INDIANAPOLIS — Visually-impaired fans of the Indiana Pacers will soon be able to experience live basketball like never before with a service that will bring the game to life.
Starting this season, blind and low-vision Pacers fans will now have access to live audio description for at least 20 different home games. Through a partnership with the non-profit MindsEye, this service will “bring every dunk, halftime show and Boomer moment to life.”
“We want everyone to feel and experience the buzz of gameday, which is really what makes Gainbridge Fieldhouse so special,” Pacers Sports & Entertainment CEO Mel Raines said.
A service first piloted during last year’s Pacers and Fever games, MindsEye will now offer visually-disabled fans the opportunity to listen to a trained audio describer relay all the information happening around them during a game.
“For example, during a break in play, a describer could relay information about team uniforms, antics of Pacers mascot Boomer, performances by the Indiana Pacemates and halftime acts,” a press release reads.
Audio descriptions will be available for the following Pacers home games:
- Thursday, Oct. 23 – vs. Oklahoma City Thunder;
- Wednesday, Nov. 5 – vs. Brooklyn Nets;
- Saturday, Nov. 15 – vs. Toronto Raptors;
- Wednesday, Nov. 19 – vs. Charlotte Hornets;
- Monday, Dec. 8 – vs. Sacramento Kings;
- Thursday, Dec. 18 – vs. New York Knicks;
- Tuesday, Dec. 23 – vs. Milwaukee Bucks;
- Friday, Jan. 2 – vs. San Antonio Spurs;
- Monday, Jan. 12 – vs. Boston Celtics;
- Friday, Jan. 16 – vs. New Orleans Pelicans;
- Wednesday, Jan. 28 – vs. Chicago Bulls;
- Tuesday, Feb. 3 – vs. Utah Jazz;
- Sunday, Feb. 22 – vs. Dallas Mavericks;
- Thursday, Feb. 26 – vs. Charlotte Hornets;
- Thursday, March 12 – vs. Phoenix Suns;
- Wednesday, March 18 – vs. Portland Trail Blazers;
- Sunday, March 29 – vs. Miami Heat;
- Tuesday, April 7 – vs. Minnesota Timberwolves; and
- Friday, April 10 – vs. Philadelphia 76ers.
“Being a part of the first of something is always cool, but nothing beats being a part of the first of something that makes something accessible,” said MindsEye President/CEO Jason Frazier. “Blind/partially sighted Pacers fans will now get to experience every element of Pacers gameday.”
For more information on the program or to sign up, click here. To buy Pacers tickets, click here.