Challenge
Provide a solution to enable blind and visually impaired to enjoy barrier-free participation in cultural events in the theater.
Solution
Sennheiser MobileConnect is a flexible, bring your own device streaming solution that brings audio descriptions to the smartphones of the blind and visually impaired people and lets them enjoy a better entertainment.
Audio specialist Sennheiser in cooperation with Hamburg Department of Culture is providing its new MobileConnect streaming solution for use in two theatres in the city. This solution enables blind and visually impaired people to enjoy barrier-free participation in cultural events. In the Deutsches Schauspielhaus in Hamburg the audience was able to experience a premiere of a very special kind last December: For the first time, they were able to use their own smartphones to hear an audio description of the play “John Gabriel Borkman” by Henrik Ibsen, narrated by the German actress Nina Petri.
Around 3,000 blind people and around 40,000 people with a visual impairment live in Hamburg, and their disability means they can enjoy cultural events only to a limited extent. Following a decision by Hamburg Parliament in 2013, the city has now addressed this issue and would like to offer visually impaired people a better entertainment experience in theatres by providing an audio description of what is happening on stage. With its MobileConnect system, Sennheiser is supporting the cultural department’s plans as a sponsor and has equipped both the Altonaer Theater and the Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg with the new streaming solution. As a result, the audiences in both theatres can now listen to audio descriptions in real time on their smartphones. All they need to do is install the free MobileConnect app. “MobileConnect makes receiving audio descriptions child’s play. Listeners can simply use their own smartphone and are no longer reliant on renting a receiver. That makes life much more convenient for people with a visual impairment who want to enjoy a cultural event,” said Jörn Erkau, Managing Director of Sennheiser Streaming Technologies.
“The Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg and the Altonaer Theater are making a major contribution towards helping blind and visually impaired people to take part in cultural life. Due to the support from Sennheiser and MobileConnect, a total of five performances could be offered with audio description during the winter season,” said Culture Senator Prof. Barbara Kisseler. Karin Beier, Artistic Director of the Deutsches Schauspielhaus Hamburg is delighted with the new service: “It is the aim of every theatre to reach as many people as possible, and audio description takes us one step closer.” The audio describer at the theatre is the German actress Nina Petri. With its MobileConnect system, Sennheiser is supporting Hamburg Department of Culture’s initiative to enable all people to experience culture: “With MobileConnect, we are proud to be able to offer a technical solution that allows the desire for an inclusive enjoyment of culture to be fulfilled so easily,” said Erkau. In addition to MobileConnect, Sennheiser has also launched a streaming solution for cinemas. CinemaConnect makes it possible for cinemas to offer audio description, assistive listening and the transmission of audio content. The Abaton cinema in Hamburg has already been using CinemaConnect since May 2014.
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
