By Middlesbrough FC

On Saturday it is our Unite For Access matchday, as we highlight our support for the disabled community.

Under the banner campaign RiverSideBySide, MFC is committed to the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion throughout the club.

We work closely with the EFL and charity campaigning and advisory organisation Level Playing Field to offer the best possible experience to our disabled fans, who will be proudly represented in Saturday's player walkout and half-time competition.

Here are just some examples of how we aim to improve access to our club:

  • Having conversation events, valuing, and listening to supporters and making positive changes wherever we can. We understand that we may need to make reasonable adjustments to ensure access for all.
  • Offering one-to-one sessions with supporters who may be experiencing changing circumstances, for example, by recently becoming a disabled person. This may include changing seating arrangements, accessible parking, or additional support to access to the stadium. We can arrange visits on a non-matchday for people who may be anxious, have dementia, autism, a physical or sensory impairment or for people who are experiencing mental ill health.
  • Signposting individuals to local disability organisations, for example Citizens Advice who can use their knowledgeand expertise to provide additional support.
  • Training staff including on Disability Awareness, Disability Equality, Deaf Awareness and supporting people who have dementia. Staff are also trained in Mental Health First Aid, Disability Inclusion in Practice, Understanding Tourettes Syndrome and Neurodiversity.
  • Working with Deaf supporters and a local organisation that provides British Sign Language interpreters and training, to improve our communication with Deaf people. We now include automated subtitles on videos on our official website.
  • Commissioning access audits to enable us to focus on the more structural aspects of our stadium. We are implementing recommendations identified by our supporters, staff, and independent auditors, regularly reviewing actions undertaken and prioritising those yet to be completed.
  • Reviewing and evaluating our policies and processes to meet the needs of our supporters. This includes carryingout disability impact assessments on each new project.
  • Supporting individuals who have hidden impairments who choose to use the Sunflower Scheme, with access to lanyards, badges, and wristbands and ensuring stewards and other staff understand the meaning and importance of the scheme. We also need to be aware many individuals who have hidden impairments do not want to use this scheme.
  • Having a strong working relationship with the wider community is so important to our club and supporters. We work closely with our colleagues in all departments of the club, particularly with supporter services to achieve this.
  • Representing disabled people on the club’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion steering group.
  • Updating the information on our Disability Access Guide, available via the club website.

Introducing Rosemary, Our DLO

“As a disabled person, I am totally passionate about the work that we do. I see and feel the real sense of belonging between the club and supporters every day in my job role. I am always being told of the fascinating history of the club, the highs and lows and how MFC makes such a difference to individual supporters, their friends and families’ lives.

“I firmly believe that disabled people should have equitable access to, for example, education, employment travel, leisure facilities and all aspects of the life we choose to live, especially football!

“MFC is fully committed to supporting all fans to ensure an equitable and inclusive matchday experience. I am very proud to say that this is the reason why the club has invested in my full-time role of Disability Liaison Officer (DLO).

“You can contact me via email at rosemary.berks@mfc.co.uk or telephone 01642 757661.”