West Ham United are delighted to announce the launch of a brand-new audio descriptive commentary system, which will be available for the first time at London Stadium for our game against Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Club has provided audio descriptive commentary at every home match for over 22 seasons through James Datson. He is one of the first audio descriptive commentators for visually impaired and blind supporters in football.
The new system, which has been delivered in partnership with the Disabled Supporters Association, is a much-improved digital service that will provide an enhanced match day experience for partially and visually impaired supporters. This update also means the service can reach the complete range of the 62,500 capacity London Stadium.
West Ham United Disability Access Officer Julie Pidgeon said: “On behalf of the Club, it has been a privilege to work with the Disabled Supporters Association and James Datson to ensure we continually improve accessible services for fans.
“We are proud that West Ham Untied has delivered audio descriptive commentary for 22 seasons, but this much-improved digital service will provide a significantly enhanced match day experience.
“It will allow our partially or visually impaired supporters to fully experience the special atmosphere at London Stadium and keep up with the Hammers action in real time.”
Audio Descriptive Commentary Lead James Datson said: “Our fans listening to me are sat in the stadium and they can hear the sounds from the crowd or elsewhere being inclusion of our fan base, making them feel part of the whole experience. I get the chance to add colour, excitement and enhance their experience, making sure having a visual disability doesn’t stop them from following our Club.
“I let them know what is going on in the stands, the dugouts, players warming-up or how the players and managers have reacted to particular situation, it’s not just about the action on the pitch. West Ham continuing to provide this service and launching the new equipment will only build on those with a disability being aware you can still come to the match and be part of our club.”
Disabled Supporters Association Co Chair Cathy Bayford said: “We are thrilled that the new equipment is ready to be rolled out. As with all disabled issues, the Club have involved us in the process of purchasing the new headsets to ensure they have chosen the most suitable system.
“The advances in technology had seen the old equipment becoming unreliable and many of our partially sighted and blind supporters rely on James’ comprehensive commentary to fully enjoy their matchday experience.”
Supporters will be required to collect a numbered receiver on Sunday from one of the Supporter Services tents by Turnstile D, G and H in addition to Bridge 2.
A Disabled Supporter Assistant will be in place at both tents and will ask you to sign a form confirming receipt of the receiver. At the same time, you will be given a form with Terms & Conditions of issuance that we kindly ask you read.
If you have any questions or wish to use the new system, please contact us on 0333 030 0174 or email [email protected].
For more information on the Disabled Supporters Association, please click here.
