Strictly Come Dancing makes big change for most accessible season ever

As a long-time follower of Strictly Come Dancing and an advocate for inclusivity in media, I must say that this year’s announcement has left me absolutely thrilled! The inclusion of live signing is a giant leap forward in making the show accessible to a wider audience.


As the 20th anniversary of Strictly Come Dancing approaches this year, organizers have revealed that significant improvements have been implemented to make this season more accessible than ever before.

2021’s event will offer a new feature – live signing – for the very first time. You can access it via BBC iPlayer or through the red button.

I’m excited to add this accessibility feature to our offerings, which already includes audio description and subtitling from past years. This means that more people can now participate, cast their votes, and immerse themselves in the action during our Saturday night live shows, Sunday results shows, launch episodes, Christmas specials, and the upcoming 20th anniversary program.

In her statement, Kate Phillips, head of unscripted programs at the BBC, expressed that “Strictly Come Dancing” has consistently been a leader in promoting inclusivity and representation. She’s thrilled to announce that their 20th anniversary season will be the most accessible for viewers than any other before it.

Phillips explained: “By adding live signing, in addition to audio descriptions and captions, we provide a wider range of accessibility features than ever before. This allows everyone to join us in enjoying the excitement and elegance of our weekend shows.”

“We’re kicking off something wonderful for our upcoming British Sign Language (BSL) season next year. It includes unique content and digital tools designed to showcase the beautiful language of BSL.”

The BBC will carry on emphasizing British Sign Language in the coming year by starting a BSL-themed season designed to honor BSL and remove obstacles.

As a former deaf educator with years of experience teaching American Sign Language (ASL), I am thrilled to share that this new initiative will provide comprehensive resources and content across BBC platforms, including online tools and educational material specifically designed for those who wish to learn sign language. This is truly an exciting opportunity for the deaf community, as it will make communication more accessible and inclusive for everyone involved. I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of learning sign language, and I can’t wait to see how this initiative empowers both deaf and hearing individuals alike.

As a seasoned event organizer with years of experience under my belt, I must say that this year’s celebrity line-up is nothing short of impressive. With a diverse range of talents and backgrounds, these individuals bring an exciting energy to our event.

Additionally involved are Sarah Hadland, Montell Douglas, Tom Dean, Jamie Borthwick, Nick Knowles, Sam Quek, and Paul Merson.

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn.

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2024-08-22 17:35