Supporters with disabilities
Chesterfield FC wants the SMH Group Stadium to be the most accessible sporting venue in the country.
Supporters with disabilities will pay the same ticket price as all supporters but the club will make reasonable adjustments to support their visit to the SMH Group Stadium.
The club endorses the support of personal assistants (carers) to support those with disabilities. While each case is looked at on an individual basis the award of Disability Living Allowance at the medium or higher rate or the enhanced rate of Personal Independence Payment will automatically suggest the need for a carer ticket in fans aged fourteen and over. Where a carer ticket is issued this will be an additional uncharged ticket for the supporter with a disability.
At present personal assistant tickets are not available to buy online. The retrospective checking of tickets is not practical. Please call in person or telephone to purchase these tickets.
Wheelchair users
There are spaces for wheelchair users and their personal assistants in every stand. These wheelchair terraces are on three levels.
There are also accessible toilets covering all stands and a Changing Places facility in the HUB.
Wheelchairs, scooters and walkers are accommodated at the top of the East and West Stands, on raised platforms on the North and South Stands and at pitch side on the South and West Stands.
Visiting wheelchair users are accommodated at the front of block E2.
The wheelchair spaces are not shown for online purchases to avoid mistaken purchases. This means face-to-face or telephone booking for these spaces and the personal assistants (carers).
Where there are those using walking aids or that transfer from wheelchairs and scooters to seats then the lower wheelchair terraces can be used for storage. Stewards will assist as needed.
Additional seats for family and friends will be situated as close to the wheelchair user as possible.
Ambient disabilities
Support and reasonable adjustments will also be offered to those with ambient disabilities. We work with the blind and partial sighted, D/deaf fans, those with mobility issues, fans with learning disabilities and the neuro-diverse. We also recognise there are supporters with hidden disabilities.
There are no handrails to get to seats except at the very ends of the stands. Supporters with mobility issues might consider seats near the ends of stands.
Partial sighted supporters
We will work with blind supporters who have some vision to try and facilitate the best seats for their condition.
Commentary headsets
For the blind and partial sighted there is an audio service offering free commentary headsets.
If you contact the Disability Liaison Officer headsets can be delivered to seats.
Quiet Area
Any supporters, particularly those with neuro-diverse conditions or mental health issues are welcome to move from the seated areas into the community HUB where the match is shown in a quite area. Stewards will facilitate this movement.
Visiting supporters
Visiting fans who have disabilities, including wheelchair users, will be seated with other visiting fans. For all supporters with disabilities there will be the opportunity for family and friends to sit close by.
Where tickets for visiting supporters are sold by their club this will include the wheelchair spaces and any personal assistant tickets.
There is a handrail on the stairway to the left of block E1, the seats at that end start with number 1. Row C in block E2 as accessible for those with mobility issues. If that block is not open for your fans then please contact the Disability Liaison Officer.
Car parking
Car parking at the SMH Group Stadium is limited as most spaces are sold for the season. Four disabled parking spaces are reserved for visiting supporters. These are close to the entry point for away fans. These may be sold to home fans if not purchased 48 hours before the match.
Matchday hospitality
Wheelchair users in the lounges will watch the match from the upper terrace in block C2. We will try and accommodate customers with mobility issues in appropriate seats.
As these seats are premium purchase, with food and entertainment in many cases, there are not automatic personal assist tickets. An adjustment based on ticket prices might be made on request.
Tickets, refreshments and shop
All parts of the stadium are accessible. The concourse food counters and ticket office have lower level points suitable for wheelchairs. The shop is flat and has a drop-down counter if needed.
Assistance dogs
Chesterfield FC welcomes assistance dogs to matches and events at the stadium.
Assistance dogs are not pets. Thousands of people rely on an assistance dog to help them with day-to-day activities that many others take for granted. It is not only blind people who are helped by assistance dogs; they are also trained to help those with hearing loss, epilepsy, diabetes, physical mobility problems and more. Assistance dogs carry out a variety of practical tasks for people, as well as supporting their independence and confidence.
These dogs are trained, will not wander freely around the stadium, will sit or lie quietly on the floor next to its owner and are trained to go to the toilet on command and so are unlikely to foul in a public place. We have spending areas outside of the stadium and stewards and staff will facilitate the use of these.
Most are instantly recognisable by the harness or identifying dog jacket they wear but not all dogs wear these.
The wheelchair terraces or front rows of seating are the most suitable for assistance dogs, but we realise this might no suit everyone. We will try and site customers with assistance dogs in a place most appropriate.
However, if the dog is not kept under control or appears to be distressed in the environment, we would be required to ask for the dog to be removed from the area but would look, where possible, to provide alternate seating.
We suggest, where possible, that if you need to bring an assistance dog with you to the Stadium, you inform us prior to the event, this assists with our planning to ensure we best assist you when you come to the event. Please contact the Disability Liaison Officer.
Chesterfield FC supports charities training assistance dogs and will work with them in their training exercises and in publicising their projects.
Disability Liaison Officer
For all queries around access and supporters with disabilities should be directed to the Disability Liaison Officer, Peter Whiteley, [email protected]