The second of the Football For All series of online talks takes place on 12 October, with a discussion on the works carried out by clubs across Europe to improve accessibility.

The talk, entitled, "How are European football clubs working to become more disabled friendly? – Inclusive practices in European Football” will be moderated by CAFE Project Manager Jochen Kemmer and starts at 1800 CET.

This webinar will also feature Celtic Disability Access Officer Alexis Dobbin, and Bradford City Disability Officer Jaimie Dorward. The online registration process to join the talk is open now.

Celtic and the club's disabled supporters association were the winners of the inaugural CAFE Collaboration Award at our 2018 International Conference in Bilbao. They have worked together on a number of projects to improve accessibility for disabled fans, including the installation of a Changing Places toilet at the stadium, the creation of new easy access seats and implementing inclusive matchday services such as audio programme notes from the club’s First Team Manager.

Alexis is also a member of CAFE's DAO Network Group, working with peers from across Europe to further develop the role of the Disability Access Officer.

Bradford City were also celebrated at the Conference, sharing information about the club's inclusive volunteer programme that supports disabled people in working closely with their club and gaining valuable experience. The club also has a proven track record in community engagement, and collaborating with disabled fans and other organisations to implement inclusive practices.

In partnership with CAFE, the Football For All Leadership Programme has organised a number of talks with leaders and experts to provide helpful advice and guidance to stakeholders across the game in improving access and inclusion for all disabled people.

The Football For All Leadership Programme aims to support disabled people in achieving their dreams of working within the sporting sector, encouraging change and wider awareness within sport of the important roles that disabled people can play.

Last week the first talk, "How can a stadium be accessible to disabled fans?", featured CAFE's Managing Director Joanna Deagle, as well as AFL Architects Senior Associate Rita Ochoa, and Matt McCann, CEO of Access Earth.

Other webinars scheduled to take place include:

19 October, 1900CET - "The Future of Disabled Football" - Terrie Ritchie (Inclusion Manager at Liverpool FC Foundation), Stuart Sharp (ENT Technical & Grassroots Director at US Soccer), David Stirton (Blind Football Project Coordinator at International Blind Sports Association), and Donal Byrne (President at the European Powerchair Football Association). Register online.

26 October, 1900CET - "How is FIFA working to make football more accessible and inclusive?” - Hala Ousta (Diversity & Accessibility Manager at FIFA). Register online.

2 November, 1800CET - “How can Inclusion be an open door for Innovation – A talk with innovators for inclusion” - Cathy Pearl (Design Manager at Google), Sarah Reinertsen (Paralympian and Athlete & Influencer Marketing Senior Manager at Nike), Miguel Neiva (Founder of Color ADD & Ashoka Fellow), and Peter & Kate Shippey (Founders of The Shippey Campaign). Register online.

16 November, 1800CET - “How are other sports promoting Inclusion” - Victoria Austin (CEO at Global Disability Innovation Hub), and Miroslaw Krogulec (Sports Director at Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia). Register online.

23 November, 1800CET - “How can we bring disabled peoples’ issues to the forefront of the conversation in sport and beyond?” - Eli Wolff (Paralympian, Director of the Power of Sport Lab, Founder of the Royce Sport and Society Fellowship at Brown University and Lecturer at University of Connecticut), and Kush Kanodia (Disability & BAME Rights Campaigner & Award Winning Social Entrepreneur. Visionary Leader of the unprecedented #NoWheelchairTax NHS Campaign). Register online.

30 November, 1800CET - “How has the Football For All Leadership Programme (FFALP) contributed to your journey – a conversation with past participants working in different fields” - Eduardo Maia (Assistant at the Health and Performance Unit at Portuguese FA and 2018 FFALP participant), Kieran Burns (Founder of the All About Ability Podcast and 2019 FFALP participant), and Thomas Hosier (Founder of INjoy Sport and 2018 FFALP participant). Register online.

Participation in the webinars is free, though the organisers would encourage any donations to cover the operational costs associated with hosting the talks.

For further information, please visit the Integrated Dreams website.

Published 12/10/2020