Barcelona, Spain – Football club FC Barcelona pays tribute to the deaf community through a performance of the Barça anthem in sign language during a match. The game at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys served as a platform to celebrate International Week of the Deaf and International Sign Language Day.
A choir from the Barcelona Deaf Cultural and Recreational Center and the Barça Deaf Supporters’ Club performed the Barça Anthem in sign language. Before the match, deaf children from the club and the Catalan Association of Families and People with Deafness (ACAPPS) also accompanied the players onto the field.
The Barça Deaf Supporters’ Club created the word “BARÇA” in sign language to identify and promote the team’s name to all sign language users.
As part of the club’s 125th anniversary celebration, FC Barcelona launched a campaign encouraging fans to participate in the sign language version of the Barça Anthem. Players Jules Koundé, Marc Casadó, Sergi Domínguez, Jana Fernández, Marta Torrejón, and Ona Batlle, participated in the campaign.
This campaign was made in collaboration with start-up Visualfy, which provides solutions for deaf or hard-of-hearing people.
To further its commitment to diversity and inclusivity, FC Barcelona has also signed agreements with organizations like ACAPPS and ONCE Social Group and provided digital accessibility training for staff.
“This is the latest of many actions by the DEI department arising from an agreement with ACAPPS, a non-governmental organisation that aims to represent and defend the rights of deaf people who communicate orally, ensuring their full participation and accessibility in all areas of life,” FC Barcelona stated in a press release.
