Hong Kong Blind Association brings audio commentary to sporting events

Challenge: Getting to the Top (Level 3)

A pilot audio description service in Hong Kong is helping visually impaired people enjoy sporting events. The service, offered by the Hong Kong Blind Association, promotes equality for people with disabilities.

The union said it has provided services at 105 sporting events in the past 4½ years. Events included the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament and the Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships. The number of users participating in these events was over 1,200.

Voice identification; Provides information about key visual elements in movies, television programs, plays, and sporting events. This information is useful for the visually impaired.

The union said a lack of public information and a limited number of service providers meant it was still unpopular in the local sector.

“In Hong Kong, people are more familiar with audio description in movies, entertainment arts and dramas,” said Jackie Kwan Cheuk-yin, the association’s general manager.

Kwan said audio commentary has helped blind people enjoy football matches in places like England. The union hoped to bring the service to Hong Kong to benefit local people.

exam time

1. How can visually impaired people enjoy sports events?

2. What is the audio description service?

3. How many people have used the Hong Kong Blind Association’s audio description service so far?

4. According to the union, why is the service not yet widely used in Hong Kong?

Suggested answers

1. via audio description service

2. Provides information about important visual elements featured in films, television programmes, plays and sporting events

3. more than 1,200

4. Lack of public information and limited number of service providers