Seescape initiative with major Fife football clubs promotes accessibility for visually impaired football fans
Seescape logo – Visual impairment support across Fife.
Blind and visually impaired people in Fife enjoy football matches, thanks to the partnership with Seescape and senior football clubs.
As part of Seescape’s (formerly Fife Society for the Blind) strategy to try and reduce social isolation for people with visual impairment in Fife, the charity this year reached out to three of the county’s senior football clubs: Dunfermline Athletic, East Fife and Raith Rovers to see how they can work with the charity to promote the good work the clubs already do to support visually impaired fans who attend matches and to encourage others to get involved.
All three clubs were very keen to get on board and understood the importance of not only being inclusive for visually impaired fans, but also the benefit of using the considerable presence they have in their respective areas to encourage people to try and be more involved in their communities. All three donated season tickets to distribute to Seescape clients to give them a “taster” of what is possible as opposed to gifting individual tickets for all (thus preventing existing paying fans with impairments from feeling disadvantaged).
Sandy Allan and Graham Ross sitting in the stands at East Fife Football Club holding the club’s yellow and black scarf behind them.
Seescape deal with people on a daily basis who really struggle to come to terms with sight loss, who naturally lose confidence and who, all too often, withdraw into themselves and stop interacting with others. This frequently has a huge impact on their mental well being, and we were keen to take action to help our clients get back to doing the things they love. The charity are keen to demonstrate that many activities remain accessible, with some adjustments and have set about a campaign of highlighting what is still out there for people in the hope that they can be inspired by others to try and make the most of their lives.
Football is clearly a very visual sport which historically has been seen to present barriers for people. Seescape felt that by demonstrating this too was accessible, it may make people rethink their own limitations and encourage them to challenge themselves, be it in undertaking their own hobbies by attending events such as the theatre, musicals, comedy clubs, attending and taking part in disability sport sessions, or simply having the confidence to go for walks or to carry out daily chores.
Football clubs have taken great strides in recent times to make the match day experience more inclusive, with most clubs having dedicated disabled platforms, which are physically designed to be easy to access as well as having Disability Access Officers (DAO) who are there to provide support and advice in terms of ticketing, stadium access and movement within the grounds. Some clubs have “Match Buddies” who assist fans with disabilities on the day to help make them comfortable.
Dave Henderson providing audio commentary for Stuart at Dunfermline Athletic Football Club.
Perhaps the most significant development has been the development of clubs’ audio commentary services on match days which means a trained commentator can describe the action as it unfolds on the pitch. This commentary is free to use and goes beyond normal TV commentary and describes things such as the weather, pitch conditions, areas of play within the pitch and general observations most take for granted.
Seescape have found the clubs a pleasure to deal with. DAO’s at clubs are always seeking new ways to increase the numbers of disabled fans going to games. This initiative has been mutually beneficial in that regard. Clubs also understand the financial benefits of the initiative as, not only does it encourage repeat custom, but those using the tickets will spend money while at the venues. Seescape would encourage others to make contact with their local clubs DAO’s. Details will be found on club websites. The DAO’s of all clubs connect with each other and experience shows that once they know others are taking part in these initiatives then peer pressure makes it difficult to stand alone and not get involved.
Graham, Stuart and his guide dog standing by the side of the football pitch at Dunfermline Athletic Football Club.
The initiative in Fife has been running for several weeks now and there has been considerable interest in it with the tickets being taken up weekly. There have been heart warming stories from those taking part, one of which was an elderly gentleman who had been a season ticket holder for over 60 years but who had given up all hope of returning having lost his sight in February 2024. The gentleman’s family had been worried about the lack of routine and enjoyment in his life and got in touch upon hearing of the initiative. He attended his first match using the audio commentary in early November and was welcomed back by many friends he had made over the years who sat near him at matches. On being seen he was applauded to his seat by them and had a fantastic afternoon.
The very real positive impact initiatives like this can have is clear and will hopefully encourage others to have the courage to involve themselves more in daily life. While this will not solve the issue of isolation alone, many people in Fife are already feeling the benefits of this and the interaction it brings.
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