A good practice guide to the design of facilities to meet the needs of disabled spectators and other users.

This publication has been funded by the Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF), supporter of the Football Foundation, and the Football Licensing Authority (FLA).

The Football Stadia Improvement Fund and the Football Licensing Authority have actively considered the needs of the partially sighted in accessing this document. The text is available in full on the Football Foundation web site (www.footballfoundation.org.uk) in accordance with the W3C's Web Accessibility Initiatives's criteria. The text may be freely downloaded and translated by individuals or organisations for conversion into other accessible formats. If you have other needs in this regard, or you are a carer for someone who has, please contact the Football Stadia Improvement Fund or the Football Licensing Authority.

Football Stadia Improvement Fund
25 Soho Square, London W1D 4FF.
Tel: 020 7534 4210, Fax: 020 7287 0459

Football Licensing Authority
27 Harcourt House, 19 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PL.
Tel: 020 7491 7191

The information contained in this publication is intended to provide useful guidance, but is not a definitive statement applicable to all circumstances. Independent professional advice should be obtained before taking any action or from refraining from taking any action on the basis of this information.

Forewords

The National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS) and its members look forward to the implementation and application of the recommendations contained in this publication. This is a user-friendly guide that promotes the harmonisation of standards, which should be available to all disabled spectators. The guide clearly defines the standard of facilities expected to be delivered in the 21st century and it is our sincere hope that each individual involved in stadium design and management will not only operate to the letter of this guide but will also fully embrace its spirit. The ultimate aims are spectator equality and inclusion. It would be encouraging to think that the riches brought by the popularity of football could be used, in part, in a caring and thoughtful manner to achieve these goals.

NADS supports this guide and what it represents and thanks those who have laboured tirelessly to produce it, including Alan Milner, the previous Chairman of NADS. We would also like to thank the FSIF and the FLA for providing the funding which has supported all aspects of its production.

Phil Downes
Chairman NADS

The Football Stadia Improvement Fund and the Football Licensing Authority believe that our sports grounds should be accessible to all spectators, irrespective of any disability.

We therefore welcomed the call from the Football Authorities' Disabled Supporters' Group for a good practice guide to the design of facilities to meet the needs of disabled spectators and other users. We are proud to sponsor this guide and to have been able to contribute to its preparation.

We hope that it will prove a valuable resource to all those involved in the design, operation and management of sports grounds.

We thank all the members of the working group who have contributed so much through their insights and commitment. We are also grateful to the many agencies, organisations and consultants who have made invaluable suggestions.

Peter Lee Chief Executive Football Foundation and Football Stadia Improvement Fund	John de Quidt Chief Executive Football Licensing Authority

A working group of interested organisations and agencies was brought together by the FSIF to assist and contribute to the production of this publication and the FSIF and FLA would like to acknowledge and thank the members of this group for their help and guidance.

Football Licensing Authority (FLA)
Jim Froggatt, FB Eng, RIBA. Chairman of working group.
Architect and Inspector with the Football Licensing Authority; UK representative on the ComitŽ EuropŽen de Normalisation working group on spectator facilities.

Contributor to Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds ('Green Guide'); contributor to Football Stadia Advisory Design Council; chairman of the Football Stadia Development Committee guidance on stadium control rooms; co-author of the report on the Mateo Flores Stadium disaster. Member of the Football Authorities Disabled Supporters' Group.

The Football Stadia Improvement Fund (FSIF)
Steve Shipperley, FRICS, Head of Technical Services.
Convenor of the working group. Head of Technical Services of the Football Foundation and Football Stadia Improvement Fund.

A Chartered Building Surveyor with a background in Private and Public sectors. Joined the Football Trust in 1995, and has been involved in football and stadia facilities at all levels of the game. A member of numerous working groups and contributor to the FF and FSIF Facilities Data Sheets. Member of the Football Authorities Disabled Supporters' Group.

National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS)
Alan Milner, Past Chairman, NADS.
Member of Football Authorities Disabled Supporters' Group. Disability Liaison Officer, Charlton Athletic Football Club.

FA Premier League (FAPL)
Catharine Long, BA, Corporate and Community Affairs Executive, FA Premier League.
Coordinator Euro 2000 Fan Embassies. Researcher, Panels for Disabled Supporters' 1999. Member of Football Authorities Disabled Supporters Group.

The Football League (FL)
Rob McRobbie, BA, Head of Safety and Customer Services Department. Football League.
Previously Safety Officer and Stadium Manager, Sheffield United Football Club. Member of Football Authorities Disabled Supporters' Group.

The Football Association (FA)
Chris Whalley, Head of Stadia, Safety and Security.
Joined Football Association in 2001 where he has responsibility for stadium safety issues. Through his previous work with the Football League he has had a long involvement in the development of stadium facilities and ground safety issues. Member of the Football Authorities Disabled Supporters' Group.

Sport England (SE)
Tony Atherton, RIBA, BA Dip Arch. Senior Development Manager, (Facilities).
Member of British Standards sub-committee responsible for Code of Practice BS8300: 2001. Author of Sport England guidance note 'Access for Disabled People'. Contributor to FF and FSIF facility data sheets on access and provision for people with disabilities. Sport England representative on the Board of the Inclusive Fitness Initiative. Member of Football Authorities Disabled Supporters' Group.

