The Level Playing Field 'Unite For Access' campaign is an annual period of inspiration and celebration of good access and inclusion at sports venues.
For this year's theme of hidden disabilities, we spoke to our Supporter Service Senior Coordinator, Callum Haymes, who was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis in 2015 at the age of 18.
“My symptoms only became apparent after I experienced several difficult months of weight loss, lethargy, and stomach pains," he said. "After a number of visits to my GP and two stints in hospital for tests, I was finally given my diagnosis. Ulcerative Colitis was a condition unbeknownst to me and whilst the news came as a shock, I was glad to finally understand more about what I was living with and move forward with my life.
"Describing Ulcerative Colitis to somebody who does not live with the condition is not a simple task, with some days more challenging than others. Symptoms can vary from person to person, but include constipation, diarrhoea, fatigue, joint pain and bowel incontinence. I’m fortunate that the severity of my condition does not require me to wear a stoma, although many people do.
"When I'm not working, I love coming to matches - but I'm conscious of how Ulcerative Colitis affects my matchday experience. When travelling to the stadium on public transport, I’m acutely aware of the need to be close to nearby toilet facilities. The fear of boarding a train service where the toilets are ‘Out of Order’ is enough to send me into a blind panic.
"Enjoying a greasy pre-match cheeseburger and a few pints with friends is a great part of the matchday ritual. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible for me if I’m experiencing a flare-up of my condition. I’ve become accustomed to looking after my lifestyle and diet, but I still struggle with the social anxiety and embarrassment of explaining my condition to friends and loved ones - thankfully, they have always been kind, supportive and understanding.
"Many suffering with Ulcerative Colitis, including myself, may not necessarily consider themselves to have a disability. When using disabled facilities such as accessible toilets in football stadiums, I’m always conscious of being questioned by others with visible access requirements.
"At Arsenal, the club has introduced Access Wristbands to help supporters with access requirements. This is a welcome step and allows people with non-visible disabilities to enjoy matchdays knowing they won’t need to have a difficult conversation with anyone, especially in public and crowded places."
Read more about Ulcerative Colitis
Our Arsenal Access Wristband is a discrete way of letting us know you have a hidden disability and may require additional assistance or to access our facilities - read more and request one if required
Earlier this year, we delivered Hidden Disability Awareness Training to our Steward Supervisors, which is part of our commitment to ensuring visitors are supported in the best way possible.
British Sign Language
We're also celebrating one year since our full integration of British Sign Language (BSL) into all matchdays at Emirates Stadium.
Since March 2023, at all home games, our pitchside show has had full BSL integration and all club content within the stadium has an embedded BSL interpreter.
For the launch, two of our deaf supporters, Max and Christopher, spoke to the club first-hand on the importance of the steps that Arsenal are taking to make our stadium experience as accessible and inclusive as possible.
Back in December, we also celebrated the launch of 'See Sport Differently', the RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) and British Blind Sport's new guidance on making the match day experience accessible for spectators with sight loss.
Arsenal is the lead club to contribute to this research, having been identified by Level-Playing Field as an example of Best Practice in the way in which we already support our blind and partially-sighted supporters.
RNIB's Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Gareth Davies, said: "The club have been exceptionally helpful and supportive during the research phase of the guidance providing RNIB with excellent examples and case studies of how the Emirates Stadium and its matchday staff are leading the way in creating an accessible stadium for all fans including those who are blind and partially sighted.
"This transformational relationship between the RNIB and Arsenal had led to tangible change for blind and partially sighted fans and is a relationship that we hope will continue to flourish."
Our contribution to this body of work builds into our long-term strategy around equality, diversity, and inclusion, with the aim of making Arsenal a welcoming place for everyone.
If you have a hidden disability or attend with a supporter who does and have any questions, you can contact our Disability Liaison Team. They are also on hand to support visitors at all men's home and away games, as well as women's home games.
Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
