Love Island 2023 have made some changes to increase accessibility (Picture: ITV)
Love Island has announced a new addition to their content, which will make the show more accessible for blind and partially sighted viewers.
The ITV dating programme will ask each islander to record self-descriptions, giving those who listen a chance to get to know them a little more. In addition, there will also be an audio description of the villa, and all these recordings will be available on the show’s YouTube channel.
The ten original islanders’ descriptive recordings have already been uploaded, and offer a detailed description of their appearances.
Molly Marsh begins by describing herself as ‘White, blonde, brown eyes and long eyelashes.’ She adds: ‘I’m petite, 5″2 and I have a few tattoos. I have a little starfish on my ankle and a palm tree on the back of my ankle, flowers on the side of my ribs, and a lightning bulb behind my ear.’
She goes on to list her piercings, describe her best feature – eyes, and how she likes to do her hair and make-up – beachy and natural.
The 21-year-old, who is the daughter of soap star Janet Marsh, also informs listeners that she likes to wear pops of colours, and can be expressive with her hands when she’s talking.
Each of the videos already has thousands of views.
Speaking of the positive 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 has been applauded by the Royal National Institute of Blind People’s broadcast and audio description manager, Sonali Rai, who added: ‘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.’
They pointed out that a ‘significant portion of TV programmes lack traditional audio description’, and 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,’ they concluded.
The channel will also make adjustments to the app in order to ensure it is simpler to use, and each episode will have subtitling available for the deaf and those with hearing loss.
Tyrique is part of the 2023 summer Love Island cast (Picture: ITV)
Last year, Love Island introduced its first-ever deaf contestant Tasha Ghouri, 24, and was praised by Royal National Institute for Deaf People.
‘Our charity and supporters are really pleased that another major TV show is featuring a deaf contestant,’ a spokesperson for the charity told Metro.co.uk at the time.
‘Representation matters and, as Rose [Ayling-Ellis] proved on Strictly Come Dancing, this can make a massive difference to the public’s understanding.’
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This year, 23-year-old Tyrique Hyde, is in the original line-up. As for what he wants his fellow Islanders to know about him, he told ITV: ‘That I’m deaf in my right ear. I’ve got a tattoo next to my left one that symbolises strength and power in my good one.’
The winter series’ runner-up Ron Hall, 25, was the first contestant to be partially sighted. He lost sight in his right eye after a football accident.
Love Island 2023 starts Monday, June 5 at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX
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