The Updated UEFA Accessibility Guidelines Available Now

The Updated UEFA Accessibility Guidelines Available Now

UEFA has released updated guidelines to ensure that European football and its infrastructure are accessible to everyone who wishes to participate.

The UEFA Accessibility Guidelines focus on integrating accessibility across all aspects of football, including infrastructure, operational processes, workforce training, services, and matchday activities. Originally published in 2011, these guidelines have been updated to provide the most relevant and recent resources.

This initiative is designed to assist stakeholders within the football community—such as national associations, leagues, and clubs—in proactively removing barriers that prevent individuals of all abilities from fully participating in and contributing to the game.

The comprehensive update to the guidelines is based on extensive experience from various events, tournaments, and infrastructure projects. This effort continues UEFA’s long-standing partnership with AccessibALL, formerly known as the Centre for Access to Football in Europe (CAFE), and represents a significant step toward UEFA’s goal of ensuring barrier-free access for anyone who wants to play, attend events, or work in football.

The guidelines highlight the importance of a strategic approach to accessibility in football, offering a thorough overview of requirements and processes. By advocating for collaborative action to enhance accessibility across European football, UEFA encourages the entire football community, from infrastructure owners and operators to event organizers and Disability Access Officers, to engage with the material.

Technological advancements, evolving social expectations, and feedback from fans of all abilities have been considered in the updated guidelines, which are intended to be a resource for both modifying existing infrastructure and ensuring that new stadiums and services are fully accessible. Accompanying the guidelines is a specific accessibility checklist, which serves as a practical tool for integrating accessibility considerations from the early planning stages. These guidelines are aligned with UEFA’s “Football For All Abilities” ambition, one of the 11 policies outlined in its Football Sustainability Strategy 2030, ‘Strength Through Unity.’

To further enhance the reach and impact of these guidelines, UEFA is committed to translating them into 35 European languages. Additionally, UEFA has invested in a specific disability-related module within the OUTRAGED project, reinforcing its dedication to accessibility in football.

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