Celebrations of access and inclusion for disabled fans took place across the Premier League, EFL, Vanarama National League, Carabao Cup, Emirates FA Cup and beyond, in the opening weekend of Level Playing Field’s ‘Unite For Access’ campaign.
Representatives from the charity were pleased to join disabled fans at matches across England and Wales.
Level Playing Field Chief executive, Owain Davies, said: “On the eve of the campaign, I was pleased to be at Elland Road as Leeds United signed a working partnership with LUDO, the disabled supporters’ association.
“The following day, I headed to Eastleigh, for their match against Bromley where both teams were wearing ‘Unite For Access t-shirts to raise awareness and imporatant messaging on the impact the ‘attitudes of others’ can have on disabled fans was delivered in the stadium and via the TNT Sports team.
“I was then in attendance for the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley, where once again the national anthem was made accessible by a BSL interpreter wearing a Unite For Access t-shirt.
“That was just my view of a widespread start to the campaign and we are now all looking forward to what is still to come over this fortnight of celebration.”
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The momentum of the campaign will continue this coming weekend, with more teams set to hold dedicated match days for disabled fans, including in the Baraclays Women’s Super League.
๐ฃ๏ธ โ๐๐ผ๐ผ๐๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ถ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ. ๐๐ณ ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ต๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ฎ ๐ฑ๐ถ๐๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐๐, ๐ถ๐ ๐ฑ๐ผ๐ฒ๐๐ปโ๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐ผ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ปโ๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ.โ
Join us as we celebrate accessibility & inclusion for disabled sports fans! ๐#wafc ๐ตโช๏ธ | #UniteForAccess pic.twitter.com/HBZCI1Oh2o
โ Wigan Athletic (@LaticsOfficial) February 23, 2024
Non-visible disabilities were the focus of this year’s ‘Unite For Access’ campaign film, which can be watched here in various accessible formats.
To get in touch with Level Playing Field about Unite For Access, please email: info@levelplayingfield.org.uk