Devon County Show leads the way in accessible event experience

The Devon County Show has announced plans to introduce British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation for the first time.
Scheduled for Thursday, May 16, this initiative aims to cater to the needs of the Deaf Community, ensuring that all attendees can fully engage with the events on offer.

Two BSL interpreters will work in tandem to provide sign language interpretation for various activities throughout the day.

From the Main Arena to the Countryside Arena, Deaf attendees will have access to live sign language interpretation, enhancing their experience of the show.

The signing in the Main Arena will be facilitated from a disability platform, while in the Countryside Arena, interpreters will be stationed to the side of the commentary box.

An exclusive area will be cordoned off in front of the interpreter, ensuring clear visibility for members of the Deaf Community.

The signing schedule for May 16 is as follows:

Countryside Arena:
14.00 – 14.30pm: Meirion Owen and his Sheep Dog Display
15.00 – 15.45pm: Police Dog Display

Main Arena:
16.25 – 16.55pm: Vintage Tractors
16.55 – 17.25pm: Double Harness Scurry
17.25 – 17.55pm: Heavy Horse Demonstration

Lisa Moore, the Show Manager, said: “The Devon County Show should be for everyone, regardless of their ability. We hope that this latest gesture, which for this year we are running as a test, will encourage more members of the Deaf Community to come to the show, as well as to feel more connected with the whole show experience. If the demand is there, we will certainly look at rolling it out to cover more features/days next year.”

To ensure the success of this initiative, Devon County Show is collaborating closely with Living Options Devon and the Deaf Academy to raise awareness before the event commences.

In addition to the BSL interpretation, the show is implementing various accessibility features, including a High Dependency Toilet Unit, dedicated accessibility stewards, and a Quiet Zone.

For further information about the Devon County Show and its latest accessibility features, including the BSL interpretation service, visit www.devoncountyshow.co.uk