Excellence in Innovation

Summary of work

AccessLOOP is a one-of-a-kind, innovative tool for adding accessibility to livestreams and virtual events.
Throughout the pandemic many new events and streaming platforms have sprung up across the globe. With the whole world meeting and connecting online many audiences were left behind. Lack of captions or Sign Language means many deaf, hard of hearing and neuro-diverse audiences can't access or engage with online content. This has led to these groups being isolated and excluded from much of the work, social and live entertainment content being produced during lockdown.
Nearly all event platforms are inaccessible; event producers, access suppliers and production companies often lack the expertise to provide access online.
AccessLOOP has been developed by accessibility and livestreaming experts to produce a simple, easy-to-use platform that adds captioning and sign language to events. The platform simplifies the process for captioners and sign language professionals, putting the control of these back into expert hands.
The end result is a professional stream with good sized captions and sign language interpretation running alongside the event content. Deaf and hard of hearing audiences can now have equal inclusion and access to events on any platform.

Judges' comments

The AccessLOOP entry addressed an unmet and until recently, unrecognised need in an innovative way. It was well executed and provides a good example of the industry responding swiftly. The very positive customer response demonstrated the effectiveness of the solution to a clear problem. Finally, it genuinely provided access to people in need and has the potential to really move the industry forward.