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Match day access boost for disabled football fans

Vic Minett,BBC CWRand
Oprah Flash,West Midlands
Ensuring Sky Blues support for all disabilities

A group supporting disabled football fans has been working to make matches more inclusive and accessible.

The Coventry City Disabled Supporters Association (DSA) partnered with the club three seasons ago, and since then a range of initiatives have been introduced, including audio‑description commentary for blind and partially sighted fans.

"Our aim is to support more and more fans to access games and just be able to support their Sky Blues with everybody else," chair Simone Seth told BBC CWR.

The association also helps fans with transport to and from the stadium and supports those who find match days challenging due to sensory or cognitive needs.

Dave Shephard and Simone Seth : A clean-shaven man with a shaved dark hair is wearing a blue tshirt and dark blue sports jacket with his arm around a shorter woman with pulled back dark hair and a beige scarf. They are standing against a swirly purple wall
Dave Shephard and Simone Seth say they want to improve the experience for disabled fans

Committee member Dave Shephard shared how the club embraced his involvement in a "sensory room", which he originally ran alone.

He said: "Our sensory room started off four years ago. I was doing it on my own, then I lost my sight a couple of years ago and the club were very receptive to me staying on.

Most recently, the DSA launched sensory packs at the 21 March home game, designed to support neurodivergent children who may struggle with the intensity of match days. The kits include ear defenders, fidget toys, a stress ball and lanyards featuring emotional thermometers for non‑verbal children.

"I love it — I don't get paid for it. I wanted to get involved with the DSA to try and make that experience better because we get a varied spectrum of kids and adults with disabilities coming in, and I want to give our families a much better experience," Shephard aid.

Coventry City Disabled Supporters Association A group of six women and two men all of different ages are arranged in a row of two, the front row is sitting down and the back row are standing behind them. In the background on a white wall is a Coventry city logoCoventry City Disabled Supporters Association
The group started working with the club three seasons ago

One family of four — all committed Sky Blues fans — turned to the DSA after feeling unable to attend matches because their daughter had special educational needs.

Seth explained: "Through working with us, the family were able to access the sensory room. We were really pleased to hear that this season, because of the confidence and support they gained, they bought a season ticket — so all four of them are now able to come as a family and enjoy the football together."

The association has also collaborated with the club to install a new wheelchair platform for away supporters, further strengthening accessibility across the stadium.

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