Arsenal have become the first football club to provide a British Sign Language service at every home game.
The Gunners have been trialling the initiative, which involves the use of interpreters pitch-side and goal handshapes, in conjunction with the Level Playing Field charity’s Unite for Access campaign following work by the Arsenal Disability Liaison Team and Arsenal Disabled Supporters Association.
Arsenal also offer a signing service on their pre-match and half-time live broadcast for every home game.
Arsenal chief executive Vinai Venkatesham said: “Our mission is to ensure everyone feels welcome at Arsenal.
“The introduction of BSL at Emirates Stadium has been enabled by lots of hard work from supporters and colleagues and we’ll keep pushing to ensure all our supporters, whatever their background, can experience Arsenal in an equal way.”
The use of BSL at football matches has been growing, with the national anthem signed at Wembley ahead of the Carabao Cup final last month.
Deaf Arsenal supporter Christopher Clelland said: “This is a huge step for Arsenal and deaf fans, who can now enjoy the same access to information as other fans and be included in any pre-match discussions, interviews and special events.”
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Meanwhile, Ange Postecoglou has provided an injury update ahead of Celtic's next game against Hearts.
The Hoops will make the short trip along the M8 tomorrow at lunchtime to take on the Jambos at Tynecastle.
It's set to be a powderkeg fixture in the capital as the sides meet for the second time in four days.
When they played on Wednesday night, Postecoglou's side ran out 3-1 winners in the end on league business.
Tomorrow, it's the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup - a game that must finish and could go the distance if need be.
The Hoops will be looking to navigate their way around the difficult tie to keep their Treble hopes alive.
Robbie Neilson and his players will of course have different ideas, with trophy ideas of their own.
Daizen Maeda hobbled off injured on Wednesday after a collision with Zander Clark while scoring.
And Postecoglou has provided an update on the Japanese star.
He said: "The only issue from the other day is Daizen, who it’s fair to say has improved.
“He didn’t train today, he is still working with the physios but he has improved and I will see how he is tomorrow. It’s fair to say he is 50-50 for it. Everyone else is all fine to go.”
That means Greg Taylor will be back ready to go for the Hoops.
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