Love Island announces brand new changes to improve viewers' accessibility

The new season is on its way!

Author: Charlotte RoszkoPublished 31st May 2023

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

Now read:

Love Island: Islanders confirmed for 2023 series

How to follow the Love Island 2023 cast on Instagram

Everything you need to know about Love Island

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