A voice for blind supporters

Following a football match in the excitement of a stadium, feeling the energy of the stands and vibrating to the rhythm of the actions on the pitch: a universal pleasure, but still inaccessible for many blind supporters.

At the Abbé-Deschamps stadium, Ensemble pour voir wishes to remedy this situation by offering an audio description service dedicated to AJA fans with visual impairments.

Inspired by the initiatives already in place in stadiums such as those of Metz, Lens or Toulouse, the association led by Isabelle Pleux and Alexis Munoz, himself blind, is launching a fundraising campaign. Objective: to raise the €16,000 necessary to acquire the essential equipment. “Every donation counts, even symbolic. If each regular AJA supporter contributed €1, we could quickly reach this amount,” underlines Estelle Ferry, co-responsible for the project.

To date, despite significant support from the CPAM and possible donations (the AJA is enthusiastic about the project), the necessary budget has not yet been secured.

Audio description consists of retransmitting, in real time, the visual elements of a match using precise and adapted comments, describing the evolution of the ball, the actions of the players and even the festive atmosphere of the stadium. This service, already tested during the meeting between AJA and Guingamp in 2023, was a great success.

The device includes a mixing desk, a transmitter, as well as individual boxes and headphones for blind spectators. A technical solution that allows you to share the emotion of the stadium without depending on your loved ones, while promoting social bonds and inclusion.

Beyond the pleasure of following AJA matches, this project could extend to other disciplines, such as the Rugby Club Auxerrois or Phénix BAHM matches.

“This device is much more than a technical tool: it is a window open to the world, an invitation to participate fully in collective life, it helps to bring blind sports enthusiasts out of isolation . It creates social bonds. It serves as an example of inclusion,” insists Alexis Munoz.