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Disabled access at Premier League grounds improved after campaign

Disabled access at Premier League grounds improved after campaign

The Premier League have been under fire for several years for various clubs’ failure to comply with the Accessible Stadia Guide. For nearly sixteen years the organisation Level Playing Field has called for action, and in 2015 the Premier League agreed to get stadiums up to scratch following pressure from the Equalities and Human Rights Commission.

Though the changes were given the deadline of August 2017, fourteen of the twenty clubs currently within the Premier League now have the correct capacity of wheelchair spaces and designated facilities. Though this isn’t the success hoped for back in 2015, it is a significant amount of progress considering just two of the clubs complied two years ago. Step free access or a stairlift ensures that those with limited mobility can get to their seats while eighteen of the twenty clubs have installed special changing facilities.

West Bromwich Albion has been praised by Level Playing Field for its efforts:

West Bromwich Albion FC, for example, is a club that has made incredible changes for disabled fans since the pledge was announced. The club operates from an older stadium, but has still managed to meet the Accessible Stadia numbers for wheelchair users (Home and Away), installed easy access and amenity seats, provided additional accessible toilets, a state of the art Changing Places facility, a Sensory Room, accessible refreshment areas and new signage. This just goes to show what can be done and they should be congratulated.”

Though there have been some successes, the six clubs that have failed to comply are under close scrutiny. Chelsea is looking to incorporate their facilities into their new stadium, while other clubs such as Crystal Palace and Everton plead older grounds and construction difficulties for their failure to comply.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission are looking into legal action and have told The Guardian:

“We have met with every single Premier League club and are now in the final stages of discussions to agree on specific action they will need to take to avoid facing legal action. We will be publishing our report shortly.”

 

Image Credit: Elliott Brown

This news article is from Companion Stairlifts. Articles that appear on this website are for information purposes only.