CAFE was delighted to celebrate Total Football Total Access in Switzerland for the first time, with specialist audio-descriptive commentary provided for partially sighted and blind football fans.

Since last summer, Radio Blind Power has been broadcasting audio-descriptive commentary at selected games from the Swiss Raiffeisen Super League, enabling partially sighted and blind fans to closely follow the game.

Currently, Radio Blind Power offers audio-descriptive commentary at two matches per round (two games every weekend), and are aiming to increase this number at a later time. Listeners can tune in from home, on the road and from within the stadium by visiting www.blindpower.ch.

To launch the CAFE Week of Action, Radio Blind Power provided audio-descriptive commentary at the BSC Young Boys vs FC Thun match on Saturday, and the FC Luzern vs Grasshopper Club Zürich match on Sunday.

Next weekend, Radio Blind Power will also provide audio-descriptive commentary at FC St. Gallen vs FC Luzern on Saturday and FC Sion vs FC Basel on Sunday.

Audio-descriptive commentary is very helpful for partially sighted and blind people", said Yves Kilchoer, who leads the audio-descriptive commentary project and is partially sighted himself.

"Football is Switzerland's most important sport, attracting thousands of fans in stadiums all over the country every week. When audio-descriptive commentary is available, partially sighted and blind people can also follow the games and discuss them with their friends later."

Radio Blind Power runs the project in partnership with Swiss Super League and the Raiffeisen Bank. "The Swiss Super League as well as their biggest sponsor are promoting integration of partially sighted and blind people every week, setting a great example for others to follow.", Kilchoer adds.

"Radio Blind Power is delighted to participate in the CAFE Week of Action 2017 - Total Football Total Access. Radio Blind Power wants the fascinating sport of football to be accessible for partially sighted and blind football fans, believing that it's one big step towards social integration and complete equality for disabled people".

In addition to providing audio-descriptive commentary, Radio Blind Power also actively promotes the social integration of partially sighted and blind people. It offers training for future radio broadcasters, and produces audio reports covering accessibility and integration topics.

The broadcasts can be found online at www.blindpower.ch. Further information can also be obtained on Facebook at www.facebook.com/radioblindpower.

What is audio-descriptive commentary?

Audio-descriptive commentary is a dedicated matchday service for partially sighted and blind spectators, though it is also enjoyed by many non-disabled people.

The specially trained commentator provides additional narration that describes all significant visual information such as body language, facial expression, scenery, action, clothing, colours and anything else that is important to conveying the image, venue, match, event or surrounding ambience.

During the match, the audio-descriptive commentator describes the on-pitch action rather than talking about statistics or tactics or providing lengthy summaries of previous action.

For further information about audio-descriptive commentary, or if you are interested in implementing the service at your club or venue, please email CAFE at [email protected].

Published 07/03/2017