Home / News / NADS E-Newsletter - 02/05/09

NADS E-Newsletter - 02/05/09

02/05/2009


NADS E-Newsletter - May 2009
	Trustee Nominations The National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS), the only pan-disability supporter group endorsed by the football authorities, is seeking to appoint a number of new Trustees. We are seeking dynamic individuals with the right skills, experience and knowledge to play a strategic role in the continued development of an equality of supporter experiences within football. To download the application pack and notes, click here. For help with completing this application or for further information contact NADS on 0845 230 6237 or email info@nads.org.uk. Please note that you are required to request an application pack and return your completed nomination application by 5pm on Thursday 22nd May 2009. NADS endorses equal opportunities in all aspects of recruitment and working practices. We are particularly looking for individuals with experience and skills in the following areas: · fund-raising knowledge and experience · bookkeeping · computing, media and communications · research and data management · equality and disability legislation · building regulations and access · transport & access · disability awareness and an understanding of the access requirements for supporters and spectators, in particular those with; § learning disabilities and difficulties § mental illness issues § hearing impairments § visual impairments § ambulant disability Under the terms of the NADS Governing Constitution, Trustees need to be full paid up members of NADS. If candidates are not already members, they should join when returning their nomination form or before the closing date of applications at the latest. You should be aware that this is the first stage of your application process. If accepted by the Nominations Committee, you will be recommended as a nominated candidate to the members. A shortlist will be published prior to the AGM and the members will elect the Board of Trustees at the NADS AGM. It is anticipated that this will take place in or around the end of June 2009.
	Au revoir to Gary Gary Deards has decided to hang up his boots as the NADS Administrator after several years of dedicated toil at NADS. Of course we will miss him and his commitment to the Charity - thankfully he's not going far and plans to continue to play a role in NADS and our campaigns and works. So if you're interested and think you are the ideal candidate please see the advert below and get your application in asap. New NADS Administrator Part-time (25 hours per week) required: The National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS) is looking for a self-motivated person to join our Charity as an Administrator. The role focuses on supporting the NADS Chair and Board of Trustees in achieving the Charity's aims and objectives and applicants should demonstrate experience in fund-raising, disability awareness and an ability to be flexible as part of a small dynamic team. If you would like more details or wish to apply for the position, please send an email to info@nads.org.uk or telephone 0845 230 6237. You will then be sent a copy of the application pack including the Job Description and Person Spec. All applicants should return the completed NADS application pack with current CV either via email or by post and the closing date for applications for this position is 5.00pm on Thursday 14th May 2009. All interviews will take place at Manchester City Football Club on Wednesday 20th May 2009 with short listed applicants notified by Friday 15th May at 5.00pm. NADS is an Equal Opportunities employer. Previous experience as an Administrator and working on campaigns and diversity projects is welcomed. Reporting directly to the NADS Chair, the position is on a self employed basis (up to £17,000 per annum) working from home and applicants must be willing to travel across England and parts of Wales to meetings. Priority will be given to those located more centrally and best able to travel throughout this region.
	NADS Club Volunteer/Employee of the year 2009 presentation NADS were delighted to present Ipswich Town supporter and Disabled Liaison Officer, Warner Duff with the NADS 2009 club volunteer/supporter of the year award at the recent game v Doncaster Rovers. Warner said "I am extremely proud to achieve this award and look forward to continuing to work with NADS in the future".
	Premier League DDA Guidance NADS has recently received copies of the Premier League guidance for clubs and dealing with disabled supporters and customers. To check these out, click here.
	Independent Football Ombudsman Adjudication The Independent Football Ombudsman has recently adjudicated on a disability related case concerning Nott’m Forest's ticketing policy for disabled fans. The adjudication can be seen here and although it seems to remain somewhat unclear on the difference between concessions (ticket prices) and reasonable adjustments (provision of a free assistant ticket to enable the supporter to access the service), it does importantly recommend the standardisation of ticketing policies, calling on the football authorities to take the lead. NADS receives numerous emails about ticketing every year and welcomes the call for a standardised procedure which follows the requirements of the law and encompasses recent guidance (click here to see the guidance on concessions and reasonable adjustments from the recent FA DDA workshops).
	NADS and the Safety Officers Association NADS Chair, Joyce Cook and Vice President, Jim Froggatt were delighted to meet with Jim Chalmers (President) and Chris Patzelt (Administrator) from the Football Safety Officers Association recently. Both organisations and their members share a number of common areas of working and as a result the two organisations plan to work together more closely and strengthen their friendship and co-operation. Safety Officers play a crucial role on matchdays and in the safe running of football clubs and as such deal with any number of disabled supporters issues. Joyce said, 'We were delighted when Jim and Chris requested this meeting and the friendship between both organisations will be invaluable for disabled fans going forward.' Whilst Jim Chalmers said 'The FSOA looks forward to working more closely with NADS in the future since this can only benefit the members of both Associations and the game of football'.
