Aston Villa is proud to support Level Playing Field’s ‘Weeks of Action’ campaign.
Level Playing Field are a sports charity who act as a campaigning and advisory organisation for disabled sports fans.
Weeks of Action aims to celebrate the positive initiatives undertaken by clubs, sporting venues and their governing bodies in partnership with disabled sports fans and Disabled Supporters’ Associations.
This season’s campaign, the 17th annual event, takes place from Saturday, February 27 until Sunday, March 14 and will be a period of celebration and inspiration, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
With supporters unable to watch matches from inside stadiums, this year's theme focuses on 'the importance of live sport' on supporters’ well-being.
The key objective is to raise awareness of good accessibility and inclusion and how it benefits disabled fans and the wider community, driving a greater matchday experience and encouraging more disabled fans to watch.
Saturday’s Premier League match against Wolves (ko 5.30pm) will be Villa’s dedicated fixture, with players wearing Level Playing Field t-shirts during the warm-up and club media across all channels showing its support for the campaign.
The club has stayed connected with our disabled supporters during these challenging times, with Disability Access Officer Anthony Richards contacting disabled season ticket holders.
The Aston Villa Foundation engages disabled fans through our Ability Counts football, allowing those of all ages and abilities to take part in matches and train with their peers and a team of dedicated coaches, with players competing in the Birmingham Ability Counts League against a host of local teams.
During lockdown, participants have also taken part in virtual quizzes and catch ups, ensuring they can still socialise with their team-mates and receive any support needed from staff.
In September, two members of our Disability Teams received a special surprise when they were both treated to a day they’ll never forget.
John Morley, a Villa season ticket holder who plays for the Villa Rockets Powerchair team, and Kevin Hughes, a lifelong fan who has represented our adults Ability Counts football team for a number of years, enjoyed a behind-the-scenes look at our 2020/21 media day and were invited by head coach Dean Smith to take part in the photoshoot for our third kit.
Level Playing Field training has also recently been delivered to 20 members of staff, including the ticketing, HR and safeguarding departments.
In addition, following ‘All In’ fan survey data and feedback, subtitles are being added to video media content to make them more accessible to deaf and hard of hearing supporters.
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Find out more about the Aston Villa Foundation
