DISABLED SUPPORTERS TICKETING POLICY - 2017/18 SEASON NOTHING BUT THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH v1.0 February 2017 EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB DISABILITY POLICY: Everton Football Club (“Everton”) fully supports the principle of equality opportunities and opposes all forms of unlawful or unfair discrimination on the grounds of disability. This Disabled Supporters Ticketing Policy (“Policy”) offers and outlines reasonable adjustments that can be made based on an individual supporter’s needs, in order to allow disabled supporters to fully enjoy the match experience. Everton are committed to ensuring that this Policy does not discriminate between disabled people with differing impairments. This Policy should be read in conjunction with the Ticket Terms and Conditions and the Ground Regulations (available here: ground-regulations, TermsAndConditions.aspx or from Everton’s ticket office). Save where expressly stated to the contrary in this Policy, each ticketholder must comply with the Ticket Terms and Conditions and the Ground Regulations. DEFINITION OF DISABILITY: As defined by the Equality Act 2010 and accepted by Level Playing Field and the Premier League, a Disabled Supporter is defined as an individual who “has physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities”. This is a wide definition of disability, and can include conditions ranging from physical or mobility impairments, auditory or visual impairments, medical conditions, mental health difficulties, and “unseen disabilities” (for instance heart conditions and epilepsy). Everton seeks to support disabled supporters and offers a variety of reasonable adjustments to allow them to access Everton’s services. SEASON TICKETS AND MATCH TICKETS: Disabled supporters have the opportunity to purchase season tickets or individual match tickets from the box office or by calling 0151 556 1878. These tickets are subject to availability and any ticketholder must comply with the terms and conditions applicable to that ticket as set out on the website (available at: TermsAndConditions.aspx or from Everton’s ticket office). Everton recognises that there may be circumstances when a supporter would find it unreasonably difficult or impossible to access Goodison Park (“Stadium”) or other services offered without assistance. Everton therefore offers disabled supporters the opportunity, in certain circumstances, to bring a personal assistant / carer / companion (“PA”) to the Stadium, free of charge, as set out below. This is a reasonable adjustment made by Everton to enable a disabled person to more easily access the full range of match day and event services. Everton also offers a number of auxiliary services in order to enhance a disabled supporters’ match-day experience. This includes: • induction loop equipment which is now available at the Goodison Road Ticket Office, the Park End, the Goodison Road reception, and at the low level catering kiosk at the Park End; • fixture lists are available at the ticket office in braille and audio; • upon request Everton will take steps to provide accessible information in large print; • complimentary headsets are provided upon request to enable supporters to listen to the audio match commentary. These can be ordered through the Club’s Disability Liaison Officer; • seat side food and drink service in wheelchair areas; and • an accessible catering kiosk with a low level counter which is available in the Sir Philip Carter Park Stand concourse. If you would like further information on these services, please contact Everton’s Disability Officers on the details set out below. EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM DISABLED SUPPORTERS TICKETING POLICY - 2017/18 SEASON NOTHING BUT THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH v1.0 February 2017 PERSONAL ASSISTANT / COMPANION TICKETS: In determining whether a PA is required, Everton will take account of whether the time, inconvenience, effort, discomfort, anxiety or loss of dignity entailed in using Everton’s services would be considered unreasonable by other people if they had to endure similar difficulties. Examples of the kind of difficulties or activities which may require the use of a PA could include: • help in getting to the stadium from car parks; • assistance around the Stadium including getting to seats and viewing areas; • assistance with obtaining/carrying refreshments; • assistance in using the toilet facilities; • blind, deaf, and deafblind interpreters; • way-finding assistance; and • to provide safety and wellbeing protection, and so on. (Please note that this list is not exhaustive and if you have a particular need which is not listed above, please contact Everton.) A PA seeking to gain