Welcome to CAFE
We start March's newsletter with a powerful statement made by music legend Stevie Wonder at this month's Grammy Awards: “I just want to say that we need to make every single thing accessible to every single disabled person” - well said Stevie!
FIFA reforms include disability as protected characteristic in prohibiting discrimination
At the FIFA Extraordinary Congress last week, reforms were overwhelmingly approved that will see disability included as a protected characteristic within its Statutes.
The reforms to Article 4, in relation to prohibiting discrimination, were approved with almost 90% of national associations eligible to vote in favour.
The new Article 4 reads:
Discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group of people on account of race, skin colour, ethnic, national or social origin, gender, disability, language, religion, political opinion or any other opinion, wealth, birth or any other status, sexual orientation or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.
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CAFE presents at UEFA HatTrick social responsibility workshop
CAFE Managing Director Joyce Cook recently spoke at UEFA’s HatTrick event in Nyon.
Joyce spoke to the attending national associations about the importance of implementing the new Disability Access Officer role, and was joined on stage by Croatian Football Federation Head of International Affairs and Licensing Ivančica Sudac. The presentation took the form of a question and answer session, with Mrs Sudac highlighting the many benefits of clubs appointing Disability Access Officers.
For more than a decade, UEFA's successful HatTrick assistance programme has had a positive impact on the development of European football. The new UEFA Hat Trick funding programme offers Football Associations a total of €200K over 4 years (€50K a year) for social responsibility projects from 2016 to 2020. CAFE would be pleased to assist member associations considering an application for an access and inclusion project.
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CAFE presents Disability Access Officer role to Croatian clubs
CAFE Media and Communications Manager Mike Rice recently travelled to Zagreb to present at the Croatian Football Federation's Annual Club Licensing Meeting.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the clubs of Croatia's top two divisions, and Mike spoke about the importance of the Disability Access Officer role. The role was added to UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play criterion in July 2015, and requires applicant clubs to appoint a Disability Access Officer to assist in improving stadium facilities and access for disabled supporters.
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Joyce Cook appointed to Board of Sports Grounds Safety Authority
Joyce Cook, the Managing Director and Founder of CAFE, is one of four new appointments to the board of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA).
The SGSA aims to create the conditions for safe and enjoyable experiences for spectators at all sports grounds in England and Wales and around the world. It provides trusted independent advice and guidance, and uses its experience and commitment to drive continuous improvement.
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Amy Wilson joins the CAFE team
We were delighted this month to welcome Amy Wilson to the CAFE team, joining us as Administration and Project Support.
Amy is a disabled football fan and has travelled across Europe watching live matches. She has previously been a member of the CAFE Advisory Group, sharing her experiences and knowledge with CAFE. Amy is also an experienced administrator, as well as her user-led knowledge as a football fan.
Amy is based in our London offices, and you can read more about Amy on our Meet the Team page.
Welcome Amy!
Barcelona University using football to help fans with Alzheimer's to recover memories
Universidad Autònoma de Barcelona is delivering a project in partnership with Líbero magazine to use football legends to help fans with Alzheimer's to recover memories.
Four specially produced editions of have as cover stars Laszlo Kubala, Alfredo Di Stéfano, Pelé and Johan Cruyff. Each issue includes short articles featuring key games and big personalities from across the decades, alongside exercises to help stimulate a patient’s memory.
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Young disabled fan wins Premier League club's Goal of the Month
A 9-year old disabled fan has won Everton FC's Goal of the Month competition for January 2016.
George Shaw, who has cerebral palsy, was invited to Everton's match against Swansea FC and entered the pitch to score at half time. George was shortlisted for the club's Goal of the Month alongside international players including Ross Barkley, Kevin Mirallas and Aaron Lennon. He won the competition, receiving over 86% of the total votes.
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Celtic invite fan with Asperger syndrome to his first match
Scottish champions Celtic FC recently invited a lifelong fan who has Asperger syndrome to attend his first live match.
Mark Horodecki, aged 33, is a passionate Celtic fan but had never been able to watch the team live.
Asperger syndrome is a form of autism, which is a disability that affects how a person makes sense of the world, processes information and relates to other people.
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UEFA EURO 2016 Access Guides for disabled spectators
Finally, if you are travelling to UEFA EURO 2016 you may be interested in our guides for travelling spectators.
CAFE's access guides provide access information around each host city, including accessible public transport and information on getting around each city.
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