Port Vale

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1. Introduction

Port Vale Football Club (PVFC) is committed to ensuring that we create a safe environment for everyone visiting or taking part in activities at the club. We fully support the principle of equal opportunities and opposes all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of disability.

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The club operates a specific ticketing policy for supporters who are less able or who have accessibility needs. We will also ensure that the scheme does not discriminate between those who are less able or have accessibility needs. The club recognises that not all of its facilities are fully accessible to supporters with additional needs and confirms it is committed to making the necessary reasonable adjustments, described by the Equality Act and its relevant codes of practice to ensure full compliance with the legislation.

Carol Shanahan

Chair.

2. Scope

This Policy is for use across the club and is to be observed by all those working/volunteering and coming into contact with supporters with accessible needs or who are less able, and that best practice is promoted and adhered to. 

Activities undertaken at the following locations/departments are under the remit of this policy including:

• Port Vale Football club and the Vale Park Stadium
• Port Vale Foundation Trust
• Port Vale First Team
• Port Vale Academy and youth development
• Port Vale Women’s Football team
• Port Vale Retail Store.

DEFINITION OF DISABILITY

As a fundamental principle the Equality Act 2010 states people with a disability should not be treated "less favourably, without justification" and "reasonable adjustments should be made to make goods, facilities and services accessible".
Port Vale Football Club aims to comply with both the provisions and spirit of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 and the Equality Act 2010.

For the purposes of this policy only, the definition of a supporter with a disability is: - "Any person who, because of their disability or impairment, is unable to use ordinary stand seating without contravening Health and Safety Regulations, Guidelines or Policy or where the club has provided a " reasonable adjustment" to enable that supporter to attend the venue. Any such person will be considered for use of the "designated areas" of the stadium in line with the procedures set out in this policy".

As defined by the Equality Act 2010, a person with a Disability is defined as an individual who “has a physical or mental disability which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”. 

A "reasonable adjustment" in the context should include (but is not limited to), the need to use a wheelchair user space, the need to bring a "personal assistant" for personal care reasons, or the use of an auxiliary service (e.g. match commentary for blind and partially sighted supporters).

A 'personal assistant' (PA)is someone who is accompanying a supporter with a disability and who is fully able to support the needs of said supporter in the event of an emergency. The Club recognise that many children are carers to their parents and will not be treated any differently than an adult personal assistant. However, we insist that the child carer is fully able to support their parent’s individual needs in the event of an emergency. If a child is the parent’s PA, the club request that the Club’s Supporter Liaison Officer is notified. Ally Simcock can be contacted via email ally.simcock@port-vale.co.uk or alternatively the match day safeguarding officer Tim Bailey tim.bailey@port-vale.co.uk.

A "designated area" is any area (including specific seats around the stadium) that the club shall, in its sole discretion determine as being available for the concessionary ticket price.

Port Vale Football Club reserves the right to request "proof of a disability" before issuing any concession / reasonable adjustment.

Proof of Disability Documentation includes.

• Proof of entitlement of middle or higher rate of Disability Living Allowance - Mobility or Care Component (DLA) 
• Proof of entitlement of enhanced rate of Personal Independent Payment Mobility or Care Component (PIP)
• Proof of entitlement of Severe Disablement Allowance
• A personal letter from your GP or Care Worker
• A copy of registration documents which certify Registered Blind or Registered Partially Sighted status, or qualifying documentation from a registered optician equivalent to registration requirements

Please note that Blue Badges are not sufficient proof of disability and it is the responsibly of the supporter to inform the club of any changes in their circumstances.

CONTACT WITH EXISTING SUPPORTERS WITH A DISABILITY

Port Vale Football Club strives to create an open dialogue with supporters with a disability and encourages them to contact the club on a regular basis to discuss facilities and improvements etc.

The club's disability liaison officer is Luke Cassidy who can be contacted on mobile no 07722925759 or by e-mail luke.cassidy@port-vale.co.uk .The club is also a full member of Level Playing Field (LPF) who can be contacted via www.levelplayingfield.org.uk  


FACILITIES FOR ACCESSIBLE/ LESS ABLE SUPPORTERS

Accessible Seating stand

Accessible stand tickets can be purchased from the Ticket office (entry gate D Hamil Road) and cannot be bought at the Stand entrance.

We suggest that all our supporters should arrive in plenty of time at the ground (approximately an hour prior to kick off), but if you have not yet bought your tickets, please allow extra time to purchase them from the Ticket Office.

Proof of the medium or high disability living allowance being received either to the car or mobility component is required.

Port Vale Football Club welcomes all accessible or less abled supporters therefore ticketing prices remain at the standard charge for an adult or child – we believe our facilities ensure all public receive an equal football experience at Vale Park.

The Accessible stand has the following positions for less able supporters including a number of wheelchair user’s spaces and, if required, a personal assistant: -

Access Stand - 96 spaces with 28 wheelchair user spaces,

Parking facilities – we have 19 accessible parking spaces.

