Blind and partially sighted fans will soon be able to follow every detail of a major international soccer tournament – live, in real time, and from inside the stadium.
The service, called Audio-Descriptive Commentary (ADC), is being fully integrated at this level of global competition for the first time, marking a historic step forward for access in sports.
What Is ADC?
ADC is live, play-by-play narration tailored for blind and low-vision fans. It vividly describes action, emotion, and atmosphere, not just what’s happening, but how it feels.
AccessibAll, an organization with over 15 years of experience working with global clubs, leagues, and federations to enhance matchday inclusion, led the push to bring in-stadium ADC to every venue in this tournament.
Who Are Sports Really For?
Live ADC challenges the assumption that disabled people exist outside of mainstream sports fandom. It reframes the idea of who counts as a “typical” fan, and asserts that blind and low-vision fans have always been part of the crowd.
Unlike individual or medicalized accommodations, ADC is a communal experience. By embedding it into the stadium, this moment reframes access as cultural labor – created by and shared among communities, not added on after the fact.
Bringing Disability Culture Into the Stadium
This isn’t just about communication, it’s about presence. ADC brings blind fans into the heat, chaos, and atmosphere of the match, live and in real time.
It makes disability culture visible and audible, woven into the collective soundscape of the crowd, not quietly, but at full volume.
Redefining Who Gets to Tell the Story
This initiative opens the door for disabled and non-disabled fans to become commentators, reframing authorship, voice, and who shapes the experience of the game.
It also introduces a broader public to something blind and visually impaired people have long practiced: using rich, precise language to navigate the world. ADC isn’t just an access tool, it’s a storytelling practice with the power to expand how we all experience live events.
How to Get Involved
Training is now open for soccer fans interested in becoming ADC commentators — no prior experience required, just a deep knowledge of the game. English and Spanish sessions available.
“This initiative is not only creating paid opportunities for new talent, but also providing firsthand experience and a platform to shape the future of inclusive sports media,” said Olivier Jarosz, CEO of AccessibAll.
To learn more or apply, visit AccessibAll here.
