So we’re back in lockdown and many of us are at home, spending a lot more time looking at various screens than we would normally. For sports fans who can no longer go to see their team play in a stadium, tv streaming services have become essential for following all the live-action.
Level Playing Field want to know if these streaming services are accessible to everyone. Some websites and services are not compatible with assistive technology like screen readers, which read text to blind and partially sighted users, or speech input so that people can talk to their computer instead of using a keyboard. It is estimated that 4.3 million disabled people click away from inaccessible websites each year.
For this reason, Level Playing Field want to hear about disabled fans’ experiences.
The survey aims to help Level Playing Field and other organisations understand whether these streaming services are fully accessible for disabled supporters or whether improvements can be made. The results will be shared publicly and with service providers directly, with a focus on what can be done to improve.
There are many barriers that disabled people face in life, but most of these barriers can be removed through effective dialogue and good practice. Watching live sport is a huge part of many people’s lives and no one should feel excluded from this just because stadiums are currently closed. Supporters still have a passion for sport and streaming services need to be accessible to all fans.
The survey will be open for 5 weeks from Friday 13th November till Friday 18th December.
For more details, please contact info@levelplayingfield.org.uk.