We’re celebrating the inclusion and accessibility of all our disabled fans as part of the ‘Unite For Access’ campaign.
The Level Playing Field 'Unite For Access' campaign is an annual period of inspiration and celebration of good access and inclusion at sports venues. The 2024 campaign will run from Saturday 24th February to Sunday 10th March.
Did you know, that disabled people make up almost a quarter of the UK population and up to 70% of disabilities are non-visible and still many disabled supporters and those living with a disability feel that attending live sport isn’t possible due to the environmental and societal barriers they face.
Level Playing Field is the leading charity advocating for disabled sports fans in England and Wales, and we’re dedicating the Carlisle game to the initiative with a host of different activities.
As a club, everyone here at Swindon Town believes everyone should be able to attend live sports and enjoy football here at the County Ground, regardless of disability.
We’re committed to making our home accessible and welcoming to all, and will continue to take steps to improve, while also calling on you, our dedicated supporters, to join us on this journey.
How have we been raising awareness?
We’ve been spending time with some of our disabled fans and fans with disabilities over the past month to find out more about their County Ground experiences and what they like most about coming to matches.
The Football Club produced a video with insights from our Disabled Liaison Officer, Caroline Lane, Chief Commercial Officer, James Watts, and Chair of the Disabled Supporters Association, Lee Cahalin - plus four of our most valued supporters.
Meet Paul Clemm, one of our disabled fans who is a Season Ticket Holder, Paul has been a Swindon Town fan for most of his life. Paul has Cerebral Palsy, a condition marked by impaired muscle coordination - Paul talks about some of his favourite Town memories, Charlie Austin's header against MK Dons and how much singing they do on the disabled coach on away trips.
Disability Liaison Officer, Caroline Lane said: "It is important that as a club we make Swindon Town as inclusive as possible for our Disabled supporters and fans living with disabilities.
"As we continue to improve our facilities and raise our awareness and knowledge of fans that are disabled, living with disabilities or those that have hidden disabilities, we can make the County Ground a safe haven for all supporters.
"I will continue to work hard to be the voice between the club and the disabled supporters to ensure that each supporter feels that attending the County Ground and the football is seamless and accessible."
Meet Connor Wood, another life-long Season Ticket Holder - Connor also has Cerebral Palsy and talks about his experience at the County Ground, the barriers supporters in wheelchairs encounter, and how we can raise more awareness for those with hidden disabilities.
Chief Commercial Officer, James Watts said: "Swindon Town prides themselves in supporters being able to attend games at the County Ground, regardless of their disability.
The club is fully committed to making Swindon Town Football Club, accessible for all and we will continue to work hard with our Disabled Supporters to improve the facilities at the stadium creating an improved matchday experience."
Meet Alicia and Christine Davis, our Auntie and Niece fan duo - Alicia and Christine have both been Swindon Town supporters for as long as they can remember. Alicia talks about some of her earliest memories, more about how those with hidden disabilities find routine in coming to the football and how she expresses herself at the County Ground, while Christine talks about her favourite moments and player.
Paul Clemm and brother Gary Clemm, was also invited in to greet the players as they headed out for their warm-ups.
Lee Cahalin, Chairperson for Swindon Disabled Association said: "As Disabled Group chairman, I'm delighted that Swindon Town as a club are really driving to make the club inclusive of all fans, whether that be physical disabilities, hidden disabilities, or able-bodied fans."
"We are one fanbase and to have everyone included is great to see and can make a real difference."
Our players wore the official ‘Unite For Access’ shirts in the pre-match warm-up against Harrogate Town and Town fan Alicia Davis, who featured in our Unite for Access video, read out the team's line-ups ahead of that fixture on Saturday.
Spreading the key messages:
Talking about disability can be daunting sometimes, as it’s a complex subject matter.
That’s why Swindon Town invites all supporters, both disabled and abled, to engage with us on this important campaign and to ensure access and inclusion are at the heart of everything we do.
Good disability access benefits everyone, and that's why we ask you all to:
Unite for Your Team
Unite for your fans
#UniteForAccess
To find out more about the work of Level Playing Field, you can log on to www.levelplayingfield.org.uk, or find them across social media by searching Level Playing Field.
