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Posted on 26th February 2020
Level Playing Field’s ‘Weeks of Action’, which help highlight the positive initiatives undertaken by clubs, sporting venues and their governing bodies to improve access for disabled fans, will run from Saturday 29th February to Sunday 15th March.
The campaign, which has been running every year since 2005, will help showcase the work that is being done to break down barriers at sporting events across England and Wales, by improving the match day experience for existing disabled fans and providing opportunities for new fans to attend matches.
In partnership with the Premier League and EFL, the ‘Weeks of Action’ will see fans, clubs, disabled supporter associations and other partners hosting events and delivering new services, whilst also highlighting the work they do already.
Fans will be sharing their experiences and raising awareness of what is done and what can be done to make football even more accessible.
Level Playing Field Chair Tony Taylor said: “Last year was our biggest campaign to date, with more than 76 clubs from the Premier League and the EFL taking part. Our ambition is to exceed last year’s numbers and to continue push the positive impact of attending live sport and highlight what good work is being done already.
“As always, this campaign relies on the backing of the governing bodies and we are delighted to receive the support of both the Premier League and the EFL in providing the necessary resources for delivering this campaign.
“The campaign is an integral part of driving higher standards and tackling poor access with constructive solutions. We want more disabled fans attending live sport and having a better experience.”
Aneel Javed, inclusion manager at the EFL, said: “The EFL and its clubs are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible matchday for all and we are proud to support Level Playing Field and the ‘Weeks of Action’.
“It’s important to raise awareness around the challenges and barriers that disabled supporters face on a matchday and ensure we share best practice of what clubs can do help support and make it a more enjoyable experience for everybody.”
The FSA has been working with Level Playing Field on a project to improve access for disabled fans at non-league level, too, with a Disability Inclusion Charter offering guidance to clubs on how they can improve access at their grounds.
With the end of the pandemic in sight (sort of) the prospect of getting back into games inches closer where we can once again revel in the scintillating prospect of *checks notes* referees staring at video screens for several minutes and *checks notes again* professional footballers blazing penalties into the stands. Can’t wait.
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