Difficulty: Summiteer (level 3)

A pilot audio description service in Hong Kong helps visually impaired people enjoy sporting events. Offered by the Hong Kong Blind Union, the service promotes equality for people with disabilities.

The union said it has offered the service at 105 sporting events over the past four and a half years. Events included the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens Tournament and the Hong Kong Open Badminton Championships. The number of users who attended these events was over 1,200.

Audio description provides information about key visual elements in movies, TV shows, plays, and sporting events. This information is useful for visually impaired people.

The union said a lack of public awareness and a limited number of service providers meant it was still not popular in the local sector.

“In Hong Kong, people are more familiar with audio description in films and entertainment arts as well as dramas,” said Jackie Kwan Cheuk-yin, executive director of the union.

Kwan said audio descriptions have helped blind people enjoy football matches in countries like Britain. The union hoped to bring the service to Hong Kong for the benefit of local people.

Quiz time

1. How can visually impaired people enjoy sporting events?

2. What is an audio description service?

3. How many people have used the Hong Kong Blind Union’s audio description service so far?

4. According to the union, why is the service not yet widely used in Hong Kong?

Suggested answers

1. via an audio description service

2. it provides information on key visual elements of films, television shows, plays and sporting events

3. More than 1,200

4. A lack of public awareness and a limited number of service providers