QPR and Fulham FC Are Failing Wheelchair Supporters

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Charity says local clubs bottom of league with less than 25% of recommended spaces

 

Local football clubs QPR and Fulham are bottom of the league when it comes to meeting the needs of wheelchair supporters, according to a new survey by national disablity charity Revitalise.

The majority of clubs in the league fail to meet guidelines that have been in existence for over a decade, but the clubs in Hammersmith and Fulham, along with neighbouring Brentford came rock bottom with fewer than 25% of the recommended number of wheelchair spaces.

Revitalise has published its Accessibility League Table of Championship clubs, following the shock findings of last year’s investigation of accessibility at Premiership clubs, revealing that many are missing the mark when meeting the requirements of disabled supporters who are wheelchair users.

As the new season begins, the charity found that only four clubs in the Championship had the recommended number of spaces required for wheelchair users, according to guidelines that have been in existence for over a decade.

In Shepherd's Bush a QPR Club Spokesperson said: " We know this is an issue at Loftus Road but we have the maximum amount of wheelchair spaces we can have given the accessibility issues of a very old stadium. We have very few areas where we have step free access.

" As has been documented, the club has plans to move to a new stadium in the future and will offer excellent facilities that comply with all requirements."

At Craven Cottage, a club spokesperson said:"Fulham's ground and disabled facilities have been improved over a number of years. As we progress toward the building of a new Riverside Stand, we are looking to greatly improve these facilities further.”

Revitalise is using these findings as evidence that more needs to be done to accommodate and include disabled supporters as part of the match day experience offered to fans and is calling for Championship clubs to up their game and meet their obligation to disabled supporters as set out by the Equality Act by installing more and better facilities for disabled fans.

The charity is also urging the Championship clubs to comply with the Accessible Stadia Guidelines – as they already agreed to over a decade ago – or risk falling foul of the new law which could empower their local authorities to close them down if they do not do so.

Revitalise Chief Executive Chris Simmonds said: " Our study shows that for people who rely on wheelchairs, going to the big match might not be the joyful experience they had hoped for and it is down to the clubs to put this right.

"As we speak there is a new law passing though the House of Commons which will give local authorities the right to close stadiums down if they do not comply with the Accessible Stadia Guidelines. Would it not make good sense for the Championship clubs to do the right thing by their disabled fans now, rather than run the risk of losing their right to stage football at all?

"Disabled supporters have an absolute right to expect the same enjoyable, socially inclusive experience as every other fan and football clubs have a moral and legal obligation to provide this – so come on, Championship, get on the ball!"

 

Revitalise is a national charity providing respite holidays for disabled people and carers. Revitalise provides short breaks, with 24-hour nursing care on-call and personal support, at three accessible UK centres in Chigwell in Essex, Southampton and Southport. Each centre offers a wide range of accessible activities and excursions in a holiday environment.

August 19, 2016