Driven by registered charity Level Playing Field, Unite for Access utilises two weeks of the sporting calendar to promote disability inclusion at live sports events across the UK.

Recent research from Level Playing Field found that 23 per cent of disabled fans felt unable to attend certain sports or sporting venues due to accessibility issues, with many fans unable to watch their team live as a result of the barriers they face in and around stadiums.

This year's campaign, running from Saturday, 24th February to Sunday, 10th March, has been designed to unite clubs, fans and communities in a collective effort to drive equality and promote more inclusive matchday experiences.

As part of the club's longstanding United As One campaign, Newcastle United works closely with the Newcastle United Disabled Supporters Association (NUDSA) throughout the year, with the Unite For Access campaign highlighting awareness of key facilities at St. James' Park which are breaking down barriers and enabling many fans with enhanced accessibility needs to attend matches.

Sensory room

The sensory room is designed to create a safe therapeutic space, to promote resilience and recovery for fans who may require a quieter and calmer area. The sensory room is located next to an internal viewing area, assigned specifically to those using the sensory room.

The room is supported by specialist staff who have access to ear defenders, sensory toys, PECS communication cards, sensory backpacks and other tools to support fans in having the best possible experience.

Accessible spaces

The club offers a total of 234 spaces for wheelchairs, including both elevated and pitchside locations.

In addition to the 234 wheelchair spaces available, there are 125 dedicated accessible seats and 85 amenity seats on offer to fans.

Personal assistants

Newcastle United offer fans who require assistance in the stadium the option to attend with a Personal Assistant (PA) who can provide the appropriate support to assist with their matchday experience, where they may find it difficult to access the stadium or services offered on their own.

Audio commentary

An audio-descriptive commentary service is provided for home match fixtures at St. James' Park. The audio-descriptive commentary is a specialist matchday service that enables visually impaired fans to enjoy live matches, thanks to trained specialist commentators. Fans who book are presented with a receiver to listen to live commentary during the match.

Passport

Visiting St. James' Park can be daunting for people with both visible and non-visible disabilities. The club strives to make trips to the stadium as easy as possible through accessibility passports which ensure those who need accessibility support can alert matchday staff in a simple, recognisable way.

Fans who may benefit from this support are invited to register for a pocket-sized accessibility passport, by contacting the inclusion team. Fans who produce their accessibility passport to matchday staff along with their membership card and/or ticket will be assisted with their individual requirements, which may include support accessing the stadium and facilities.

Wellbeing officers

The club has recently employed a team of wellbeing officers who work to deliver effective safeguarding and equality, diversity and inclusion support on matchdays.

The team take a proactive approach to supporter wellbeing and are there to ensure the safety and wellbeing of visitors, as well as assisting with any accessibility requests, reporting or further assistance. Wellbeing officers are located around the stadium on all home matchdays and are identifiable by their white bibs.

More information

To discover more information about the work of Level Playing Field please visit www.levelplayingfield.org.uk.

Additional information for disabled fans looking to attend St. James’ Park can be found here.

The club’s disability access statement can also be viewed here.