The Accessible Interactive from Oche 501 Fun at blooloop Innovation Awards

Pioneering Inclusivity in Darts: The Accessible Interactive Oche

  • 3rd place

Project creator(s)

Entered into the following categories

Awards

  • Third place, Inclusion

At 501 Fun, our mission is to remain at the forefront of global Social Entertainment, and a cornerstone of this ambition is ensuring our products are accessible to the widest possible audience.

We believe that everyone should be able to participate in the joy of competitive socialising. With that commitment in mind, we are proud to introduce our latest innovation—the Accessible Interactive Oche.

The accessible oche is more than just a product; it’s a groundbreaking approach to making darts truly inclusive. The design features two dartboards—one at standing height and the other at a lower, wheelchair-friendly level.

However, what sets this innovation apart is the advanced technology that allows both boards to be used interchangeably within a single session or game. Thanks to integrated multi-system auto-scoring, players using either dartboard can enjoy a seamless experience, playing simultaneously without any need for manual adjustments or pauses in gameplay. This innovation ensures that no one is left feeling ‘other’—everyone competes on equal terms, allowing the thrill of the game to be shared fully by players of all abilities.

The Accessible Interactive from Oche 501 Fun at blooloop Innovation Awards

In designing the Accessible Oche, we wanted to go beyond removing physical barriers; our aim was to reimagine how darts can be experienced by everyone. The fluid synchronisation between the two boards ensures that wheelchair users and standing players can engage in competitive play without any disruptions to the game’s rhythm. This level of detail was essential in ensuring that the focus remains squarely on the enjoyment and skill of the game, not on the logistics of making it accessible.

We collaborated closely with our partners at Arrowsmiths, a key client in the UK, whose dedication to inclusivity matched our own. To ensure the design truly met the needs of wheelchair users, we partnered with Unicorn’s top paradart player, Vincent D’Hondt to launch the new accessible oche, demonstrating firsthand the inclusivity and practicality of the design.

The Accessible Interactive from Oche 501 Fun at blooloop Innovation Awards

This initiative represents a bold new benchmark for inclusivity in social entertainment. Where once there were barriers, there is now an open invitation for all to participate, compete, and enjoy. The Accessible Oche isn’t just about ticking a box for accessibility—it’s about setting new standards for what inclusivity looks like in our industry. By rethinking how darts can be played, we’ve extended the reach of social entertainment, ensuring that the experience remains competitive, exciting, and engaging for all players.

Partners

  • Dawn Clarke, Head of Electronic Leisure Mitchells & Butlers
  • Unicorn

Your web browser is out of date. Update your browser for more security, speed and the best experience on this site.

Find out how to update