The 12th March brought to an end Level Playing Field’s (the Charity that represents disabled sports fans) first ever 15 day Unite for Access Campaign.
As the MK Dons and the MKDSA actively participated and promoted this Campaign, the MKDSA’s two Disability Officer’s Jo & Jeff (aka Burt & Ernie) thought they would reflect on the campaign and (as ever!) have the last word, (just for now)!
Our game against Ipswich on 25 February was designated the Dons “Unite for Access” Campaign game, when the stadium’s new stoma friendly toilets were officially opened by Daniel Townley from Level Playing Field and Chris Checkley, Chair of MK Centre for Integrated Living, who undertook to start a campaign to get stoma friendly toilets across MK. LPF’s new video was also shown on the stadium screens, featuring Stadium MK and a couple of very dodgy looking characters who you might recognise.
A video which has now been shown at many grounds around the country and we are told on the Football League Show. For those who have so far managed to avoid it, you can find it on Level Playing Field’s web page.
All the following week there were daily articles/ on the MK Dons web page about disability issues. Someone who was not featured though was our new friend in the Club Shop (insert photo) has anyone else noticed their presence?
Whilst it was great to see the focus on disability issues in this way, what we are very aware of is that accessibility issues for many fans go far beyond 15 days of the season. That is why we have the role we have, to constantly improve the match day experience for fans with access needs at both Stadium MK and all the away grounds that Dons fans visit.
Stadium MK is one of the best in the country for access but it is great to hear Club officials saying they want to improve further and hopefully before too long we will have more news to write about.
In the meantime if you know of some access issue that you think could be improved let us know by emailing us on disabilitymkdsa@gmail.com Improvements often do not happen quickly but without awareness of an issue, change won’t happen.
Jo & Jeff Newall, Disability Officers, MKDSA
