'It's like the club reaching out to me personally'

We are delighted to once again support Level Playing Field's 'Weeks of Action'.  

Now in its 17th season, the campaign looks to shine a light on the positive work being done to improve access and inclusion at sports venues.  

With the suspension of supporters in stadia earlier this season, this year's theme focuses on the importance of live sport on supporters' wellbeing. 

Since Emirates Stadium opened in 2006, we have provided a free audio description commentary service for blind and partially sighted supporters inside the stadium.  

Quickly adapting during the early stages of lockdown, this service was swiftly moved online to ensure supporters could benefit from the specifically tailored commentary from home.  

"The commentary on this bespoke service is excellent and specifically caters to a virtually impaired audience – it's engaging, immersive and descriptive," explained regular user Elric Heslop.  

"The pre-match, half-time and post-match social element really makes you feel engaged with the club and the game and offers that social aspect in a time where isolation is a real threat. 

"For me, it's like the club is reaching out to me personally, tailoring a service specific to my needs. It makes me feel connected, cared for and valued by the club, and for that I am extremely grateful.   

"This is a club that clearly cares about its community and its supporters, even checking in on me on a regular basis during last year's lockdowns. It is really appreciated and so befitting and in keeping with the values that we associate with the Arsenal."

In addition to the audio description match commentary service, matchday programmes are also made available in audio format as a free podcast for supporters to download online.  

In normal circumstances supporters can socialise in the disability lounge ahead of matches at Emirates Stadium, as Arsenal fan and comedian Alex Brooker visited last year for his BBC documentary, Disability and Me. During the past year, this facility has also been trialled online.  

We have also recently shared our experience of launching a sensory room at Emirates Stadium with organisations across the sports industry looking to install similar facilities. Previously we worked with broadcasters NHK and the Good Bankers Association in Japan to support the development of a sensory facility at J1 League side, Kawasaki Frontale.  

As part of our on-going Arsenal for Everyone initiative, we are committed to ensuring Emirates Stadium remains at the forefront of access and inclusion so that all our supporters can feel an equal sense of pride and belonging to the club.