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Level Playing Field E Newsletter
www.levelplayingfield.org.uk

Welcome to the Level Playing Field  November 2012 E Newsletter

To join Level Playing Field contact us at: info@levelplayingfield.org.uk

International Day of Disabled People

All of us at LPF will be taking a few moments on the International Day of Disabled People on 3rd December, to look back at an amazing year for all sports loving fans with a summer that included the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics and UEFA EURO 2012 amongst the other many sporting highlights. We’ll be reflecting briefly on our achievements to date along with the positive works and projects now being undertaken by sports governing bodies and many of their clubs.

However, there is still much to be done before we can hang-up our proverbial boots and as such, we’re looking forward to a great year ahead with further progress expected on all fronts. Please watch this space for news – 2013 is certainly shaping up to be an incredible year for us all as we continue to seek a Level Playing Field for all sports fans.

TEDx Whitehall Women Event.

International Day of People with Disability

On Saturday 1 December at 1 More London Place, London, Level Playing Field Chair and CAFE, Managing Director Joyce Cook, OBE, will be speaking at the TEDxWhitehallWomen event on the power of inclusion (in sport). This event takes place in the lead up to the International Day of Disabled People on 3rd December and as such we hope that our topic will resonate especially well with its global audience.

It is a day of networking and hearing from inspirational women about their transformational journeys and the universal journey of the seven ages of woman. If you don't know about TED talks they're definitely worth checking out. They're based on the concept of ideas worth sharing. To find our more about this event and to register please follow this link.

LPF attend Disability Awareness Day at Leyton Orient

Students with Guide Dogs and trainers

 Level Playing Field were approached by Luke Culling from Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) several weeks ago about our getting involved in a project to help bring local students closer to their local communities. As a result on the 7th November, Level Playing Field assisted LOCSP in hosting a Disability Awareness Event.

Level Playing Field was joined by Guide Dogs and the National Deaf Children’s Society. The day consisted of a session by the NDCS which introduced the students to deaf awareness and British Sign Language. Guide Dogs also ran a session about the work that they do, the life of a Guide Dog and blind awareness. The third session was an around the ground tour which introduced some of the issues facing disabled football supporters when going to watch a match. That day was completed by the students presenting what they had learned in small groups back to the rest of the students.To read more about this event please follow this link.

Never About us Without Us – LPF is pleased to announce two new DSAs

We are delighted to announce the forming of two new Disabled Supporters Associations. Wolverhampton Wanderers DSA hosted their first AGM on Wednesday 28th November 2012 at Molineux, whilst Norwich City DSA will do the same on Tuesday 4th December 2012 at Carrow Road.

Level Playing Field has been involved in assisting both groups getting started and we are delighted to see them launched officially before the festive season. Both set of fans and clubs have been fully engaged in the process and are looking forward to working together to improve the disabled supporters’ experience.

For more information on the Norwich City DSA AGM please click here.

Please look out for additional info on our website on the DSA section for each of the clubs.

2012 Fans Awards

We need you!To coincide with the launch of our new website and logo we are revamping our Fans Awards to reflect our broader remit of representing disabled sports fans across a wide variety of sports. The Awards will now run on a yearly basis, and will be open for nominations from January to December each year.

So, here’s a reminder for you all to make sure that you nominate those who deserve to be recognised for their work. The nomination window for the 2012 awards is open until the end December, so get nominating! The award winners will be announced in the New Year.

It’s quick and easy to nominate just send an email to info@levelplayingfield.org.uk saying who you are nominating and why they would be a worthy winner. For more information please see: http://www.levelplayingfield.org.uk/level-playing-field-awards

Weeks of Action

Another set of dates for your diary. The LPF 2013 ‘Weeks of Action’ will take place from are from the 6th April 2013 to 21st April 2013. This campagin providesa real opportunity for clubs or organisations to highlight the positive work they do for their disabled supporters. Further details will be announced in the New Year, but do let us know what your plans are so we can help with publicity.

LPF Survey: Disabled People working in the Football Industry

Take our Survey!The FA are currently doing some research to find out how many disabled women who have previously played the game are now working in the football industry.

We - at Level Playing Field - would also be interested to hear about disabled men who have made the transition from player to working in the industry.

If you, or someone you know, has played and is now working in the game please visit the following survey link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3BFXJFB

If this is not accessible to you please let us know and we will send you a text only version. If you have any questions or would like assistance completing the form please contact us either via email on info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or by phone on 0845 230 6237.

Thank you for your time in completing this short survey. Please note we will be sharing the results of this survey with The FA who will use the information to help shape their future policy.

Has London 2012 changed attitudes towards disabled people? Not in Tanni Grey Thompson's world

Baroness Tanni’s recent news article resonated with everyone at LPF and we very much appreciated what she had to say.

“Legacy was an integral part of the bid for London 2012 and has been given as one of the main reasons for its success, but who, to be honest, ever really knew what it was meant to be? In truth, it is a bit of everything, and we can no longer avoid the discussion.”

If you haven’t read it, we’d suggest you do – just follow this link.

Fans Comments:

All fans comments have now been transferred to the new website. Below are some new ones.

To leave your own comment on a stadium you have visited go to our website www.levelplayingfield.org.uk and select the club/venues tab and click on the relevant club. If you require any assistance or would like some more information please contact us via info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or on 0845 230 623.

Roving Reports:

DSA Newsletters:

News in Brief:

  • Lancashire Lions- Cricket for blind and partially sighted people are looking for sponsors and new players if you can assist or are interested click here.
  • London 2012 Aquatics Centre installed swimming pool access system for disabled people see here.
  • Improving matchday experience for all at Exeter City see here.
  • New Audio Descriptive Commentary for blind and partially sighted football fans at Cambridge United see here.
  • I'm not a person with a disability but a disabled person see here for a succinct definition of the Social Model.
  • Guide Dogs UK Street Clutter Survey Results see here.
  • Barclays launches audio ATMs to find your nearest audio ATM click here.
  • Accessible Flying to download 'Your Rights to Fly' or 'up in the Air' click our useful links page.
  • Cutting Numbers Documentary Animation see here.
  • Wheelchair pool and snooker: Inclusive Sports see here.

Useful Website Links:

 And finally, keep in touch

LPF takes your views very seriously and we can and will contact clubs and organisers to make sure that where there are problems, these can be resolved - where things have gone well, we'd also like to give the appropriate words of praise as well. Your views, more than any, are so important to us.

There are a number of ways that you can get in touch with us and you can be assured that if you want us to treat something in confidence, we will respect that.

You can email us at info@levelplayingfield.org.uk telephone us on 01244 893 584 or 0845 230 6237, or write to us at the following address:
LPF, c/o CAFE, Regus House, Herons Way, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9QR.

 

Our Sponsors:

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For more information about becoming a member of Level Playing Field, please click here.

 

Make a charity donation online to support Level Playing Field works. Every donation (small and large) is very much appreciated:


 

Level Playing Field: c/o CAFE, Regus House, Herons Way, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9QR
Helpline: 01244 893 584 | 0845 230 6237

Email: info@levelplayingfield.org.uk | Web: www.levelplayingfield.org.uk

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