CAFE has published a report of our research project into access and inclusion for non-visibly disabled spectators and spectators with long-term health conditions. 

Approximately 70% of disabled people are non-visibly disabled. Non-visible disabilities and conditions are not always instantly noticeable to others. This can be because they are not physical, or the person does not evidently use any assistive technology or equipment. Like other disabled people, non-visibly disabled people are disabled by the environment around them.

However, most existing accessibility recommendations within football and wider society reflect the access requirements of visibly disabled people. To address this gap, CAFE conducted a survey of non-visibly disabled people and people with long-term health conditions between April and June 2020.

The publication of this report coincides with International Day of Disabled People 2020. This year’s theme is ‘not all disabilities are visible’, helping to raise further awareness and understanding of non-visibly disabled people and people with long-tern health conditions.

277 people participated in the survey from 21 countries, representing 70 football clubs.

The CAFE survey of non-visibly disabled people and people with long-term health conditions is the first of its kind within stadium accessibility. The statistics gained from the survey are not intended to characterise all European spectators with non-visible disabilities or conditions but are used to offer an insight into the experiences of fans previously overlooked in access considerations. 

The key recommendations in this summary report demonstrate that improving access and inclusion is achievable and realistic across all levels of European football. It has been fantastic to see that many clubs are already considering the access requirements of their non-visibly disabled fans and fans with long-term health conditions.

CAFE Research Officer lsobel Robins, who has managed the project and worked closely with our Expert Working Group, said, “This has been a unique and enlightening research project to be a part of, and we are so grateful to everyone who took part in the survey and shared their experiences. Through the publication of this report, we hope that stakeholders across the game will reflect on how they support non-visibly disabled fans and fans with long-term health conditions, and put measures in place to ensure an equal, inclusive matchday experience for all”.

CAFE hopes that the survey findings will urge more clubs across Europe to commit to making their matchday experience accessible to all, allowing football to once again set best practice standards in accessibility.

Download the Access and inclusion for non-visibly disabled spectators and spectators with long-term health conditions Summary Report.

Download the Summary Report (Word version).

Download the Summary Report (Easy-to-read version).

To find out how these recommendations make the matchday journey more accessible for non-visibly disabled fans and fans with long-term health conditions and for more detailed analysis and ideas, please read the CAFE report: Access and inclusion for non-visibly disabled spectators and spectators with long-term health conditions.

CAFE would like to thank all of the survey participants and the Expert Working Group which included: Poppy Ellis Logan (Attention UK), Libby Herbert (Colostomy UK), Soufiane El Amrani (Inclusion Europe), Cormac Coyle (Inspire), Daniel Townley (Level Playing Field), Nicky Baker (Level Playing Field), and Olga Kotova (Perspektiva).

Published 03/12/2020