Under the Customer Service Standards of the AODA, service providers must make their goods, services, and facilities accessible to customers with disabilities. Our last article outlined accessible features in sports venues, such as arenas and stadiums. This article will cover best practices for providing accessible information in sports venues.
Accessible Information in Sports Venues
Accessible Websites
Fans can use accessible computers or phones to read websites that follow Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0. More fans can find out about venues’ features, events, and services if venues post them on websites that are accessible. For instance, they should post:
- What games or concerts they will be hosting
- What accessible structural features they have, and where these features are located
- Whether they offer any communication supports for games or concerts
Signage
Moreover, signage is also important. Whether signs are large ones outside the venue or small ones on seat numbers, they should:
- Include detailed information for fans with hearing disabilities
- Use clear language or pictures for fans with intellectual disabilities
- Be at eye level for fans at wheelchair and standing heights
- Have large print and good colour contrast for fans with visual impairments
- Include Braille for fans who are blind
Communication Supports
Furthermore, sports venues can also offer communication supports to make games or concerts more accessible for fans with sensory disabilities. For instance, when hosting concerts, venues can offer:
- American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation
- closed or open captioning
- Assistive listening devices
Alternatively, for sports events, venues can offer live description of what is happening on the field, court, or ice.
Moreover, venue websites should explain how to access communication supports. For example:
- Which performances will be interpreted or captioned
- Which games will be described
- Whether fans can request additional interpretation, captioning, or description
- Where to pick up and return assistive listening devices, closed-captioning mirrors, or description headsets
Accessible information in sports venues ensures that all guests have equal opportunities to access services. Our next article will discuss how sports venues can provide an accessible service experience.