Cricket goes inclusive: Indian sign language and audio descriptive feed for T20 World Cup

NEW DELHI: Hearing and visually-impaired cricket enthusiasts have reason to celebrate as official broadcasters Disney+Hotstar and Star Sports Network announce special telecast arrangements for next month's T20 World Cup in the Americas.
The initiative includes Indian Sign Language (ISL) interpretation and audio descriptive commentary, catering to the needs of deaf, hard-of-hearing, and visually-impaired viewers.
This groundbreaking move marks the first time that the T20 World Cup will be telecast with ISL interpretation and descriptive commentary, aiming to enhance the viewing experience for millions of differently-abled sports enthusiasts.
Anurag Thakur, Minister of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports, lauded the initiative, emphasizing the government's commitment to creating an inclusive society.
"This initiative will enhance the viewing experience for millions of differently-abled sports enthusiasts," remarked Thakur, highlighting the significance of promoting inclusivity in sports broadcasting.

Disney+Hotstar, as the first OTT platform to offer ISL for live cricket, reinforces its commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. Sajith Sivanandan, Head of Disney+ Hotstar India, expressed the platform's dedication to serving all users and ensuring that the excitement of cricket transcends barriers.
Sanjog Gupta, Head of Disney Star (Sports), hailed the innovation, citing its positive reception during the ongoing IPL. He emphasized the mission of serving sports fans through pioneering initiatives that remove barriers of access and engagement, fostering a more inclusive environment for all cricket enthusiasts.
The ISL feed will feature a ball-by-ball update with a live stream translator, while the audio descriptive feed will utilize voice-over technology to provide speech output for text and images.
Alok Kejriwal, Founder and CEO of India Signing Hands, commended the initiative as a significant step towards inclusivity, anticipating that it will introduce the exciting world of cricket to a broader audience from the Deaf and Visually Impaired communities.
According to the World Health Organization, India has an estimated community of 6.3 crore deaf individuals and four crore visually impaired individuals, highlighting the importance of initiatives that cater to diverse audiences and promote accessibility in sports broadcasting.
(With inputs from PTI)