Bradford City is committed to extending football and the facilities at the Coral Windows Stadium to the widest possible contingency of supporters.This policy sets out the Club's intentions and procedures to ensuring the needs of all supporters are met. Bradford City welcomes any opportunity to discuss its facilities with spectators with disabilities in order to improve the facilities it offers and the enjoyment of spectators attending the Coral Windows Stadium.
Definition of disability
For the purpose of the implementation of this policy, the football club defines a spectator with a disability as being:
·An individual who is in possession of a valid Disabled Living Allowance (DLA) at an appropriate level.Under current provision this would include individuals who obtain the DLA mobility component at the high rate, the mid or high rate of the care element or the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement
OR
·An individual with a written statement from a qualified medical practitioner that he/she suffers from a condition that reduces mobility and/or requires assistance with activities that are relevant to attending a football match
OR
·An individual who is registered as blind
Please note production of the Blue/Orange badge will not be considered sufficient proof of disability.
The Club reserves the right to examine, copy and retain relevant copies of documentation that supports the individuals' claim to be considered as being disabled.
Facilities for spectators in wheelchairs
The Club offers a mix of areas for spectators using wheelchairs.These include:
·An area in the Upper Sunwin which is covered and elevated
·An area in the Lower Sunwin which is uncovered and elevated
·An area in the East Stand which is covered and at pitch level
·An area in the North Stand (Bantams Bar) which is covered, elevated and offers additional access to a licensed bar area
Facilities for spectators in wheelchairs supporting the visiting club
There is no access for spectators in wheelchairs in the segregated away section of the stadium at the present time.For each game, the away club will be informed of the number of tickets available to spectators in wheelchairs and similar details will be publicised on the Bradford City FC website.Tickets for spectators in wheelchairs must be pre-booked as there can be no guarantee of the availability of sufficient places on any match day. Applications can be made to the visiting club or to Bradford City FC on email at daviddowse@the-bantams.co.uk or by telephone on 01274 773355.
Concessions and reasonable adjustments
BCFC does not offer concessions to spectators in wheelchairs; all tickets are charged at the price appropriate to the stand in which spectators in wheelchairs are accommodated including, where appropriate, concessions for children and/or senior citizens.
Where a spectator in a wheelchair requires the support of a carer, a complimentary ticket for a specific seat near to the wheelchair position will be provided.The carer will be expected to provide any support required for the spectator in a wheelchair including assistance in the need for an emergency evacuation.
Spectators with mobility issues (ambulant disabled)
The same provisions as those specified to spectators in wheelchairs will apply to ambulant disabled with the exception that an area for ambulant disabled is available in the segregated area allocated to visiting spectators. Applications can be made to the Bradford City FC on email at daviddowse@the-bantams.co.uk or by telephone on 01274 773355. It is the Club's policy to allocate, wherever possible, seats close to stairways and vomitories in order to reduce the need to use stairs.
Spectators who are deaf or hard of hearing
No additional facilities are currently provided for spectators who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Spectators who are blind or have a visual impairment
No additional facilities are currently provided for spectators who are blind or have a visual impairment.On some occasions, it is possible for spectators who are blind or have a visual impairment to be accommodated by the allocation of a seat in the Press area that enables them to listen to an appropriate radio commentary.As with other types of disability, seats in the Press area will have to be pre-booked by contacting the ticket office by email at daviddowse@the-bantams.co.uk or by telephone on 01274 773355.No concession is made to the spectators with the visual impairment and the usual charge for the Co-operative Main Stand will apply.Where the spectator requires the support of a carer, a complimentary ticket will be provided for the carer.Provision can also be made for the attendance of a Guide Dog, where required, providing arrangements are made in advance with the ticket office.
Accessible Media
The Club is aware that it has an anticipatory duty to provide accessible information in different formats (e.g. audio tape, large print, Braille, electronic formats).Should supporters require alternative formats, enquiries should be made to the Bradford City FC on email at daviddowse@the-bantams.co.uk or by telephone on 01274 773355 three weeks before the date of the game, where staff will be pleased to discuss how these might be made available.
Accessible websites
The official Bradford City FC website is provided by Premium TV.Discussions are ongoing to make the site more accessible for visually impaired supporters who use text based browsers.
The Club's site - www.bradfordcity.co.uk - has a separate page that is intended to provide easier access to information that is specific to disability matters.In addition, a useful site for disabled supporter to find out about facilities at grounds across the country can be found at www.nads.org.uk
Family sections
At the present time, Bradford City FC does not have a designated family area within the stadium.
Car-parking facilities
Disabled car-parking facilities are available to season ticket holders in the North Stand car-park and Rear Rock Terrace. Other car-parking areas do not offer natural access to the stadium due to the profile of the ground and its surrounding environment.Drop-off facilities are available on each side of the ground where, providing no obstruction is caused which might affect safety, cars may stop temporarily to allow spectators in wheelchairs to exit a vehicle before the vehicle is parked elsewhere.
Lines of sight
All areas in which spectators in wheelchairs are located offer good lines of sight.Most areas are elevated and positioned at the front of each stand, whereas the East Stand accommodation is pitch side.
Catering facilities
The majority of catering facilities offer, for the sake of security, high level counters.The Club makes reasonable adjustments to enable disabled spectators to access the catering facilities by allowing a helper to attend the game free of charge.In addition, stewards are instructed to monitor the areas in which wheelchair spectators are located to ascertain whether any additional help is required.
Accessible toilets
Each area of the ground offers toilets that are accessible to spectators in wheelchairs.On match-days, stewards and Fire Marshalls regularly check disabled toilets.A maintenance operative is on duty throughout the match in case any problems are identified.
Access to other facilities
All banqueting areas are accessible to disabled spectators.Access arrangements include lifts, disabled toilet facilities, etc
Disabled Liaison Officer
The Club's Disability Liaison Officer is a member of the Ticket Office staff, David Dowse. All enquiries should be made to David by telephone on 01274 773355. Any issues which cannot be rectified immediately will be referred to the Club's weekly Management Meeting.
Steward Training
After an initial induction, all stewards are registered for the NVQ Level 2 in Spectators safety.This qualification includes a module on disability awareness.The Safety Officer keeps a record of progress by stewards and the qualification is developed and accredited through Telford College.
Audit and accountability
Bradford City FC commissioned a full Disability Access Audit in 2010 by an expert approved by the National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS).This audit confirmed that the stadium provision for disabled supporters was adequate and highlighted further improvements that could be considered.These improvements will be prioritised and implemented as funds allow.
