Rytas Vilnius, together with technology company Interactio and the Lithuanian Association of the Blind and Visually Handicapped (LASS), is launching an initiative to make basketball games more accessible to people with visual impairments.
At the October 28 Basketball Champions League game against Trabzonspor blind and partially sighted fans will have the opportunity to listen to commentary specially adapted to their needs.
The experience will be powered by Interactio, a technology company founded in Lithuania that develops audio streaming and simultaneous interpretation solutions.
No special equipment will be required. Interactio’s technology will allow visually impaired fans attending games at Arena Vilnius to listen to a dedicated audio description feed using their own phone earphones.
Interactio CEO and founder Henrikas Urbonas says that modern technology makes it possible for everyone to enjoy sport, anywhere and at any time.
“I am incredibly happy about this partnership with Rytas and LASS. Technology allows people not only to experience the emotion and atmosphere of a game but also to understand what is happening on the court. I attended the FIFA World Cup myself, and it was there that I realised what it means for these people to be present and understand the action on the pitch. I am delighted that Rytas has taken this step and joined organisations such as FIFA, the English Premier League and the Olympic Games, which use our tools to make sport enjoyable for everyone who wants to experience it,” says Urbonas.
The specialised commentary will focus not only on the progress of the game but also on describing the action taking place on the court.
Through their earphones, fans will be able to hear audio description: a more detailed account of player movements, passes and other important moments, allowing them to hear what they cannot see.
In cooperation with Lithuanian voice-over, film and dubbing company Aktida, Aleksandras Kovganko (better known as Sania Banginis, a member of the rap group Freestarz) and experienced basketball commentator Žilvinas Aleksandravičius will serve as the eyes of the blind community, providing adapted commentary for the game against Trabzonspor.
The Lithuanian Association of the Blind and Visually Handicapped (LASS), which is supporting the initiative, works to increase the participation of people with visual impairments in social, cultural and sporting life.
LASS President Paulius Kalvelis emphasises that sporting events become more accessible to blind people when audio description is provided.
“Basketball unites everyone in Lithuania, with or without disabilities. People with visual impairments also want to enjoy a high-quality basketball experience. It is a welcome coincidence that, as LASS celebrates its centenary, a new project is being launched that will allow our community to experience basketball the way we would like to, with the quality we expect today.
Basketball culture is an integral part of our lives because it interests us, so we are delighted that Rytas and Interactio have offered us a more accessible solution,” says LASS President Kalvelis.
According to Martynas Giga, CEO of Rytas Vilnius, the capital city club’s games are, and will remain, open to everyone, and the opportunity to be part of the community must be accessible.
“Basketball brings everyone together; it is a place where people can find a sense of belonging. That sense of community does not depend on gender, race, nationality or disability. Rytas fans also have expectations: hearing us say that the club is open to everyone, they have looked for ways to include those who cannot see the games.
Commentary is currently designed for people who can see. Interactio offers a service that, together with Rytas, will help people with visual impairments experience the club’s atmosphere and follow the action. We often say that attending a Rytas game is something special. Everyone should be able to experience that, and this is one step towards making our community inclusive in the broadest sense,” Giga says.
Tickets for the games against Trabzonspor are available at Bilietai.lt.