Difficulty: Summiteer (Level 3)
A pilot audio description service in Hong Kong is helping visually impaired people enjoy sporting events. Offered by the Hong Kong Blind Union, the service promotes equality for people with disabilities.
The union said it had offered the service at 105 sports events over the past 4½ years. Events included the Hong Kong Sevens rugby tournament and the Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships. The number of users who attended these events was more than 1,200.
Audio description provides information about the key visual elements in films, television shows, plays and sports events. This information is useful for those who are visually impaired.
The union said a lack of public knowledge and a limited number of service providers meant it was still not popular in the local sector.
“In Hong Kong, people are more familiar with audio description in films and entertainment arts as well as dramas,” said Jackie Kwan Cheuk-yin, executive director of the union.
Kwan said audio descriptions have helped blind people enjoy football matches in places like Britain. The union hoped to bring the service to Hong Kong to benefit locals.
Quiz time
1. How can people with visual impairments enjoy sporting events?
2. What is an audio description service?
3. How many people have used the Hong Kong Blind Union’s audio description service so far?
4. According to the union, why is the service not yet widely used in Hong Kong?
Suggested answers
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through an audio description service
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it provides information about the key visual elements in films, television shows, plays and sports events
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More than 1,200
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A lack of public knowledge and a limited number of service providers
