Technology is changing the world in countless ways, and one of the most exciting advancements today is the way it’s being used to improve the lives of people with disabilities. In particular, innovations in data, artificial intelligence and hardware are revolutionising how entertainment venues accommodate individuals who have previously faced barriers to access. A recent example of this is a pioneering partnership between Crystal Palace FC, Shared Access and GiveVision, which has introduced ground-breaking vision enhancement technology for fans with visual impairments. This is not just a milestone for the club but for the global sports industry as a whole.
As Chief Development Officer at Shared Access, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Crystal Palace FC and GiveVision to bring this transformative project to life. The project centres around a cutting-edge vision enhancement system that allows fans with sight loss to experience live football like never before. Through the unique combination of a private 5G network and the innovative GiveVision headset, partially sighted home (and away) fans at Selhurst Park now have the ability to follow the pitch action in real-time, just like any other spectator in the stadium.
This initiative highlights how emerging technologies – especially private 5G networks – are bridging the gap for people with disabilities, providing not only real-time access to sporting events but also an opportunity for a more inclusive, immersive experience that was once unimaginable. Here’s how this innovation works and why it matters so much.
The role of 5G in enhancing accessibility
At the heart of this project lies the private 5G network built by Shared Access, which ensures that fans with sight loss experience a seamless, lag-free broadcast of the match. Traditional broadcasting methods for streaming inside venues often result in poor-quality streams with frustrating delays. However, the use of Shared Access’ private 5G network ensures that the GiveVision headsets deliver live footage from the host broadcaster directly to users with no interruptions or lag. This means that fans with low vision can follow the match with stunning clarity, seeing every pass, foul, shirt pull and goal in perfect synchronicity with the action on the field.
5G technology’s low-latency and high-speed capabilities make it ideal for delivering a real-time, immersive experience. The network installed at Selhurst Park is exclusive to the stadium, meaning that it is immune to the congestion that typically slows down public networks, especially during busy events. For fans with sight loss, this level of precision means they no longer need to rely on auditory descriptions or struggle to follow the game through a visual medium that doesn’t match the live action.
Breaking barriers to participation
Accessibility in sport is not just about ensuring physical spaces are wheelchair-friendly; it’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their abilities, can enjoy the full sensory experience of attending a game. According to studies, 73% of sports fans with visual impairments don’t attend matches due to the lack of accessible solutions. This is a striking statistic and one that has motivated Crystal Palace FC to become the first club in the Premier League and indeed world football to adopt GiveVision technology permanently at their stadium. Partially sighted fans can now experience the thrill of live football in their usual seats, alongside friends and family.
This breakthrough technology ensures they are not isolated in specific designated areas but can sit anywhere in the stadium – further promoting independence and equality for all fans. As sports venues and events are traditionally built to cater to the needs of fully sighted individuals, this technology offers a much-needed solution to a long-standing issue of inclusion. It exemplifies how, through innovative thinking and a willingness to invest in new technologies, barriers to participation can be dismantled.
A step toward inclusion
One of the most significant outcomes of this collaboration is its impact on inclusivity. Crystal Palace FC have not only addressed the needs of their own and visiting away fans but they have set a new precedent for other sports clubs to follow. The vision enhancement technology is a game-changer for people with disabilities, highlighting the growing role of assistive technology in ensuring that venues are accessible to everyone.
With more than one in 30 people in the UK experiencing some degree of sight loss, the ripple effects of this initiative are far-reaching. Not only is it making football more accessible, but it’s also showing the wider world how innovation in technology can create real, meaningful change for people with disabilities. By embracing emerging technologies like private 5G networks and assistive devices such as GiveVision, we can reshape the future of sports and entertainment venues, making them truly inclusive spaces for all.
Moreover, this initiative goes beyond just the practical benefits of sight-enhancement technology. It also fosters a culture of inclusivity within the football community. Fans with visual impairments, who were once marginalised in terms of stadium experience, now have the freedom to enjoy matches in a way that was never possible before. This movement toward inclusivity is inspiring other clubs and sports organisations to look for similar solutions to improve access for people with a wide range of disabilities, ensuring that the next generation of sports fans can all be included in the visceral stadium experience.
Technology's broader impact on accessibility in sport
While the project at Crystal Palace represents a huge leap forward, it also serves as a model for broader applications in sports and beyond. The accessibility revolution driven by our private 5G network and GiveVision isn’t limited to football; it has the potential to be implemented across multiple sports and entertainment venues globally. Whether it’s basketball, tennis, rugby, cricket or live music concerts, the applications of these technologies can drastically improve the fan experience for those who have historically been excluded, ultimately creating a more equitable and inclusive world of sport and entertainment.
Looking ahead: the future of assistive technology in sport
As this project continues to evolve, I am excited to see how emerging technologies will continue to transform the sports industry. The success of our initiative at Crystal Palace is just one example of how technology can positively impact people with disabilities; undoubtedly, the potential for change is immense.
In the future, we hope to see this technology in every single sports and entertainment venue in the UK, allowing people with visual impairments to fully engage with the events they love. At Shared Access, we are proud to be part of this revolution and committed to pushing the boundaries of what technology can do to make the world more inclusive for everyone. The next step is to expand this technology beyond football and into other major sporting events, ensuring that fans in arenas and stadiums around the world can fully enjoy the sports they cherish.
At the same time, the broader accessibility movement in sports is likely to spark increased collaboration between tech companies, sports organisations and advocacy groups for people with disabilities. This will ensure that accessibility remains a top priority, leading to more innovations that will improve the lives of millions of people globally.
In conclusion, we stand at the cusp of a new era in sports accessibility. Through collaboration, innovation and technology, we are on the path to creating more inclusive sporting experiences for all. With the success of the Crystal Palace FC/Shared Access/GiveVision initiative, we are now witnessing the future of accessible sport unfolding before our eyes.
