipment. Coca Cola league clubs Brighton and Hove Albion, Bristol City, Cardiff City, Doncaster Rovers, Huddersfield Town, Swansea City and Nationwide Conference side Halifax Town are to test such services.

With the surge of interest in cricket following England's victory over Australia in the Ashes, the R.N.I.B is hopeful that at least some cricket grounds will follow suit. Later this year, the institute will partner with the BBC to put together a team of volunteer commentators for all the sports venues testing the technology.