Hearing the roar of a crowd in a packed stadium is part of the allure of attending sports games, and the Newcastle United team developed a sensory shirt for deaf fans to “feel” the energy themselves. The shirt was developed with the Royal National Institute for Deaf People to make football games accessible and enjoyable for those with hearing loss. Microphones were installed in Newcastle United’s stadium that convert noise via haptic technology into touch sensations for those wearing the shirts. Deaf fans have been testing the shirts during recent Newcastle matches, and they confirmed that the shirt helps them feel included in the crowd. Newcastle will now offer the sensory shirts at all home games, and is encouraging other teams to follow suit.
Image via Positive News
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