admission must enter in the presence of the supporter. The supporter may enter the Stadium on their own provided that they are present when their PA seeks to gain admission. Any PA who seeks to gain entry without being in the presence of a disabled supporter may be required to upgrade their ticket. PA tickets are transferable however tickets for the supporter are not. A PA should sit with the supporter to assist him/her during the match, and Everton will endeavour to assist disabled supporters in this. Everton would encourage supporters to select a PA who is fully capable of meeting their individual needs, although Everton recognises that a PA may be another disabled person, or a young person. Everton welcomes all supporters, and in the event that a fan with multiple or more substantial disabilities wishes to attend, Everton will consider providing a second complimentary PA ticket upon request, however the supporter may be required to confirm why this is necessary. A season ticket holder who requires the use of a PA may request to be allocated a PA ticket for the duration of that season (“Season PA Ticket”). Everton will endeavour to accommodate all such requests, however there may be circumstances when such requests are refused or the benefit of such Season PA Ticket is withdrawn during that season. Everton kindly requests that any season ticket holding supporters who are allocated a Season PA Ticket, inform the Club in the event that the PA Ticket is not required on any occasion to allow Everton to reallocate the seats for other supporters. Should any supporters or PAs be found to be abusing the benefits granted under this Policy or otherwise breaching the applicable Ticket Terms and Conditions or Ground Regulations, the Club reserves the right to deny admittance or to take further action. EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM DISABLED SUPPORTERS TICKETING POLICY - 2017/18 SEASON NOTHING BUT THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH v1.0 February 2017 DISABILITY REGISTRATION: Everton takes a pro-active approach to the consideration of disabled access, and seeks to ensure that adjustments are made in advance of an individual accessing Everton’s services or the Stadium. Everton recognises that every individual experiences their disability very differently, and accordingly it does not seek to create a “one-size-fits-all” solution. Each request is reviewed on a case by case basis. Everton will listen to what a supporter says about any access or other barriers faced and the daily effects of these on them, including identifying the difficulties that they may face in attending a match or event at the Stadium. To help Everton manage the ticketing system, Everton encourages disabled supporters to complete a Disability Registration Form which is available from Everton. This helps Everton to identify a supporter’s underlying needs and the reasons why a PA Ticket is required as a reasonable adjustment. This is not mandatory and a supporter or their advocate may prefer instead to speak with Everton’s Disability Ticketing Officer or an alternative representative of Everton. Following consultation with Level Playing Field, Everton does not routinely seek “proof of disability”, however where Everton feels that there is reasonable doubt, Everton is entitled as a service provider to seek evidence or ‘proof of disability’ if needed. In such cases, any of the following may be regarded as acceptable proof: a. Receipt of the mid-rate care element, or higher rate mobility element of Disability Living Allowance (“DLA”), or War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement. Please note however that DLA is being replaced with Personal Independence Payments (“PIPS”) and it is unclear how these changes will impact on the level of proof which will be considered acceptable. b. Receipt of either Severe Disablement Allowance or Attendance Allowance. c. War Pensioners’ Mobility Allowance or War or Service Disablement pension for 80% or more disability. d. Blind or partially sighted registration certificate (BD8 or CV1 certificate) or evidence from an eye specialist, for example an optometrist, that the individual would qualify to be registered as severely sight impaired (blind) or sight impaired (partially sighted). Further advice can be found on the Royal National Institute of Blind people (RNIB) website. e. Confirmation in writing from social services that an individual is included on their Deaf Register, or a letter or report from an aural specialist confirming that hearing loss has been recorded at 75-80 dBl or worse. f. A personal letter from your GP, community nurse or social worker that the individual has a long term impairment or disability, and requires assistance. g. Confirmation in writing