Level Playing Field have been delighted by feedback from the first EFL Disability Access Officer Conference.
Disabled fans, organisations, Level Playing Field officials, club representatives and EFL staff shared their perspectives in panels hosted across the day, at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
The all-new conference forms part of the EFL’s ‘Together’ strategy, which was launched last summer, to improve equality, diversity and inclusivity over a five-year period.
The day headed up by Level Playing Field in Walsall featured guest speakers from Colostomy UK, RNIB and Tourettes Action.
Chief Executive of Level Playing Field, Owain Davies, said: “This conference was a fantastic opportunity to get disability access officers together, sharing best practice, challenges and the kind of insight they can only get from each other.
“It also gave us the opportunity to speak on key issues arising in the game and provide a platform for fans to share their experiences directly. Then we came together, to work towards solutions in a collaborative environment.
“Three other disabled organisations gave invaluable contributions, and it is important that clubs see this as the start of their conversations in those areas.
“We are thankful to the EFL for facilitating such a proactive day and to all the clubs in attendance. I now particularly look forward building on the success of the fan engagement aspect of this conference, as we see it grow in the coming years.”
The Disability Access Officer Conference was surrounded by a programme of events focused on other aspects of inclusivity across the EFL.
David McArdle, the EFL’s Head of EDI, said: “It was hugely encouraging to see so many Clubs represented at the first EFL Disability Access Conference, and it was insightful to hear from a variety of organisations about some of the challenges people face attending football and the learnings that clubs can implement.
“The attendance levels reflects how seriously clubs, and the EFL, are taking these issues and how committed we are to coming up with solutions to improve accessibility. We were delighted to partner with Level Playing Field, on the delivery of the conference and we look forward to building on this progress moving forward.”
Supporters can find the details for each EFL club’s disability access officers, on the Level Playing Field website.