§ Lord Harrisonasked Her Majesty's Government:
How they will promote improved access to football grounds in Britain in advance of the European Year of the Disabled 2003. [HL1627]
§ The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Blackstone)The Government are keen to see improved facilities and access available to disabled supporters at football grounds. Significant improvements have been made in recent years.
The Football Task Force report, Facilities for Disabled Supporters, made a number of recommendations to the football authorities on improving customer service arrangements for disabled supporters. The majority of these have been implemented.
The National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS) has also carried out an audit of the facilities available at football grounds in England. Its report gives a clear indication of the needs of disabled supporters.
I know that the football authorities are working hard with NADS and others to ensure that their grounds are on course for meeting the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act by the statutory deadline of 1 October 2004.