Wolverhampton WanderersFormer Wolves player Steve Bull officially opened the new accessible facility at their game against Chelsea earlier on in September, which contains equipment including sensory tools and games to help fans with special needs feel at ease during a busy and potentially hostile match day atmosphere.
The new sensory room is located in the Steve Bull stand, open to both home and away fans with valid match day tickets.
Disability Access Officer at Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, Laura Wright, commented on the newest addition of a handful of new accessible improvements, the sensory room:
“The sensory room will greatly impact those with sensory issues, so they have a choice where they want to go.
“We already have a family who want to book into the room straight away because their little boy couldn’t sit in the stands and was leaving before half-time. He came to the sensory room on Saturday and, for the first time, was able to watch the whole game, which shows just how important this room is.”
Ruth Hopkins, General Manager at Level Playing Field, said:
“We were delighted to hear about the opening of the Sensory Room at the Molineux. Wolverhampton Wanderers are the latest club to provide this facility for fans with a sensory disability and it means many more can now attend on a match day.”
Wolves have made a number of impressive changes in recent months to improve accessibility at Molineux. A new viewing platform was officially launched in the Sir Jack Hayward Stand to compliment the new disabled viewing area in the Steve Bull Stand, as well as audio description commentary for blind or partially blinded spectators making its debut.
The club are also the latest in the league to install a permanent changing places facility, as they look to make the ground more inclusive to those with additional needs. Located between the Stan Cullis and Steve Bull stands, the new facilities include a height adjustable changing bench for both adults and children, a hoist system and a shower, ample space for the disabled supporter and up to two carers, a centrally placed toilet with room either side, screens to allow the user privacy and a non-slip floor.
Earlier in the year, they also built low level serving counters in the club megastore and introduced ‘Autism Hour’ between 3-4pm every Sunday.
Level Playing Field’s Ruth Hopkins had her say on the handful of accessible changes made recently by Wolves:
“There have been a number of significant improvements for disabled fans at Wolves over the past few months and we congratulate the club, the DAO Laura Wright and the DSA on all their hard work in this area.”