NADS Welcomes Liberal Democrats’ Support

The President of the National Association of Disabled Supporters has today made public the charity’s support of the Lib Dem MP, Don Foster.

Foster, who is the Lib Dem spokesperson for culture, media and sport, highlighted in a statement on 8th August that the treatment of disabled fans in the country’s football stadia is ‘shameful’, and called for more help from clubs and the government.

Commenting on Don Foster’s statement, President for the National Association of Disabled Supporters, David Bernstein said:

“Mr Foster’s comments have come at a time when our charity is striving to even the playing field for all disabled supporters. My first action as President of NADS last month was to write to all club chairmen to ask that they review their disabled supporters facilities in line with the Accessible Stadia Guidance. ”

The findings recently published by the Lib Dems further endorse NADS own research (State of the Game report 2007). This follows similar support from the Labour party and is a further move to obtaining all party support. The Foster report specifically highlights the current provision for wheelchair users, however it is important that we continue to encourage equal access for all disabled fans.

David Bernstein adds:

“We are working with the football family and politicians to find good solutions and recognise the progress that has been made for disabled supporters. We continue to encourage equal access to stadia for all disabled fans. We have set out a plan for an independent audit of all professional clubs, along with the creation of a central fund to provide financial support to clubs in making the necessary improvements where required. The Lib Dem report demonstrates just how much still needs to be done.”

-Ends-

Editors notes

NADS – Fact File

1. The National Association of Disabled Supporters promotes a level playing field for all football fans and is a registered charity. Established in 1998, NADS is the only registered charity representing all disabled supporters. NADS objective is to promote an inclusive agenda and ensure equality of supporter experiences for all fans. More than 30,000 disabled fans regularly attend football matches in England.

2. In 1990 after assessing facilities for disabled supporters, Lord Taylor concluded that there should be provision for safe, spacious disabled seating with a seat alongside for a companion, protected from weather, accessible to disabled toilets and easily reached from a car park.

3. In 1995 the Disability Discrimination Act was passed by parliament. From autumn 1999, in became an offence to offer a service or provide goods and facilities, impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled people to use.

4. Football Task Force Report - 1998 - 'Improving Facilities for Disabled Supporters' - recommended improvements for fans of all disabilities in line with DDA, including views, shelter, access, toilets, refreshment bars, parking, ticketing and stewarding.

5. In 1999 NADS conducted detailed ground access appraisals of all league clubs looking at facilities and provision for wheelchair users, ambulatory disabled, visually and hearing impaired.

6. 2003-2004 - Publication of FSIF/FLA Accessible Stadia Guide – A good practice guide to the design of facilities to meet the needs of disabled spectators and other users which was imbued into Part M building regulations. ‘The guidance was published to help clubs undertake access audits to identify features which present barriers to people with disabilities and to develop effective solutions’ as recently described by the Rt Hon Gerry Sutcliffe, Minister for Sport.

7. In and around 2004, following recommendations from the football authorities and in anticipation of the DDA Part 3 additional duty, most clubs commissioned independent access audits.

8. NADS initiated the Level Playing Field (LPF) campaign in 2004/05. Football’s disability awareness campaign is endorsed by the football authorities with all professional clubs encouraged to showcase their disabled facilities and community schemes each season, around 80 clubs took part this year.

9. In October 2007, NADS published the State of the Game - Premier League (preliminary report) which was presented to the Parliamentary All Party Football Group.

10. Alan Keen, MP and Chair of the Parliamentary All Party Football Group tabled an Early Day Motion (Facilities for Disabled Supporters EDM 615) in December 2007. Many disabled supporters wrote to their MPs with 107 MPs signatures to date. The Minister for Sport wrote to the Premier League and Football League asking for their help in encouraging their clubs to ensure that the experience of visiting their grounds is equal for both disabled and able-bodied fans. Further to this, a number of related questions and debates have been raised in both the Houses of Lords and Commons.

11. NADS worked in partnership with the FA and leagues in delivering the first Disability Equality Seminar at Wembley in January 2008. Club representatives, disabled and non disabled supporters and the football authorities all came together to share areas of best practice and to discuss the challenges we still face.

12. In 2008, we were invited by the Football Association to consult on the FA Strategic 5 year plan on behalf of disabled supporters. The NADS Chair was also invited to a ‘one to one’ meeting with the new Independent Chairman of the Football Association, Lord Triesman.

13. Most recently, Danny Wallace ex-player for Southampton, Manchester United and Birmingham City has become the first NADS Ambassador.

14. In June 2008 NADS was called to give evidence on disabled supporter facilities to the Parliamentary All Party Football Group’s Inquiry into Football Governance.

15. NADS is run by volunteers with a Board of Trustees and advised by its Honorary Officers.

Tel. No. 0845 230 6237

Email info@nads.org.uk

www.nads.org.uk

PO Box 2909

Reading

Berkshire

RG1 9LD

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