from Social Services that the individual has a learning difficulty or disability. This may include Proof of Registration with Social Services, or if not on the Local Authority Register, a letter from a doctor or support worker confirming that the individual has a difficulty in learning new skills, or may be unable to cope independently. For children – a letter from the head teacher at a special school confirming eligibility will be acceptable. This list is not exhaustive and consideration will be given to any other evidence that can be provided. Everton will use common sense and aims to provide a reasonable adjustment whenever required. Please note that receipt of a “Blue Badge” will not be considered sufficient proof of disability for ticketing purposes. The Disability Registration Forms, and any disabled supporters’ client information and references will only be used to make notes that will be stored in Everton’s database systems surrounding disabled supporters ticketing eligibility and any associated reasonable adjustment. This information may be reviewed from time to time based on the information provided, for example time sensitive validity of a doctor’s note or expiration of the DLA. These notes will remain strictly confidential and will only be viewed Everton representatives responsible for ticketing and accessibility purposes and these details will not be disclosed to any outside organisation or third party. Should you have any queries regarding the above please contact Brendan Connolly, on the details set out at the end of this document. EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB NIL SATIS NISI OPTIMUM DISABLED SUPPORTERS TICKETING POLICY - 2017/18 SEASON NOTHING BUT THE BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH v1.0 February 2017 ACCESSIBLE AREAS OF THE STADIUM: Easy Access and Amenity seating: Fans who have limited mobility but who do not need to use a wheelchair user place, fans who use an Assistance or Guide Dog, or fans who require another form of accessible seating are entitled to sit (with their PA if applicable) where they wish within the Stadium, in the same way as any other supporter. In order to assist fans, Everton has identified a number of seats which it considers most accessible. These seats have easy access including limited or no stepped access, extra legroom and/or specially trained stewards/staff on duty. Everton would encourage disabled supporters with specific access requirements to sit within these seats. This information is available from the Club Disability Liaison Officer and the ticket office.
Visiting disabled supporters with similar needs are encouraged to sit in the first two rows of the following seating areas of the Visitors Paddock:
• Block LV3, Rows 3 & 4, Seats 12 & 13 • Block LV4, Rows 3 & 4, Seats 66 & 67
• Block LV4, Rows 3 & 4, Seats 40 & 41
Access to Everton’s facilities and services cannot be denied to a disabled person unless there is a significant risk to the health and safety of that individual and/or others. Therefore Everton reserves the right to undertake a competent risk assessment by the stadium safety officer or another suitably qualified person in order to make any decisions regarding seating clear and safe for an individual, and in circumstances where a disabled supporter does not wish to sit in these more accessible areas. Wheelchair Users: There are three accessible entrances available to wheelchair supporters at the Stadium, all of which offer ground level access to wheelchair viewing facilities. Entrance 1 – Gwladys Street – Goodison Place Entrance 2 – Park end – Exit gate 2 Goodison Road Entrance 3 – Bullens Road- Ramp gate adjacent to Park stand and Bullens Road All three entrances are clearly signed with the accessible wheelchair symbol and open approximately 90 minutes prior to kick-off.
HOME SUPPORTERS: Wheelchair user places are located in the following areas:
• Park Stand: 49 (pitch side)
• Paddock: 48 (pitch side)
• Gwladys Street: 7 (pitch side level 1)
• Gwladys Street: 5 (level 2)
• Gwladys Street: 8 (level 3)
• Gwladys Street: 6 (level 4)
• Main Stand: 24 (block 1 & 2)
• Main Stand: 20 (block 4 & 5)
VISITING SUPPORTERS: Wheelchair user places are located in the lower visitors’ section on Bullens Road. A total of 13 pitch side positions are available, these seats have an adequate space or adjacent seat for a personal assistant which is provided to enable the PA to sit alongside the disabled supporter.
CONTACT AND LIAISON WITH DISABLED SUPPORTERS The Club’sDisability Ticketing Liaison Officeris Brendan Connolly who can be contacted via email at or alternatively by phone on 0151 530 5396. The Club’s Disability Access Officer is Michelle Kirk who can be contacted via email at or alternatively by phone on 0151 530 5261.