We are delighted to be one of a select group of clubs chosen to work alongside Field of Vision, to trial a new product for visually impaired supporters as part of the EFL’s Innovation Lab.
Starting at next week’s league game against Bromley at Vale Park, we will be testing the company’s product, which offers a real-time experience that allows visually impaired supporters experience live sports independently and simultaneously with sighted spectators.
About Field of Vision
Field of Vision is dedicated to making live sports accessible to visually impaired fans, inspired by the challenges visually impaired sports supporters face at stadiums.
Their solution tracks ball movement and key events with minimal latency, instantly transmitting real-time data to tactile devices. Supporters interact with a magnetic ball that mirrors the live ball's movement, alongside subtle vibrations indicating events such as passes, tackles, and goals.
This complements existing Audio Descriptive Commentary (ADC), addressing limitations by providing immediate tactile feedback.
Port Vale’s Community & CSR Director, Will Turner, said: “We’re really pleased to be involved in this trial, which supports our ongoing efforts to make the club as accessible as possible for everyone.
“We’re looking forward to seeing the product in action and receiving feedback from those involved in the trial, including the supporters and volunteers – including two members of the club’s Supporter Advisory Board - who are giving up their time to support this initiative.”
The EFL Innovation Lab is an initiative designed to foster collaboration between the football industry and innovative suppliers, start-ups and scale-ups. As the first of its kind in the UK, this programme enables the league to drive innovation both within its operations and throughout the global football community.
Tickets for the game are still available, priced at just £10 in all areas of the stadium, with Under-12s free of charge! Visit port-vale.co.uk/tickets for more.