DSA Newsletter - Dec 2023

Disabled Supporters Association Update

With the end of the year approaching, we felt it appropriate to bring everyone up to date with what is going on behind the scenes with the Disabled Supporters Association. We are endeavouring to make more frequent updates on our website but as volunteers (and on my behalf a bit of an unknown entity!) it has been difficult to keep it up to date with what we have been doing on behalf of our disabled supporters at West Ham United.

We have had two very successful “DSA Awareness” events at the London Stadium prior to matches, where, supported by the Accessibility Team we were able to hand out a lot of badges and information on the website. As a result, we now have over 200 signed up to the Association.

Premier League Fan Engagement Standards – Fan Advisory Board

We hope we can continue to grow this number. It is more important than ever to make sure the voice of those with accessibility needs is heard not only by our own Club, but the Premier League and UEFA, in order to continue to improve the matchday experience for those with all disabilities. This Season the Premier League set out the Fan Engagement Standard (FES), which requires all Clubs to have a Fan Advisory Board (FAB). West Ham already have the Independent Supporters Committee, with members representing different fan groups and we are now effectively evolving into the FAB model, working as just the ISC and alongside the Club, to ensure we have robust agreement in place with Terms of Reference and a Code of Conduct that will form an effective working relationship with the Club as the full FAB. Cathy Bayford, sits on the ISC and has been proactive, attending the meetings to see through the completion of the FAB paperwork. Further details about the FES & the FAB can be found on our website.

Shuttle Bus Service, Platform 13 – Ongoing works

As well as working with the ISC, we continue with our own communications with the Accessibility Team. The DSB CoChairs, Cathy Bayford & Trevor Bright speak with Julie Pidgeon, the Disability Access Officer, wherever possible on a weekly basis. This gives us the opportunity to feedback on any issues that have been raised by our members. Recent discussions have included the abuse of the Accessible Lanes, the configuration of the new “Gold Top” Disabled carpark and we were given the opportunity and more recently we have been included in the discussions with TfL on how the works and reconfiguration going on at Platform 13 are progressing. We are aware that there has been some disquiet about the facilities available whilst the works are ongoing, so to clarify –

The use of matchday temporary folding chairs are not permitted on the Station platform, for those waiting for the shuttle buses. Jubilee Line trains can be re routed to Platform 13 at short notice and the platform needs to remain clear for safety reasons (you will note that the adjacent café, removes their external chairs on matchdays) There are 2 lots of metal, fixed seating available in the vicinity.
The works are scheduled to be finished in the first quarter of next year and we plan to revisit and meet key relevant staff to discuss progress and implications for the shuttle bus service in February or March.
The overriding message is the safety of the passengers at the station and supporters using the shuttle bus service is paramount.

“Gold Top” Disabled Carpark

We previously mentioned the “Gold Top” disabled carpark. At the Stadium the Club currently offer around 60 parking places for blue badge parking. We all recognise that is an incredibly low for a Ground that holds 62,500 (and that looks to be increasing). The Government Stadia Guidance states Premier League Clubs must allocate 6% of their designated parking to disabled parking. At a Ground set in a designated green area our full Stadium parking allocation is around 250. That includes parking for Players, Coaching Staff, the Board & Corporate and the facilities staff (like the emergency electricians and similar service personnel) The sums behind this (so 6% of 250) would be just 15 spaces, so the Club are providing above the “required” number of blue badge spaces. It is frustrating and we continue to bring up the lack of disabled parking in the immediate vicinity at every opportunity. Other Clubs use the surrounding roads (e.g. Arsenal) with relevant parking restrictions adhered to, being used by blue badge holders. We are told Newham Council will not allow disabled parking within the road closure areas even if cars are in situ prior to restriction timings. Other Clubs also use local businesses and schools parking facilities, indeed as we were able to do at the Boleyn, however our neighbours at the London Stadium face the same limited available parking opportunities! However, we are assured the Club continue to research and explore possible solutions. We will continue to highlight how the lack of suitable parking impacts on our disabled fans.

Meanwhile, the current carpark is undergoing a re configuration. Whilst we understand some of the reasoning behind moving the facility from Carpark 1A, we were quickly able to report back to the Club the unsuitability of the area we were relocated to. Our rational was acknowledged and works are now underway to provide additional dropped kerbs and relocate the majority of the street furniture that obstruct wheelchair access and hinder safe vehicle manoeuvre.

With limited spaces, there will of course be a waiting list. This is managed by the Accessibility Team.

British Sign Language (BSL)

One of our other big projects this Season, is to promote the use of British Sign Language (BSL) on matchdays. We are aware that other London Clubs already have the provision is place, allowing the deaf and hard of hearing supporters to enjoy the pitch side entertainment and interviews.

This Season has seen the new, improved audio system rolled out at the Stadium and the Club have already made the commitment to now work towards having a full BSL provision at the London Stadium. Indeed, they have already met with one provider to discuss the best way forward. The Club have recently hosted the filming of an episode of TNT’s Sports show, Sign Up – into Football, a programme aimed at raising the profile of the deaf community. Cathy Bayford and Keighley Miles, who is herself deaf and represents West Ham’s deaf and hard of hearing fans on the DSB, were invited along to Chadwell Heath to watch the filming taking place. It is reassuring to see for ourselves how seriously the Club are taking this, although we did giggle a little at James Ward-Prowse mastering the closing line for the filming, in BSL.

Online ticket purchase process

We are still having reports of some issues when trying to purchase our accessibility tickets and/or PA tickets online although we do see less complaints on a game-by-game basis. The system is run by Ticketmaster, and these glitches are incredibly frustrating. We need to keep pushing for parity with our non-disabled fans.

Going forward

We were a little disappointed in the coverage the DSA received on matchday on the International Day for Disabled persons at the beginning of the month. Unfortunately, the date clashes with World Aids Day and Rainbow Laces also had events going on that day. A few of us were invited onto the pitch and we met Matt Jarvis, who has expressed an interest in an ambassador role with us. This would be great in raising our profile, and we will keep you informed.

Meanwhile, the Level Playing Fields “Unite for Access” campaign runs over a fortnight in February/March and we are working with our Disabled Access Officer, Julie Pidgeon to secure a full dedicated game, for Disabled fans and the DSA.

Unite For Access 2024 - Level Playing Field

We need to keep our DSA communication channels open. Beside the expectations of the Fan Engagement Standards, we need to let the Club what is needed and what is going well so please keep contacting us either by email, Facebook or X (Twitter).

Email info@whudsa.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/whudsb/

X Twitter @whu_dsa