It is the club policy that one companion with any wheelchair user receives their admission to the ground free of charge. The wheelchair-user is required to pay the standard admission price for that particular game. Season tickets will be available for both the wheelchair-user and their companion.

FACILITIES FOR BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED SUPPORTERS

The club accommodates blind and partially sighted supporters and if required, their personal assistants within the stadium.

Port Vale offer the Soccer Sight service for partially sighted and blind supporters to use at home fixtures at Vale Park. The service allows blind and partially sighted supporters to listen to full match commentary for all league and cup fixtures from within the stadium, to help to improve the match day experience.

Headsets are readily available for supporters to collect from within the stand ahead of kick-off.

Eligibility for this provision requires proof of disability as described previously or each person can provide a copy of their registration document which certifies they are Registered Blind or Registered Partially Sighted or provide qualifying documentation from their optician equivalent to registration requirements.

Guide Dogs are allowed into the stadium, but the club insist that supporters with guide dogs contact the Disability Liaison Officer before the match, so we can discuss with them access to the ground, facilities inside the ground and the welfare of the guide dog before, during and after the match.

FACILITIES FOR SUPPORTERS WITH LIMITED MOBILITY

Supporters suffering from limited mobility restrictions which may affect access to the Stadium should contact the Supporter Liaison Officer by email ally.simcock@port-vale.co.uk to discuss any queries. To arrange alternative seating contact the Disability Liaison Officer 07722925759 or by e-mail luke.cassidy@port-vale.co.uk

For the purposes of this policy and the administration of the concessionary ticketing policy both categories of people will be termed "ambulant disabled supporters" and those supporters with limited mobility of a severe nature will be given priority access to seating nearest the entrances/exits on request.

FACILITIES FOR DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING SUPPORTERS

The club welcomes deaf and hard of hearing supporters and hearing assistance dogs.  

FACILITIES FOR SUPPORTERS WITH AN INTELLECTUAL OR LEARNING DISABILITY

Supporters with an intellectual or learning disability can normally be accommodated in any part of the stadium in general allocation seating. However, if for whatever reason any such supporter feels that general allocation seating would be unsuitable for them, reasonable adjustment can be arranged in advance through the Disability Liaison Officer.

FAMILY SEATING

The club recognises disabled people have families who may wish to attend matches as a family unit. The club will try and accommodate such requests although this may not always be possible.

Please contact the Disability Liaison Officer for assistance in obtaining tickets as close as possible to the designated areas.

AWAY AMBULANT DISABLED SUPPORTERS

Ambulant and Carer tickets are normally available out of the standard ticket allocation sent to the away club. Fans that may find seating difficult or require specific help or advice are welcome to contact the Disability Liaison Officer.

CAR PARKING FACILITIES

The club has allocated accessible parking bays for both home and away supporters. Please contact the Disabled Liaison Officer for more information.

DROP OFF / SET DOWN POINT

There is a drop off/ set down point inside the main entrance to the stadium, next to the wheelchair accessible stand. This can be accessed via gate D. Please notify the Disability Liaison Officer when you book your tickets if you would like some help.

CATERING FACILITIES

Match Day catering for all supporters using the accessibility stand is provided in the Kiosk situated in that stand. This includes low level counters to assist wheelchair using supporters. This catering facility is exclusive to users of the Access stand.

ACCESSIBLE TOILETS

There are accessible toilets in different parts of the ground, in the access stand itself we have 3 accessible toilets directly available in the Access stand. Each of the toilets is heated and alarmed, in the event of an emergency or assistance being required.

(Further accessible toilets are located in the concourse of the Lorne Street Stand. They are also located by the Valiants Suite and Hospitality Box Level).

If you experience any problems with the use of the accessible toilets, please contact the nearest steward on the day or the club safety officer after the match.

ACCESS TO OTHER FACILITIES

The club has many facilities on match days and non-match days which are not directly linked with actually watching the match. Should a supporter with additional needs require specific assistance at a game please inform the Disability Liaison Officer on booking tickets and we will endeavor to provide appropriate help.

ACCESSIBLE WEBSITES

A useful website for disabled supporters to find out about facilities at grounds around the country can be found on the LPF website – www.levelplayingfield.co.uk

Useful contact details are: -

1. Disability liaison Officer – Luke Cassidy M: 07722925759 or by e-mail luke.cassidy@port-vale.co.uk

2. Supporter Liaison Officer - Ally Simcock - by e-mail ally.simcock@port-vale.co.uk
3. Designated Safeguarding Officer – Jon Bloore – 07892864806 or by e-mail jon.bloore@port-vale.co.uk
4. Match Day Safeguarding Officer – Tim Bailey – 07966935817 or by e-mail tim.bailey@port-vale.co.uk