Leisure

Ninety-six per cent of people with sight problems watch TV but seventy per cent have difficulties following programmes because of their sight loss.

Our leisure services work to ensure people with sight problems get equal access to recreation and leisure facilities and associated services.

We promote the benefits of leisure activities, boost awareness of the opportunities available, and encourage people with sight problems to make the most of their free time.

We offer advice and information for sports, leisure, arts and tourism professionals to help them provide more accessible service. We can also provide a training and consultancy service to these sectors.

Our information guides and publications on leisure and recreation are available in large print, braille, audio tape and floppy disk.

We continue to create partnerships with local communities and leisure providers to improve opportunities for people with sight problems.

Current projects

• Audio Description on TV can transform the enjoyment of TV for people with sight problems. From February 2008 we will be working hard to raise awareness about the availability of this free and existing service.
• Ball by Ball - blind and partially sighted spectators are now able to follow every ball bowled and every boundary scored through the new dedicated commentary service at Lord's cricket ground.
• Our Soccer Sight project is working with football clubs to ensure facilities are accessible to all disabled people.
• Getting on with Gardening, a joint project with Thrive, is enabling blind and partially sighted people to develop their gardening skills.
• Activate is a training programme for gym instructors and leisure staff to help people with sight problems access gym facilities and get the most out of their fitness programmes.
• Leisure in Focus, a new publication, gives practical advice for both people with sight problems and tutors running classes in various leisure activities.

Successes

• Over 120 DVDs are now available with audio description tracks on them.
• RNIB, BBC and 2Entertain worked together to successfully release Dr Who Series 2 DVD box set with audio description and audio menus.
• Dedicated commentary of cricket matches now at Lords. More about audio description and sport.
• Our Home Video Service allows people with sight problems to enjoy popular films in the comfort of their own home. Since its launch, the service has audio described more than 150 films.
• Audio description is finally available to consumers on Digital Terrestrial Television thanks to a number of campaigners led by RNIB.
• We successfully campaigned to gain 50 per cent reduction in television licence fee for registered blind people.
• Audio description is now provided by more than 100 theatres across the UK and more than 130 cinemas.

Content author: webeditor@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 16/05/2008 11:45