ABSTRACT
The nature of accessibility for fans with disabilities at stadia • Accessibility to sport facilities • Recent legislative developments of accessibility provision at stadia and arenas in the USA and Europe • Design and operational principles as part of the holistic journey sequence approach to any stadium • Disability football policy and the disability liaison officer (DLO)
At the end of this chapter you should be able to: ■ Define and understand the core issues affecting fans with disabilities and their
access to stadia; ■ Understand the main legislation in different western countries relating to univer-
sal accessibility of stadia and the current accessibility standards for new stadia; ■ Understand the main demands of fans with disabilities attending events at stadia
as part of an ‘holistic journey sequence approach’ and how these demands affect operation within venues;
■ Identify the best practices in promoting access by fans with disabilities at European football leagues;
■ Describe the specific competencies, responsibilities and management skills of a disability liaison officer (DLO);
Accessibility – is a characteristic of urban design, buildings and transport that determines the ease with which various individuals and groups can experience the built environment. Accessible stadia guide – is a technical guide on universal design and access to sporting stadiums throughout Europe. Accessible stadium – is a stadium that complies with all regulations and caters for the needs of all types of fans with disabilities when in attendance at any event and/or at any venue. It ensures that all possible spectators have equitable access to the facility. Fans with disabilities – are, according to the (English) National Association of Disabled Supporters, any persons who, because of their disability or impairment, are unable to use ordinary stand seating without contravening health and safety regulations, guidelines or policy or where the club has provided a ‘reasonable adjustment or auxiliary service’ to enable those supporters to attend the venue. Holistic journey sequence approach to stadia – is an approach that comprises five major stages to systematically guide the entire sequence of events from the moment that fans with disabilities decide to plan a visit to any stadium, until they leave the venue. Universal accessibility and design for all – is a paradigm that goes beyond the notion of accessibility and seeks to ensure equal opportunities for all people, including those with disabilities.
