Campaign to assist disabled sports fans

Campaign to assist disabled sports fans

7 September 2016

A CROSSGAR woman is spearheading a campaign to make live sport events accessible for disabled people.

Twenty six year-old Michaela Hollywood has hit out at venues that prevent wheelchair users like her from attending sporting events.

Michaela, who has the congenital muscle wasting condition spinal muscular atrophy, founded Trailblazers, which lobbies for disabled youth, after experiencing difficulties accessing a music concert in Belfast in 2008.

She was recognised by former Prime Minister David Cameron for her services to young disabled people and was last year named one of the world’s most influential women.

Michaela has now turned her attention to fighting for the rights of disabled sports fans ahead of the Paralympics. 

She believes too many are put off live events by unfit stadiums and venues, which have stopped her attending the sports she loves.

Michaela took part in a UK-wide survey for Muscular Dystrophy UK Trailblazers, which is now a 700 strong network of young disabled people. 

The charity’s Move the Goalposts survey revealed that disabled fans in Northern Ireland feel frustrated and isolated from live sporting events.

Michaela said the charity is concerned that disabled people are being shut out and put off from sports venues with over half having had to sit away from family and friends, some being forced to sit with opposing fans and nearly nine out of ten feeling disadvantaged by the ticket booking system.

The recent survey also uncovered accounts of disabled fans forced to sit in the rain, with over half having had to sit in an unsheltered seating area, and one in four saying venue access, including parking, is their main reason for not attending more sporting events.

Michaela said the difficulties faced mean she has lost some of her passion for live sport, which she over when she was younger.

“Some really bad experiences put me off trying to go to some events altogether,” she said.

“I was made to feel as if my wheelchair was an inconvenience and that the stadium just wasn’t for people like me. 

“Knowing that I can’t sit with family and friends is a real disappointment too. These days I mostly watch live games on television.

“Venues are so hit and miss. It can either be an enjoyable experience or a real nightmare and waste of money. 

“In November I’m hoping to go to the Irish Open snooker but I can’t even find any information on whether it’s wheelchair friendly. 

“To miss out would be devastating. We just want the same opportunities to watch live sport as everyone else.”

Michaela said Muscular Dystrophy UK was calling for accessibility to be placed at the heart of all future venue design and renovation with the establishment of a sports fan access group to regularly to discuss necessary changes.

She said wheelchair users should also have the choice of sitting in larger groups, while venues should liaise with disability groups to discuss improving the experience of disabled sports fans.

Tanvi Vyas, manager of Muscular Dystrophy UK, said it was disappointing that four years after the big promises of a Paralympic legacy, many disabled people in Northern Ireland are frustrated by their sporting experience. 

“That they feel shut-out from events they love due to venue layout and accessibility is a real disgrace,” she said.

“We urge the sports industry to put accessibility at the heart of stadium design and renovation, and to engage with charities like ours so every sports fan, regardless of disability, can follow their passion.”