This disability awareness campaign is now in its fourth year with over 80 professional clubs taking part last year.
The campaign is organised by NADS and runs over a two- week period each season providing a platform for clubs to showcase their disability works in the community, and to promote their disabled supporters facilities and services.
NADS launched this year’s campaign at the weekend, and it will end on 5th April 2009. This gives each club the opportunity to showcase their disability projects and to promote their disabled supporter facilities and services to their local communities
This year's campaign focus is on disabled supporter facilities and in particular those for supporters with learning disabilities and difficulties.
People with a learning disability find it harder to learn and understand things than other people, and often find it hard to communicate. People with a learning disability should have the same choices and opportunities as everyone else. That includes being able to go to sports events.
NADS has also announced a joint publication in partnership with Mencap - "Making sports venues and stadiums accessible for people with a learning disability." Copies are being sent to all football clubs and County FA's as well as being available at
www.mencap.org.uk.
Many people will imagine someone in a wheelchair when thinking of disability and around one per cent of the population uses a wheelchair. However there are many types of disability, some more hidden, and each with specific access needs.
NADS LPF Patron, Sir Trevor Brooking, says "I am delighted that we are focusing on supporters with learning disabilities and difficulties for 2009 and I urge everyone to get behind this important campaign.”
