News article
MCC targets accessibility with BSL partnership
Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) believes it has become the first club to be fully accessible for deaf BSL (British Sign Language) users, thanks to a new partnership with SignVideo by Sorenson.
The MCC owns the Lord’s cricket venue in London, with deaf fans now able to purchase tickets, and gain information from stewards in the same way as those with full hearing.
SignVideo’s BSL video relay service service will enable deaf fans to easily contact MCC, to buy tickets or discuss memberships, while staff and stewards will be able to communicate on the spot through an on-demand video BSL interpreter via a mobile or tablet device.
Founded in 2004, SignVideo introduced the first videophone to deaf people in the UK, providing access to BSL/English interpreting through video conferencing. Now, SignVideo services include online video and face-to-face BSL and Irish Sign Language integrating across the UK, and in 2020, it joined Sorenson, a language services provider.
"We hope this partnership will open up the experience of Lord’s to those who previously may not have considered visiting.”
“Partnering with SignVideo is a very important step for MCC, as we continue to look into ways of ensuring that Lord’s is a ground for all,” said Stuart Dunlop, MCC’s Sustainability and Accessibility Manager.
“We are very pleased to become the first cricket venue to partner with SignVideo, whose service will make it easier for members of the BSL community to communicate with the club’s staff. We hope this partnership will open up the experience of Lord’s to those who previously may not have considered visiting.”
Sorenson Chief Executive Jorge Rodriguez added: “We are ecstatic to partner with Marylebone Cricket Club in removing language barriers for deaf cricket fans in the United Kingdom, creating communication access and inclusive participation for users of BSL.
“This means deaf and hearing fan journeys will be very similar, with deaf fans having access to real-time communication and assistance. This is an exciting breakthrough in creating equivalent experiences.”
Image taken from the video to announce the partnership, which you can watch here.