Rex Blind Parties

85 years of Audio Description provision at Scottish football matches.

[Rex Blind Parties @RexBlindParty]

As the Rex Blind Party enters its 85th year of providing live match-day #ADCommentary for visually impaired supporters, we've discovered that YouTube has a @SkySportsNews feature, originally broadcast on Christmas Day 2012...

https://t.co/XEd5iRAEqU

[Rex Blind Parties @RexBlindParty]

...and we're still going strong, all around the country, today!

[Jon Attenborough @JonAttenborough]

Everyone knows the story of Cathkin Park and Third Lanark, but did you know it was the first ever football ground to have audio descriptive commentary for blind football fans in 1937!?

In 1937, Rex Kingsley, a Scottish sports journalist and broadcaster initiated a service to provide live football commentaries for visually impaired fans.

The idea was sparked when Kingsley observed a man at Dens Park, Dundee, attempting to describe the game to two blind men. Recognizing the need for a more effective solution, Kingsley took over the commentary and later established the “Rex Blind Parties” to offer this service regularly .

The first organized Rex Blind Party took place in 1937, where Kingsley provided commentary for a group of blind men during a match between Third Lanark and Hearts.

The initiative quickly gained traction, and by late 1938, it had expanded to various football grounds across Scotland

[Rex Blind Parties @RexBlindParty]

All smiles, (before today's match!) at Ibrox, as John, Campbell & Nicola, from Kingdom True Blues Supporters' Club, present Peter, from @RangersFC Blind Party with a generous donation to kick-start our fundraising as we aim to upgrade our #ADcommentary equipment.
Many thanks! 😁

[Victoria Coren Mitchell @VictoriaCoren]

If you’re blind, vision-impaired or simply unable to open your eyes for reasons of hangover, then tonight’s Only Connect is for you! It’s up against a lot of other treats at 8 o’clock, but may be our greatest adventure yet.

Only Connect Sounds Special
8pm @BBCTwo

[Rex Blind Parties @RexBlindParty]

#ADcommentary teams in place for today's #PremierSportsCup Final at Hampden.
#CelticFC & #RangersFC visually impaired supporters can tune into their team's frequency for some incredibly biased commentary!

[Claire Forde @ClaireForde17]

Cannot believe that it was seven years ago to the day since I first attended the blind party little did I know that seven years on that I would still be attending the games and also be a member of the blind party at Scotland too.@celticVI @celticdsa @RexBlindParty

[Rex Blind Parties @RexBlindParty]

@JonAttenborough @HampdenPark Glad you enjoyed the match and our audio description commentary.
Pity we didn't sneak a win, but maybe we're saving that for next Friday!

[ADA Scotland @ScotlandAda]

Audio Description Association (Scotland) are excited to be providing Audio Description for @taylorswift13 at Murrayfield on June 7th, 8th & 9th.
If you have a ticket and would benefit from using the Audio Description service please email - [email protected]

[ADA Scotland @ScotlandAda]

Audio Description Association (Scotland) are excited to be providing Audio Description for @Pink at @HampdenPark on Friday 28th June.

If you have a ticket and would benefit from using the Audio Description service please email - [email protected]

[Jon Attenborough @JonAttenborough]

⚽️ 🎙️ Scotland is leading the way with 60% of clubs in the top 2 divisions offering live Audio Descriptive Commentary to their visually impaired supporters on a match day

We need to do more though and get this service rolled out to as many clubs as possible across the UK

Does your club offer this service on a match day? Comment below 👇

[Rex Blind Parties @RexBlindParty]

A little history lesson from one of our visually impaired supporters...
@RangersFC @EdmistonHouse @cafefootball #ADCommentary

[Rangers Football Club @RangersFC]

🤝 Rangers are proud to support @UEFA's initiative to champion the rights of disabled supporters.

💙 We recently held a sensory-friendly experience, welcoming fans with autism to the museum in a comfortable and accommodating environment.

👉 Learn More: https://t.co/mAd3HdfVSn

[Rex Blind Parties @RexBlindParty]

It's great to be back at home @ScotlandNT for #ADCommentary.
#SCONIR

[Claire Forde @ClaireForde17]

Had a listen to the edited part of the podcast so far and it sounds amazing so if you want to be the first to hear it please like and subscribe to “Clara In Conversation” on YouTube @des_clarke @HeartScotland @DavidTannerTV @GrantStottOnAir

[AccessibAll @AccessibAll]

This is amazing, thank you @AberdeenFC!

#TotalAccess | #AccessibAll

[Rex Blind Parties @RexBlindParty]

Audio Description Commentary for visually impaired supporters is available at Hampden.
Reply below, or enquire at the front door, if you require this service.

[Premier Sports @PremSportsTV]

VIAPLAY CUP FINAL DAY 🤩🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Rangers and Aberdeen face off later today with silverware up for grabs 🏆

Watch our live coverage of the game from 2pm on Viaplay Sports 1 📺

#ViaplayCup

[Callum McFadden @Callum7McFadden]

A dream come true appearing on @offtheballbbc today.

Thank you to Tam Cowan and @comedyray for their hospitality & the laughs.

Great to meet Billy Kirkwood for the first time too.

My book ‘Behind the Curtain of the Beautiful Game’ available to buy here: https://t.co/oFs2Pa8j2k

[Rex Blind Parties @RexBlindParty]

If you missed Callum's guest slot on today's "Off the Ball", it'll be available soon on catch-up...
https://t.co/0yB42o9Gi6

[Callum McFadden @Callum7McFadden]

📻 Some personal news.

Tomorrow I am going to be a guest on @offtheballbbc to discuss my book & all things football.

The show is iconic in Scotland & I have grown up listening to the show, so it surreal to be asked to go on.

I am grateful for the opportunity & I can’t wait!

[Rex Blind Parties @RexBlindParty]

@canseecantsee Lots of us provide AD commentary at football and other sporting events across Scotland.

[Rex Blind Parties @RexBlindParty]

For anyone planning a trip to Germany...

[AccessibAll @AccessibAll]

Accessibility tickets for @UEFA @EURO2024 are on sale now!

This sales phase is open until 14:00 CEST on Thursday, 26 October.

Read more: https://t.co/pF4dL3DBfK

#TotalAccess #AccessibAll

[Rex Blind Parties @RexBlindParty]

A great response from supporters...

[Rangers Football Club @RangersFC]

#RangersFC can today publish the findings of our recent Disability Equality Survey, a first of its kind published by a Scottish club.

Learn more 👇