Location
November 5, 2023
The inclusion of ASL interpreters at the New York City Marathon Opening Ceremony in 2023 was a significant milestone, allowing me to fully immerse myself in the incredible atmosphere. The dedication and proficiency of the interpreters left a lasting impact, for which I am immensely grateful.
Six-Star Deaf Runner
- Onsite American Sign Language Interpretation:
Provided a team of thirteen professional ASL interpreters for all major events including expos, course strategy sessions, and the race itself. Our responsive approach ensured additional accessibility requests were promptly fulfilled within a week, seamlessly accommodating an evolving agenda. - Accessible Media Services Promotional Content:
ICS collaborated with New York Road Runners (NYRR) to produce a signed and captioned video informing members of the Deaf community that the race was accessible. - Consultation and Logistical Support: Regular check-ins and collaborative planning sessions designed to optimize the logistics of accessibility services.
The TCS New York City Marathon is the world’s largest race spanning through the five boroughs of NYC. The mission of the annual race organizers, NYRR, is to provide everyone on the planet a reason, the means, and opportunity to run. ICS ensured the marathon achieved genuine inclusivity and accessibility as a global event.
Navigating to certain events proved logistically challenging on foot due to red tape and police blockades. ICS addressed this challenge by ensuring the interpreter team had pre-planned routes, scheduling their arrival 30 minutes before the start of their services to mitigate potential delays caused by obstacles.
Benefit One – Positive Experience for Deaf
Runners and Their Supporters
Accessibility matters for both Deaf runners and their supportive crew, ensuring full participation and enjoyment on race day.
Deaf runners performed at their best with confidence, thanks to access to all crucial race information and their hard work training.
Additionally, family members of Deaf runners were pleasantly surprised by the interpreting services that effectively addressed communication gaps witnessed at previous athletic competitions they had attended.
The spirit of inclusion not only enhances the experience for Deaf runners and their families but also fosters a supportive atmosphere for the entire running community.
Benefit Two – Excellence at Expos
Multiple Deaf runners expressed their admiration
for the inclusion of interpreters, not only during the race but also at the expos.
Expos offer valuable opportunities to connect with resources and engage with the running community.
Additionally, an accessibility services booth was set up in the convention building, fostering an inclusive experience by ensuring that interpreters were readily available and easy to find.
Benefit Three – Showcased an Inclusive Brand
ICS Accessible Media Services (AMS) created social media video content to welcome Deaf Community runners before the marathon.
The comprehensive accessibility services provided both before and after the event further solidified NYRR as an inclusive global brand.