	Latest News 1) All For One, One for All exhibition - A touring exhibition from the National Football Museaum about a disabled football fans experiences as he follows his team around the country will be at the Nuneaton Museum and Art Gallery from 2 May to 7 June. To read more, click here. 2) Equality Bill - The Equality Bill has now been published and contains a raft of measures designed to tackle inequality and help Britain become a fairer society by simplifying legislation, improving public services and extending protection to a wide range of groups facing discrimination. Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, today said that the Equality Bill will “remove the roadblocks to finding the talent to drive our economic recovery”. Full details on the bill, including an outline briefing on the Commission’s response, can be found on the EHRC website here. 3) An Independent Living Exhibition with a Difference - “Absolutely inspirational” that’s was the expression used by one visitor to last years Northwest Disability Awareness Day (DAD). Many of the record number of exhibitors and 22,000 visitors travelled from across the Northwest and UK. DAD 2009 will be supported by a week of complimentary events leading up to the exhibition on Sunday 12th July. The events will be held in a tented village located in the picturesque setting of Walton Hall Gardens situated off the A56 in Warrington Cheshire. Eighteen years of experience goes into producing an event that boasts something for everyone, with over 300 exhibition stands promoting independent living, with areas dedicated to Arts, Sports and family entertainments. DAD covers all disabilities, ages, carers and families, and if you work in the field of health, social care or disability there will be plenty to interest you. DAD offers a free and accessible park & ride service, free admission and programme. For more information visit www.disabilityawarenessday.org.uk or telephone Warrington Disability Partnership on 01925 240064.
	Visually Impaired News Arsenal in the Community have had a disability football programme for nearly 20 years. Thanks to funding from the Premier League they have been able to increase their work in two main areas: i) Adults with learning difficulties (we will recruit for these through the local organisations) ii) Adults and children with visual impairment They will be running football sessions for visually impaired adults and children (B2-4). Each hour and a half session will include training drills by Arsenal in the Community coaches and matches at the end. All coaches are F.A. qualified and C.R.B. checked and will be receiving ongoing training. The sessions will run fortnightly but not during the schools holidays. Sundays at Michael Sobell Lesiure Centre, Tollington Road, N7. Closest tube: Finsbury Park 11.30 am – 1 pm: Under 16’s 1 pm – 2.30 pm: Adults 3rd May, 17th May, 14th June, & 28th June These sessions are for partially sighted people (B2-4). For more information call Samir Singh on 020 7704 4158
	NADS Website - Fan's Comments The NADS website now has a section for each club where you can add your own comments/photo's - if you experience anything good or bad, please share your experiences with your fellow supporters. You'll find the 'Fan's Comments' box within each individual club menu. We appreciate some visually impaired people may be finding it difficult to add comments as you need to enter a code which some screen readers find difficult to cope with. We are working on a potential solution but in the meantime, you can always send in your comments by email to info@nads.org.uk or call our helpline on 0845 230 6237 and we will add your comments for you. By phoning the helpline we can still ensure your anonymity and of course by email we promise to withhold your name if you would prefer. Recent additions since our last newsletter include Huddersfield, Coventry City, Blackpool, West Ham, Stoke City, Norwich City and Hull City.
	European News The 2nd European Football Fans’ Congress (EFFC) 2009 will feature not only 10 workshop sessions on issues such as · Legislation affecting fans in football, · Kick-off-times, · Campaigning & Fundraising for fans’ initiatives, · Pyrotechnic articles in football, · Involvement of minority groups in football · How to increase fan ownership in Europe and a framework programme with plenty of social events around football but also the first democratic election of the committee as the main board of the network, the formal adoption of the statues and the final name for the European fans’ body. We don’t just want to talk at this event, we want to get things going further and elaborate substantial results and the basis for all our actions in the near future! Accessibility of the venue The EFFC venues are disabled friendly and we will do our best to accommodate special needs on the day provided we have sufficient advance notice. Please note that personal assistants of disabled supporters need to register as well to ensure they are catered for. We’re looking forward to welcoming disabled supporters and their personal assistants or helpers on the day. Further info and registration forms for the EFFC are on the NADS by clicking here and FSI websites at www.footballsupportersinternational.com Should you require any specific access needs in attending the event, contact info@footballsupportersinternational.com In July last year more than 250 football fans from 27 countries, from Norway to Israel, from Portugal to the Ukraine, came together for the first time to kick-off the formation of an independent and representative European network of football fans at the 1st European Football Fans’ Congress in London.
	Did you know that you can help raise money for NADS every time you search the internet? Visit www.clicknow.org.uk/NADS and start searching!
	Membership Join us today to get involved with NADS projects and campaigns and to help shape the future for disabled supporters as we continue to strive for an equality of experience for all fans. It’s easy to join – just complete the membership form and return it to NADS, PO Box 2909, Reading, RG1 9LD or by email to info@nads.org.uk. If you need help in completing the form or need alternative formats, please contact us by email or on 0845 230 6237. You can also pay online with a credit/debit card here and you just need to make sure you let us know the donation is for your membership. You can do this in the information box at Just Giving and we ask that you follow this up with an email confirmation to info@nads.org.uk.
	NADS are proud to be a pan disability organisation and we want to continue be truly inclusive and representative. Accordingly, we ask that you also encourage your friends and colleagues to join NADS and/or sign up to this E-Newsletter, by forwarding this email to them. Forward to a friend
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