Football grounds and disability access

[MKHIBEE]

My wife and spent the last week in Scotland. My wife is ambulant disabled and cannot walk very far and struggles with stairs. We went to matches at Firhill, St Mirren Stadium and Easter Road. All grounds opened their exit gates to allow her to get her walker in and offered assistance when needed. All had easily accessible disabled toilets. The disability officer at Firhill even made himself known to us, asked if we were happy with the facilities and said to get in touch with him anytime. No problem at any of those grounds.

Then we went to Ibrox yesterday. Our turnstile was at the end of the Sandy Jardine Stand.
Having reached the turnstile we were told they wouldn’t open the exit gate to let my wife take her Waller through. Go back to the next turnstile we were told. We did. It was shut. As was the one next to it.We went back to the first turnstile, folded up my wife’s walker and I carried it through the turnstile. The stand safety office asked if there was a problem. I told him it’s a joke treating disabled people like that. He wasn’t interested.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, my wife needed the toilet. Was told by a steward that the disabled toilets were on the upper concourse, which was closed
His advice? Use the ladies. Which she did, but it’s not easy with a walker. Anyway, my wife isn’t one to let things slide and Rangers received a statement from wife before we even reached half time yesterday.
I told her not expect anything but we shall see what happens.

[Trinity Hibee]

Somewhere used to dealing with large crowds should be much more accommodating to those who require extra support. I’m not going to pretend to know about legal requirements of venues but is it not law that they should have facilities/access for disabled users?

[Pretty Boy]

It's really pleasing to read that 3 of the 4 venues you visited were disability friendly and accessible.

The 4th is much less so. I would imagine their argument will be that it was a scaled down event with facilities reduced accordingly but that's not really good enough when it impacts someone needing to use the toilet or even just access the ground in a comfortable fashion. You wouldn't close all the men's toilets because the ground was only 10% full and tell them to use the ladies so why is it acceptable to close the disabled facilities?

Hopefully there is an apology forthcoming from Rangers and assurances that lessons have been learned for future events.

[MKHIBEE]

It's really pleasing to read that 3 of the 4 venues you visited were disability friendly and accessible.

The 4th is much less so. I would imagine their argument will be that it was a scaled down event with facilities reduced accordingly but that's not really good enough when it impacts someone needing to use the toilet or even just access the ground in a comfortable fashion. You wouldn't close all the men's toilets because the ground was only 10% full and tell them to use the ladies so why is it acceptable to close the disabled facilities?

Hopefully there is an apology forthcoming from Rangers and assurances that lessons have been learned for future events.

I will post any reply that we get from them.

[oconnors_strip]

Contact the supporters liaison officer at Rangers [email protected] and also Kieran Power who is Hibs supporters liaison officer and also recently the disabled supporters liaison officer. Kieran posts on here, his email is [email protected]

I actually spoke to the rangers support liaison officer yesterday at full time to raise mine and others concerns and problems with access to the stadium and where we were seated for all fans.

[MKHIBEE]

Contact the supporters liaison officer at Rangers [email protected] and also Kieran Power who is Hibs supporters liaison officer and also recently the disabled supporters liaison officer. Kieran posts on here, his email is [email protected]

I actually spoke to the rangers support liaison officer yesterday at full time to raise mine and others concerns and problems with access to the stadium and where we were seated for all fans.

Thanks for that. My wife sent an e mail off yesterday but I will pass on the message.

[MKHIBEE]

The following reply was received from Rangers FC after my wife complained.



Thank you for getting in touch.

I’m very sorry to hear that your experience at Ibrox Stadium on Sunday did not meet the standard we aim to provide. Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this caused.

We take matters such as this extremely seriously, and I will be raising the concerns you have outlined with our Head Steward. All our stewards undergo regular training, and I will ensure this particular matter is highlighted as part of that ongoing process to help prevent a recurrence in future.

Should you be planning to visit the stadium again, I would kindly ask that you contact the Hibs Supporter Liaison Officer in the first place, and/or Rangers at [email protected] in advance of the event. This will allow us to make any necessary arrangements to ensure your access requirements are fully met and that your experience is a positive one.

We hope to welcome you back to Ibrox again soon, and thank you once more for bringing this to our attention.

Regards,

John

[Trinity Hibee]

The following reply was received from Rangers FC after my wife complained.



Thank you for getting in touch.

I’m very sorry to hear that your experience at Ibrox Stadium on Sunday did not meet the standard we aim to provide. Please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this caused.

We take matters such as this extremely seriously, and I will be raising the concerns you have outlined with our Head Steward. All our stewards undergo regular training, and I will ensure this particular matter is highlighted as part of that ongoing process to help prevent a recurrence in future.

Should you be planning to visit the stadium again, I would kindly ask that you contact the Hibs Supporter Liaison Officer in the first place, and/or Rangers at [email protected] in advance of the event. This will allow us to make any necessary arrangements to ensure your access requirements are fully met and that your experience is a positive one.

We hope to welcome you back to Ibrox again soon, and thank you once more for bringing this to our attention.

Regards,

John



Not really that great a reply is it? Putting the responsibility on you to contact them to tell them you are coming? Really poor

[MKHIBEE]

Not really that great a reply is it? Putting the responsibility on you to contact them to tell them you are coming? Really poor
No explanation as to why there was no disabled access at the turnstile or why there was no disabled toilet on the concourse. Deflection, deflection deflection. It was my wife’s first visit, probably her last. I’m happy to go back, nothing finer than winning there.