Paris Olympics Embrace Accessibility Tech for Visually Impaired Fans
Paris 2024 Olympics introduce innovative technologies for visually impaired fans. Vision Pad enhances engagement by representing ball movement on a tactile tablet. Low-Vision Helmet offers a unique visual experience for sports enthusiasts.
Each Olympic venue unfolds a tapestry of unique narratives, from athletes to spectators. Ahead of the Paralympic Games, Paris 2024 organisers have prioritised enhancing accessibility.
Ludivine Munos, a former Paralympic swimming medallist involved in integrating accessibility for the Paris 2024 Games, expressed, “Our goal is precisely to provide an experience with as few barriers as possible. People with disabilities have specific needs and sometimes find it difficult to understand what is happening on the field,’'
A remarkable innovation, the Vision Pad, a tactile tablet, introduces a new dimension of engagement for visually impaired individuals. It utilises a moving magnetic ball to represent the ball in play, allowing users to track its movement by running their fingers across the tablet.
Olympic enthusiast Zoé Thierry shared her immersive experience with the Vision Pad at the Bercy Arena during the Greece-Germany quarterfinal, stating, “This time, we are truly immersed in the action, we can really follow the ball.” The tablet, currently available for ball games like basketball, soccer, and rugby, is also being used at the Paralympics.
In addition to the Vision Pad, other technologies cater to visual impairments. An app assists visually impaired individuals in finding their seats on trains. The Low-Vision Helmet enables users to zoom in on athletes or actions, providing a unique viewing experience akin to a VR headset.
At the Stade de France, the Low-Vision Helmet shines, enhancing the visual experience for sports enthusiasts like Florian Trichaud, who attended a track and field final. Trichaud, a fervent soccer fan, highlighted the significance of feeling included visually, thanks to the headset.
Designed by companies such as GiveVision, Touch2See, and Ezymob, in collaboration with the Paris 2024 organising committee, these products aim to enhance the Olympic experience for visually impaired individuals. Audio description technology, detailing stadium events, adds another layer of inclusivity.
Adrien Izard-Le Calvé, a French audio descriptor, emphasised the importance of describing stadium activities in detail to create an immersive experience for visually impaired attendees. This technology, available through the Paris2024 Olympics app, ensures everyone can follow the games.
Efforts to raise awareness and facilitate access to these technologies have been paramount. Organisers have communicated extensively with ticket holders, including those with disabilities, to ensure they are informed about the available accessibility features during the Games.
Paris aims to set a precedent for inclusivity and accessibility at major sporting events, striving to create a lasting legacy of progress. The commitment to enhancing the experience for all attendees, regardless of abilities, underscores the importance of inclusivity in the world of sports.
Paris 2024 Olympics introduce innovative technologies for visually impaired fans
Vision Pad enhances engagement by representing ball movement on a tactile tablet
Low-Vision Helmet offers a unique visual experience for sports enthusiasts
Source: AP NEWS