Vlachos, Peter ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4870-9006 and Niaz, Shahab (2021) Disability and football fan experience: a comparative analysis of disabled attendees and sports venue staff. In: Association of Event Management Educators Annual Conference: The 17th AEME Events Management Educators Forum, 1st - 2nd Jul., 2021, Brighton, and online. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

In recent years, a body of research has emerged on disabled athletes in competitive sport (Choi et al, 2019; Braye et al, 2017; Wareham et al, 2017). Yet little parallel attention has been paid to disabled fans as attendees and consumers of sport event experiences. One in five people in the UK report a disability (DWP, 2018). A case approach was used to examine policies, fan experiences, and staff perceptions of disability at Charlton Athletic Football Club (CAFC) in south-east London. Qualitative interviews and focus groups captured the experiences and attitudes of disabled fans, venue staff, and general management. A total of forty (n=40) participants were interviewed, consisting of twenty disabled fans and twenty venue staff. Disparities exist between the experiences of disabled fans, and perceptions of non-disabled stadium staff. A fifth of disabled fans reported disability discrimination. Nearly two thirds felt that the venue required improved accessibility. Conversely, non-disabled stadium staff perceived no disability discrimination. Our results are surprising given the club’s proactive inclusivity efforts in supporting the community, encouraging female fans, and recognising LGBT (Miller, 2018). Compared to the more widely reported issue of racism in sport, disability discrimination remains under-explored. Equalities and human rights legislation impose a minimum level of accessibility requirements. ‘Reasonable adjustments’ provisions reflect the burden on service providers rather than the needs and preferences of the disabled consumer. Larger clubs may be able to dedicate more financial resources on physical accommodation of disabled fans, but such improvements must be complemented by staff training.

Item Type:	Conference or Conference Paper (Lecture)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	disability discrimination; disability in sport; inclusion; fan experience; accessibility;
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Business Greenwich Business School > Tourism and Marketing Research Centre (TMRC)
Last Modified:	02 Dec 2024 16:13
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/45827

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