Love Island announces brand new changes to improve viewers' accessibility
The new season is on its way!
Love Island will be introducing some changes to its latest series in order to improve accessibility for blind and partially-sighted fans. For the first time, Islanders will record self-descriptions in order to help blind and partially-sighted viewers get to know the cast better.
Self-description helps visually impaired people to learn key identity characteristics such as skin colour and hair length. The hit ITV2 dating show will also provide an audio-described tour of the villa, providing information on the show's key locations.
Both features will be available on the Love Island YouTube channel. There will also be some design improvements to the Love Island apps, in addition to each episode of Season 10 being subtitled.
Discussing the changes, ITV's Director of Accessibility, David Padmore, said: "We're always looking for ways to make our shows more accessible to our audiences. We hope that having these Islander self-descriptions and Villa tours available alongside the show will really help bring this summer's Love Island to life for our audience."
The move to increase accessibility has been welcomed by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). Sonali Rai, RNIB's Broadcast and Audio Description Manager, said: "By embracing self-descriptions on the next series of Love Island, ITV is demonstrating a great understanding of the importance of providing equal access to content."
She continued: "RNIB research shows that a significant portion of TV programmes lack traditional audio description (AD), often due to challenges such as limited pauses in which to add AD, so we welcome this creative exploration in enhancing accessibility for blind and partially-sighted viewers.
"This proactive initiative sets a remarkable example for the industry, highlighting the power of alternative solutions in creating an inclusive viewing experience for all."
Series 10 of Love Island will start on Monday 5th June on ITV2.
Take a look at the cast of Love Island series 10:
Ruchee Gurung
Age: 24
From: Sutton
Occupation: Beautician
Instagram: rucheewawo
Tyrique Hyde
Age: 24
From: Essex
Occupation: Semi-pro Footballer
Instagram: tyriquehyde
Molly Marsh
Age: 21
From: Doncaster
Occupation: Musical Theatre Performer and Social Media Creator
Instagram: mollygracemarsh
George Fensom
Age: 24
From: Bedford
Occupation: Business Development Executive
Instagram: georgefensom
Catherine Agbaje
Age: 23
From: Dublin
Occupation: Commercial Real Estate Agent
Instagram: catherine_agbaje
Mehdi Edno
Age: 26
From: Bordeaux/London
Occupation: Communications Manager
Instagram: mehdiedno
Ella Thomas
Age: 23
From: Glasgow
Occupation: Model
Instagram: ellathomas
Mitchel Taylor
Age: 26
From: Sheffield
Occupation: Gas Engineer
Instagram: mitcheltaylor
Jess Harding
Age: 22
From: London
Occupation: Aesthetics Practitioner
Instagram: jesshardingox
André Furtado
Age: 21
From: Dudley
Occupation: Business owner
Instagram: dre.furtado
Zachariah Noble
Age: 25
From: South East London
Occupation: Personal Trainer & Basketball Player
Instagram: zachariah_noble97
Whitney Adebayo
Age: 25
From: London
Occupation: Entrepreneur
Instagram: whitbrownsx
Sammy Root
Age: 22
From: Kent
Occupation: Project Manager
Instagram: sammyroot_
Charlotte Sumner
Age: 30
From: Bournemouth
Occupation: Dental Nurse
Instagram: charlottesumner
Leah Taylor
Age: 27
From: Manchester
Occupation: Business Owner (Social Media Marketing)
Instagram: leahjtaylorr
Scott Van Der Sluis
Age: 22
From: North Wales, Connah's Quay
Occupation: Footballer
Instagram: scottvds17
Mal Nicol
Age: 25
From: Edinburgh, lives in London
Job: Picture researcher
Instagram: mallurpaal
Montel McKenzie
Age: 25
From: East London
Job: Account Manager and semi-professional footballer
Instagram: montelmckenzie
Kady McDermott
Age: 27
From: Hertfordshire
Returning former Islander, series 2 bombshell
Instagram: kadymcdermott
Kodie Murphy
Age: 20
From: Birmingham
Occupation: Social Media Marketer
Instagram: kodiemurphy
Benjamin Noel
Age: 26
From: London
Occupation: Fitness Business Owner
Instagram: benjaminn_noell
Lochan Nowacki
Age: 25
From: Windsor
Occupation: Account Manager
Instagram: lochan_nowacki
Elom Ahlijah-Wilson
Age: 22
From: London
Occupation: Mssseuse and Fitness Trainer
Instagram: _truegains
Zachary Ashford
Age: 27
From: Manchester
Occupation: Senior Sales Executive
Instagram: z_ashford
Gabby Jeffery
Age: 24
From: Newcastle
Occupation: Creative Assistant
Instagram: N/A
Danielle Mazhindu
Age: 25
From: Liverpool
Occupation: Recruitment Assistant and Occupational Therapy Student
Instagram: daniellemazhindu
Amber Wise
Age: 19
From: Buckinghamshire
Occupation: Graphic Design Student
Instagram: amberwse
Abi Moores
Age: 25
From: Hampshire
Occupation: Flight Attendant
Instagram: abimooresxox
Tink Reading
Age: 26
From: Birmingham
Occupation: Project Manager
Instagram: tinkreadingxo
Josh Brocklebank
Age: 26
From: Essex
Occupation: Financial Advisor
Instagram: josh_brocklebank
Ella Barnes
Age: 23
From: Kent
Occupation: Championship Dancer and Model
Instagram: ellabellabarnes
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