Rotherham United are proud to be supporting the Level Playing Field’s Unite For Access campaign.
Disability charity Level Playing Field is celebrating its annual campaign, ‘Unite for Access’. The campaign will run from Saturday 25 February to Sunday 12 March and aims to showcase the good work being done by clubs to improve accessibility and inclusion across in sport.
The Millers support the campaign and are getting involved to help its disabled supporters learn about Level Playing Field, understand what they do, what their aims are to improve accessibility and inclusion, and how they can assist disabled fans in the future.
Who is ‘Level Playing Field’?
Level Playing Field is a sports charity that acts as a campaigning and advisory organisation for disabled sports fans.
The charity supports disabled sports fans through the following channels:
Membership programme
As a user-led organisation, Level Playing Field members are at the heart of what the charity does. Their shared passion for sport and equality drives them to influence long-term change and improve the spectator experience for all disabled fans.
The Level Playing Field ‘fan’ membership is free to join, and includes the following benefits:
- Weekly ‘match day’ newsletter
- Quarterly ‘fan’-specific exclusive newsletter
- Invites to take part in events including forums and focus groups
- Official Membership Certificate
- It’s free to become a member
Other benefits include:
- Access to independent, expert advice and guidance on access and inclusion issues.
- Opportunity to feedback on access and Inclusion through LPF’s annual survey.
- Opportunity to network with other disabled fans, fan groups, and disability/sports organisations.
To become a Level Playing Field member, click here or contact ben@levelplayingfield.org.uk.
Active Level Playing Field initiatives
Level Playing Field runs a range of active initiatives and services for disabled sports fans., which include:
- The Level Playing Field podcast – A monthly podcast series with exclusive guests from across the sporting community.
- Have Your Say – We ask disabled fans for their feedback, whether it’s positive or negative, from their experience at live sports events
- Club Pages – Level Playing Field offers accessibility information for all clubs from the Premier League, EFL, and National League to help disabled supporters plan and enjoy their matchday.
Level Playing Field’s work
Level Playing Field works behind the scenes with clubs to help improve accessibility at sports venues to ensure disabled supporters can experience the best possible match day.
Common areas of improvement are sensory rooms, accessible toilets, audio commentary, and accessible club shops and food concession stands that include drop-down counters.
Areas of improvement can be highlighted by clubs through Level Playing Field services such as:
- Access Audits by NRAC (National Register of Access Consultants)
- Club staff training
- Expert advice and guidance
If you would like to keep updated with Level Playing Field’s work, follow them on social media.
Rotherham United’s Head of Supporter Services John Bird expressed his excitement at the newly-launched initiative whilst reaffirming the club’s historical and ongoing commitment to the work carried out by Level Playing Field.
“The Unite for Access is another step in the right direction when it comes to accessibility and inclusion in the football world,” he told www.themillers.co.uk.
“We will once again be committing to backing the fantastic work which is produced as a result of the new aims targeted as part of this brilliant campaign.
“Anyone that follows the club will be well-aware that we work closely year-round with Level Playing Field and with their help, have produced an environment at AESSEAL New York Stadium which we are incredibly proud of when it comes to the facilities we are able to offer to our supporters.
“With that said, we are always looking to the future and want to keep improving on what is an already very inclusive environment. Together, with the help of the Rotherham United Disabled Supporters’ Association – who offer us vital feedback on the areas which can be improved – and our Community Sports Trust we will endeavour to continue to ensure that our football club is as accessible to everyone as it possibly can be.”
Recent improvements at AESSEAL New York Stadium have included the opening of a Disabled Supporters’ Room which is now open prior to every home match and offers those with disabilities somewhere to socialise and enjoy light refreshments before games.
Beyond that, we have recently introduced Accessibility Passports for supporters with impairments which may not be immediately visible, to ensure that they are able to access the facilities that they require whilst in our company at the stadium.
All of the above has come as a result of numerous conversations with members of RUDSA, with Kerry Coleman – Chair of the group – reaffirming their backing ahead of the campaign’s launch.
“We will be supporting this campaign with the club as we do each year,” she told www.themillers.co.uk.
“We have seen significant improvements this season for the accessibility for disabled supporters wanting to attend the AESSEAL New York stadium and we will continue to work closely with the club and the Community Sports Trust to help with the continued improvement of facilities.”