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Level Playing Field

July 2014 E-Newsletter
 
 
 

Welcome to Level Playing Field

LPF is a registered Charity in England and Wales which acts as a campaigning and advisory organisation to its membership and other parties across all sports.

Debbie Courtney joins LPF

Debbie joined Level Playing Field at the end of May as our Administration and Communications Officer. She has previously spent ten years working for the British Government-most recently for a Junior Minister. She has also worked for a Counselling Charity and for a Children and Families Charity. View Debbie's profile.


Arsenal FC Changing Places Facility

Earlier this year, Arsenal Football Club's Emirates Stadium launched the 600th Changing Places fully accessible toilet at the club's Premier League game against West Ham in April. Campaigns Assistant - Leroy Binns, officially opened the facility alongside Journalist and Presenter Alex Brooker, who is best known for his work with Channel 4 and its coverage of the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games.  


The Changing Places facility is just one of a number of continued investments Arsenal makes for its disabled supporters and forms an important part of Arsenal's equality and diversity campaign - "Arsenal for Everyone" which strives to ensure supporters, staff and everyone connected to Arsenal Football Club feels an equal sense of belonging. 

Read more


PADSA Club Committee Volunteer Award

Congratulations to Plymouth Argyle Disabled Supporters club committee who have been named Sports Volunteer of the Year at the 2014 Inspiring Volunteer Awards.The committee received the award at a Plymouth University ceremony which marked the conclusion of the 30th anniversary of Volunteers' Week. It recognises PADSA's hard work and commitment given freely on behalf of the Pilgrims' disabled fans.

Read more. 


Accessible Coach Travel to Away Games

We have recently received a number of complaints from disabled supporters who are unable to travel to Away games because they are told the official club coaches are not accessible to wheelchair users. 

A quick phone call around a few randomly selected football clubs across the Leagues and divisions has provided some worrying results. As expected, we had a mixed response with some clubs advising they do not provide away travel for wheelchair users because the contracted company doesn't have accessible coaches. We even heard of a Premier League club offering free away travel to supporters last season but this was not extended to disabled fans. 

LPF are concerned that disabled fans are clearly being disadvantaged and we would urge all clubs to speak to the department who has arranged the contract to go back to the Coach companies they are using as the coach companies are obliged (according to the Equality Act) to provide accessible transport. The clubs are also required to ensure that the third parties they contract, to provide such match day services, provide an inclusive and accessible service. 

If the coach companies are unable to provide accessible coaches then they should provide reasonable adjustments which could be hiring an accessible vehicle for any disabled customers etc. The clubs themselves may well need to help provide solutions as they are required to ensure that their suppliers are compliant. They cannot provide transport for their away non-disabled fans and not offer the same service levels for disabled fans. 


We recognise that there will still be occasions when the accessible travel spaces will sell out - just as with non-disabled spaces - but hopefully by reminding the clubs and the coach company of their duties under the Equality Act, they will ensure it is an option. 

Please get in touch and tell us about your travel to away games - share the good and bad experiences that you have had.  If your club does not provide away travel for certain groups of disabled fans, we'd like to hear why not. Send your comments to info@levelplayingfield.org.uk or call us on 020 8621 2403.


News in Brief

Momentum Magazine - aimed at the UK's sport for disabled people community-has published an article on Level Playing Field. Read the magazine online here.  

The FA have produced a Ramadan and Football Factsheet.

Michael Rice, Projects and Fan Liaison Manager at CAFE, recently took part in dragon boat racing at the World Corporate Games in Liverpool to raise money for Everton in the Community. Read more here

Plymouth Argyle DSA were recently presented with a cheque by Waitrose courtesy of their Community Matters Initiative Scheme. Read more here


LPF Access Audits

LPF provides a professional NRAC accredited access audit programme with an increasing number of clubs and venue owners commissioning an LPF audit. Read more information on an LPF Access Audit and how to commission one here


Just Giving

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


Our Sponsors

LPF would like to thank the following Sponsors for their support:

The Football Foundation

Bevan Kidwell

The FA

 

 


Contact Us:

Address: c/o CAFE, No.1 Olympic Way, Wembley, London, HA9 0NP

Helpline: 020 8621 2403

Email: info@levelplayingfield.org.uk

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