Make your Super Bowl watch party accessible with these 6 inclusive gathering ideas
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The Super Bowl is right around the corner, and that means friends and loved ones across the neighborhood and down the street will soon gather for the big game. For the important people in your social circle who may live with vision loss, mobility issues, hearing loss, or other health conditions, however, sometimes getting acclimated to unfamiliar surroundings in large groups can be a stressful experience. Perhaps worst of all, what happens if the right accessibility aids aren’t in place for others to enjoy the action?
Whether you’re searching for closed captions, descriptive audio, or just want an easy-to-eat halftime snack, this guide has all you need to know to make sure your next big party is as inclusive and accessible as it gets. From minute details to obvious adjustments one might easily forget, here’s a rundown of a few key tweaks worth making to ensure all your guests have the best possible time.
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How to watch Super Bowl LVII with captions and descriptive audio
There are countless ways to tune into live broadcasts in 2023, but, when it comes to major sporting events, lots of folks will still be watching via subscriptions to major cable networks. Thankfully, all big providers offer easy access to subtitles and descriptive audio to help those with hearing and vision loss stay plugged in.
With that accessibility tip in mind, here’s a brief explanation of how to access accessibility features on many of the cable boxes and apps millions of Americans will use to watch the event. In the unlikely event our instructions leave you wanting more, we’ve also included links to support pages that contain more detailed information.
While we don’t necessarily think descriptive audio will play a huge role in the game since broadcasters will be narrating the action, and descriptive audio channels will likely be occupied by alternate-language tracks instead, working through these menus beforehand may still be worth a shot.
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Comcast (Xfinity)
On newer X1 boxes, captions can be turned on simply by pressing the microphone button and saying “captions” or “closed captions” into your voice remote. You can also hit the C button on your remote to quickly access the accessibility menu and select “closed captioning options” to adjust how captions look on your display.
For descriptive audio, provided there is any for the Super Bowl, just say “audio description” instead. If you happen to have an older box that doesn’t have voice features, this support page contains articles for everything you need to know about accessibility on Comcast.
Verizon Fios
On Verizon, you can toggle captions by hitting the CC button on your remote if it has one. You can also hit the menu button and select Settings > System > Accessibility > Closed Captions and choose the feed you wish to see.
To turn on descriptive audio, hit the menu button and go to Settings > System > Accessibility > DVS and toggle the feature on. This support page has more Verizon accessibility info for those who need it.
AT&T U-Verse
Closed captions can be turned on simply by hitting the CC button on your remote if it’s available. If not, press Menu > Options > System > Closed Captioning. Read more about closed captioning at this support page.
If there is descriptive audio, it can be accessed by pressing Info > Language. Press the down arrow twice to change the station language to Spanish. If descriptive is available, it will play on this channel. Find out more about AT&T descriptive audio from this official documentation.
Spectrum
To quickly toggle closed captioning, press the Options or Accessibility button on your remote, followed by the “1” number key. You can change how the captions look by pressing Menu > Settings & Support > Accessibility > Closed Captioning Settings. Learn more through this official guide.
To access descriptive audio, press Menu > Settings & Support > Accessibility. Turn Secondary Audio Programming on. If descriptive is available, it will play on that channel. Learn more about these features at Spectrum’s accessibility hub page.
Fox Sports app
If you’re casting from a mobile device, simply tap the screen during playback and hit the CC button. Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be descriptive audio features on mobile devices.
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How to host an inclusive, accessible Super Bowl party
Once the TV basics have been settled, it’s time to get down to the brass tacks of party planning. When trying to make an inclusive or accessible gathering with family and friends, it’s important to think with a common-sense mindset.
Many of the living space and culinary tweaks one would typically make for any party likely provide an accessibility advantage on some level, so don’t overthink it. That being said, we’ve come up with a list of five obvious and discreet adjustments that will absolutely show your loved ones just how much you respect their individual needs.
Braille labels
Provided you’ve got time to prepare, an amazing way to accommodate a guest with severe vision loss is to create Braille labels and place them where it makes sense. For example, if you’ve got dishes of food and want your guest to be able to independently discern what’s in them, you could put a label on or near the bowl.
This Braille labeler from Reizen ($45) is said to be good for sighted and blind users alike. We also reviewed the Reizen Talking Label Wand ($89), which may be helpful for users who aren’t brushed up on their Braille.
In most cases you’re not going to have an item like this on hand, but it may be helpful to buy one for next time if you have a recurring guest with a visual impairment who might appreciate the gesture.
Hassle-free foods
As someone who lives with chronic dexterity issues, having meals at unfamiliar houses can sometimes be a cause for anxiety. I worry about whether or not I'll be able to cut my food. If I can’t, do I want to suffer through the embarrassment of asking a friend for help, or should I just visibly struggle and eventually succeed once my food is already cold?
If feasible, it’s easier to cut out the middleman by introducing as many finger foods or knife-free dishes as you possibly can. There are limitless ways to do this. Focusing on snacks like Doritos and chips is a super-easy solution, and pasta is oftentimes easy to eat with a spoon. If you’re really in the mood for barbeque, maybe opt for pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwiches instead. Any foods that are inherently messy or tough to eat should take a back seat if inclusivity is your top priority.
Be cognizant of food allergies
In a similar vein, every good host should always know which food allergies their guests may have and plan around them. If possible, make appetizing dishes for all to eat that abide by your group’s dietary restrictions. If that’s absolutely not in the cards, have an alternative option in place so those with tailored dietary needs aren’t left feeling hungry or ignored.
If a partygoer has diabetes, for example, stock up on sugar-free drinks. If there are severe dairy, peanut, or gluten allergies in the group, do as much as humanly possible to exclude those ingredients from as many dishes as you can. Also be wary of cross contamination, as well. If you are cooking with an allergen, clean well and use different cookware when making an allergy-free dish. It’s always a bit awkward to talk food allergies with your loved ones, but it could actually be a life-saving conversation.
Extra chairs and clear pathways
Having lots of seating is an obvious accessibility benefit that helps everyone. Carefully placing chairs at key points in the house means guests with mobility limitations are always free to take a rest, and others may be more free to relax and congregate where they please.
In most cases, it’s as easy as placing folding chairs around open spaces. Buying a whole set can be a little expensive, but it’s a purchase you’ll always make use of if you plan on entertaining frequently.
Should you have any guests with walkers or wheelchairs, use common sense to ensure all pathways in your home are as clear as you can make them. Take special care to make an easy avenue to bathrooms, as more anxious guests may just wait till they get home if the journey is too arduous.
Be mindful and adaptive
Depending on a person’s mental or physical needs, it’s important to remember that sometimes something as simple as a night out can be a difficult task. That’s why, in general, it helps to be adaptive and understanding of a guest’s unique requirements. Given that descriptive audio will likely be nonexistent for the Super Bowl, for example, it may help to describe particularly funny commercials if the visuals matter. If you have a guest who struggles with anxiety, be warm and accepting of the possibility that they may want to leave at halftime.
Many folks who struggle with social engagements or physical activities may be shy or even feel guilty about asking for help or finding ways to seek relief. As their friend, the best thing you can do is be kind and supportive of these needs. If other guests are less accepting, cut that behavior off immediately. The more comfortable your guest feels at your place, the more willing they’ll be to come back again.
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This article originally appeared on Reviewed: 6 Super Bowl Party ideas and easy food for guests with disabilities
