The Football Association (FA) is to provide guidance to all clubs on how to improve access to grounds for people with disabilities ahead of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) which comes into effect in October next year.

A report by Richard Wood OBE highlights the responsibility of football clubs to meet the new requirements and recommends eight key areas for clubs to improve their service to fans with disabilities.

The areas include an audit of all stadia to comply with DDA legislation; a review of ticketing policies; health and safety; making disabled people aware of services and facilities available; compliance with legislation in merchandising and selling of match day packages; ensuring the activities of football academies and community football complies with legislation; consultation with disabled supporters clubs on issues and training – identifying a senior person to take responsibility for the development and implementation of an action plan involving managers, customer contact staff and stewards.

Chris Whalley, head of stadia, safety and security at the FA said: “All football clubs have duties under the DDA and further obligations will arise in October next year.

“The FA has produced this guide to help clubs understand and met the requirements of this legislation. The aim is not just to ensure clubs lessen the risk of possible prosecution but also that disabled customers have equal access to and enjoyment of clubs’ facilities.”

In January this year, the FA announced it will be investing £600,000 over the next three years into Disability Football in England. The money will be used to develop a grassroots infrastructure to create pan-disability coaching centres around the country as well as supporting the five elite national squads – blind, partially sighted, amputees, cerebral palsy and learning disabilities.

By the end of the year, the FA plans to launch a Disability Football Strategy 2003-7 containing targets towards becoming “the world’s leading governing body in the development of disability football.” Details: www.thefa.com