Supported by the Borusan Sustainable Benefit Program: “VolleyVoice – Accessible Stands Project” removes barriers in volleyball arenas

The “VolleyVoice” project, a recipient of support during the 4th cycle of the Borusan Sustainable Benefit Program, enables visually impaired sports fans to follow matches in real-time, independently, and on an equal footing, through live descriptive technology and professional commentary.
 

The Borusan Sustainable Benefit Program (BSFP), launched by Borusan Holding this year under the theme “For the Benefit of Everyone” and which drew a record 538 applications, continues to back bold initiatives that offer lasting solutions to social inequalities. The “VolleyVoice – Accessible Stands Project,” which was selected to receive grants, mentorship, and capacity-building support in the program’s 4th cycle, integrates live descriptive technology into the high-paced environment of sports arenas, allowing visually impaired fans to become active and independent participants in the stands.
 

By providing real-time, professional commentary on match developments such as the position of the ball, player movements, and the atmosphere in the arena; VolleyVoice transforms visually impaired individuals from mere “attendees” into equal fans who can “feel” the rhythm of the game as it unfolds. Starting with volleyball, the project aims to extend this infrastructure to other sports, such as football and basketball, with the ultimate vision of ensuring that no sporting event remains inaccessible.
 

İbrahim Ünsal: “BSFP support has been a turning point for us”
 

The project’s accessibility approach encompasses not only the enhancement of the match-day experience but also the strengthening of technical infrastructure and institutional capacity. İbrahim Ünsal, Co-founder and Social Media & Reporting Coordinator at VolleyVoice, describes the role of BSFP’s support in the project’s development and outlines its future goals: "We needed a spectator experience that went beyond simply being present in the arena, one that allowed for a truly real-time, detailed follow-along of the game. BSFP’s support proved to be a turning point for us; it enabled us to both upgrade our technical infrastructure and expand our institutional capacity. Our core philosophy is clear: no sporting event should remain inaccessible. Guided by this vision, we have made 17 matches accessible since 2025. We aim to extend this inclusive model which we first launched in volleyball into a sustainable framework for basketball and football as well."
 

Nihan Cabbaroğlu: “Just as watching sports is everyone’s right, so too is the right to feel them.”
 

At the center of the experience offered by VolleyVoice is a professional narrative that can convey what is happening on the field at the right time and in detail. Nihan Cabbaroğlu, the Project's Communication & Narration Coordinator and Sports Announcer, expresses the meaning that this approach adds to both the narration profession and the match experience of visually impaired fans with the following words: "Television narration accompanies the audience, but describing the match to a visually impaired fan means bringing that action to life again with sound. Transferring the position of the ball and attack details without missing the one-tenth of a second tempo of volleyball has added a completely different meaning to my profession. Feeling as well as watching sports is for everyone." "Thanks to this project, my profession has turned into a tool that not only entertains people, but also touches their lives and provides equal opportunities in sports."
 

Bedirhan Güzel: “I used to mistake every round of applause for a point; now, I have full command of the arena.”
 

The difference made by professional commentary is most tangibly reflected in the experience of being in the stands. Bedirhan Güzel, a project participant and a sports fan who is visually impaired, describes how VolleyVoice has transformed the way he follows matches: "In the past, I would mistake every round of applause for a point being scored, and I would misinterpret what was happening in the match 90% of the time. Thanks to VolleyVoice and the descriptions provided by professional commentators, I now have a clear grasp of everything happening across the arena. I can fully immerse myself in the atmosphere because I understand exactly what people are reacting to and why. This project does more than just improve the quality of our match-viewing experience; it also boosts the self-confidence of visually impaired individuals by supporting their equal participation in social life."
 

The team that implemented and carried out the project
Nihan Cabbaroğlu – Communication & Narrative Coordinator
İbrahim Ünsal – Social Media & Reporting Coordinator
Ayşe Nur Çelik – Operations & Volunteering Coordinator
Elif Kain – Civil Society & Business Development Coordinator
For more information: visit volleyvoice.org
 

About the Borusan Sustainable Benefit Program:
 

Borusan Sustainable Benefit Program (BSFP), launched by Borusan Holding in 2022 with the goal of "a more livable world", offers holistic support to initiatives that produce innovative solutions to environmental and social problems.

With this program, implemented in cooperation with Impact Hub Istanbul, Borusan Holding aims to transform these projects into sustainable business models by providing financial support to initiatives with high impact potential, as well as mentoring, capacity building, training and networking opportunities.