In a landmark move aimed at promoting inclusivity in sports broadcasting, Disney+Hotstar and Star Sports Network are set to introduce special telecast arrangements for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas, catering to cricket enthusiasts with hearing and visual impairments across India.
This pioneering initiative will feature Indian Sign Language (ISL) interpretation and audio descriptive commentary, marking the first instance of such services being offered during a T20 World Cup event. The inclusion of ISL interpretation and descriptive commentary underscores a commitment to enhancing the viewing experience for differently-abled sports fans, ensuring that they can fully immerse themselves in the excitement of the tournament.
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Anurag Thakur, Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs, and Minister of Information and Broadcasting, lauded the collaborative effort between broadcasters and the government, emphasizing its significance in promoting inclusiveness throughout society.
Great to see @StarSportsIndia @DisneyPlusHS @isigninghands coming together to provide Indian Sign Language and audio descriptive commentary during #T20WorldCup2024! This is an important step in line with GoI and @MIB_India’s vision for inclusivity #InclusionMatters…
— Anurag Thakur (मोदी का परिवार) (@ianuragthakur) May 16, 2024
The ISL feed will provide real-time updates alongside live stream translation, facilitating seamless access for individuals reliant on sign language. With approximately 63 million deaf individuals and 40 million visually impaired individuals in India, according to data from the World Health Organization, initiatives prioritizing accessibility in sports broadcasting are paramount.
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Sanjog Gupta, Head of Disney Star (Sports), commended the initiative’s successful implementation during the ongoing IPL and reaffirmed the commitment to introducing more such initiatives that foster inclusivity among all cricket enthusiasts. Similarly, Alok Kejriwal, founder and CEO of India Signing Hands, hailed the initiative as a significant step towards inclusivity, expressing confidence that it will broaden the reach of cricket within the deaf and visually impaired communities, thus enriching their sporting experiences.