Observer
David Petherick, Dip Arch FRSA Principal Architect, Building Regulations Division.
Office Of The Deputy Prime Minister.

Editor
Michael Earle, RIBA, MILAM Head of Devereux Earle Sport and Leisure Division, Devereux Architects Limited. Deputy Chief Architect, The Sports Council (1976-1991), contributor to a wide range of Sports Council publications. Main Board Director, Sports Partner, Sports Council Trust Company (1991-1995).

Projects include major tennis venues at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, Nottingham, Craiglockhart, Edinburgh. Editor of LTA Trust publication on wheelchair tennis, Football Foundation, Football Stadia Improvement Fund Facilities Data Sheets.

Editorial Assistants
Jonathan Harford, BA Dip Arch. ARB.
Associate. Devereux Earle Sport and Leisure Division, Devereux Architects Limited. Founding member of practice.

Projects include Devonshire Park Stadium at Eastbourne. Acted as specialist advisor on bid for the 2002 World Cup venue at Oita, Japan. Contributor to Football Foundation, Football Stadia Improvement Fund Facilities Data Sheets.

Alan Sillitoe

Former Senior Officer at Sport England. Involved in and contributed to a number of facility guidance notes and publications. Contributor to Football Foundation, Football Stadia Improvement Fund Facilities Data Sheets.

Consultations
The FSIF and FLA acknowledge and thank all of the interested agencies, organizations, design and access consultancy practices who commented and provided information at the draft consultations stage.

Introduction

It is now over 11 years since the Football Stadia Advisory design Council published 'Designing for Spectators with Disabilities'. This publication is now out of print and much has happened since that date through studies, reports and legislation. Whilst this new publication concentrates upon design and provision for disabled spectators at stadia and their particular needs, the removal of physical barriers, facility improvements at existing stadia and well considered design solutions at new stadia will create and provide more inclusive facilities and accessibility for all people who attend and spectate.

Attending matches and other sporting activities is an integral and vital part of our culture and tradition. Stadia vary greatly in capacity from a few thousand to many that host tens of thousands of spectators. New stadia are being planned and constructed. All of these will be different because of their location, scale and site factors. Many clubs and stadia provide activities and facilities outside of match days and are an important part of local community life. Common to all is the need to provide well designed, managed and operated facilities that meet the expectations and demands of spectators, all of whom wish to experience and enjoy the thrills and excitement that these occasions can deliver.

This publication is an advisory document and is not intended to be prescriptive nor inhibit alternative and creative solutions.

Part One: Legislation and References

Introduces the legal requirements and obligations related to the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA) that must be taken account of by service providers and designers in making reasonable adjustment to physical barriers and services in existing and new stadia. It draws attention to the 'Code of Practice. Rights of Access. Goods, Facilities, Services and Premises. Disability Rights Commission 2002.' ('DRC Code'). It summarises and provides an overview of BS8300: 2001 'The design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people': 'Code of Practice' ('BS 8300') and the 'Guide to Safety at Sports Grounds 1997' ('Green Guide') and their importance as key references for standards and good practice. These include reference to the new Building Regulations PART M 2004 'Access to and use of buildings'. Other sources of reference: 'Improving facilities for Disabled Supporters, a report by the Football Task Force 1998' ('Task Force Report'), Ground Surveys and definitions of disability are summarised. This part also explains the requirement for an access audit of an existing stadium and an access plan or strategy as a first step, and the continued need to carry this through at each design and construction stage, including statutory approvals at the Planning and Building Regulations stages.

Part Two: Facilities

Concentrates upon physical features, design issues and standards with key sources of references which include:

• Transport and access to the stadium
• Information and signage
• Parking
• Ticket outlets and designated entrances
• Movement and circulation in and around the stadium
• Vertical and horizontal circulation
• Lifts, ramps and staircases

Provides guidance and recommended spectating standards covering quantity, location and dispersal of viewing areas and design issues regarding sightlines.

Provides guidance, standards, requirements and accessibility for:

• Toilets
• Restaurants and bars
• Directors' boxes
• Hospitality suites
• Executive boxes
• Retail and commercial activities
• Press and media

This part also provides essential information on design and management issues related to safety that include horizontal and vertical means of escape, fire and emergency warning systems and staff training.

Part Three: Access Audits and Accessibility Appraisals

Focuses on the role and services that can be provided by an access consultant and their terms of reference and appointment. Clarifies the difference between an access audit carried out at an existing stadium and the services that can be provided with the design team through an 'accessibility appraisal' as proposals for alterations or new build are progressed through the design, statutory approvals and construction stages, to ensure that the access plan or strategy is successfully realised.

Access Checklist
This section also provides a possible methodology and approach for an access audit of existing facilities including certain management and operational issues, physical features with related legislation, codes of practice and important sources of reference.

Part Four: Appendices

Appendix 1
Provides a number of worked examples related to existing and new stadia, with capacities of 10,000 to 50,000.

Appendix 2
Lists key references.

Appendix 3
Lists relevant organisations and agencies.

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