Disabled Supporter Information - Accessibility Policy

To help us meet your needs, please complete a Reasonable Adjustment Form and provide appropriate supporting documentation. This ensures that accommodations are properly allocated to those who need them, allowing us to provide the best experience possible for all supporters.

If you need assistance completing this form or would like a paper copy, please call 01332 667528 or visit the Ticket Office.

Below are some of the key reasonable adjustments we provide. For more details, please consult our Access Statement (all reasonable adjustments are subject to availability & qualification).

Personal Assistant Ticket: A complimentary ticket can be provided for Personal Assistants accompanying disabled supporters (please refer to the ‘Personal Assistant’ dropdown below for further information).

Accessible Parking: Accessible parking spaces are located on both the west and east sides of the stadium. Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please call 01332 667528 for more information and to book a space.

Transportation: The club operates a free shuttle service using buggies to transport supporters who need extra help from either Car Park A or around the stadium perimeter to various parts of the stadium. This service runs up to kick-off and resumes after the final whistle, although supporters should note that due to congestion, the shuttle may suspend operation for a brief period for safety reasons.

Accessible Entrance: Accessible entrances are available in all four stands.

Accessible Toilets: Accessible toilets are available in all four stands. All accessible toilets operate using a ’radar’ key system. We would advise supporters to bring their own ‘radar’ access key to facilitate access.

Accessible Seating/Wheelchair Spaces: We provide a range of accessible seating/wheelchair space options for wheelchair users and ambulant supporters in all four stands.

Induction Loop Facilities: The club has induction loop equipment in most customer contact points at Pride Park Stadium. On matchdays, information will be carried out on the big screen and via the public address system.

Audio Descriptive Commentary: Available for blind or partially sighted supporters. Reserve a receiver 24 hours before the match.

Ear Defenders: Ear defenders are available to hire, please call 01332 667528 to reserve a pair.

Assistance Dogs: Supporters attending with an assistance dog should notify the Disability Access Officer in advance to ensure suitable arrangements are in place.

Please find below a list of supporting documentation we may consider when reviewing a reasonable adjustment application:

• Receipt of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement (or government standard equivalent).

• Receipt of Personal Independence Payments (PIP)

• Receipt of either the Severe Disablement Allowance or Attendance Allowance. War

Pensioners' Mobility Allowance or War or Service Disablement Pension for 80% or more disability.

• Blind or partially sighted registration certificate (BD8 or CVI 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.

• A personal letter from the GP, community nurse or social worker that the individual has a long-term impairment or ‘disability' and requires assistance.

• Confirmation in writing from Social Services that the individual is included on their Deaf Register, or a letter or report from an aural specialist confirming that hearing loss has been recorded at 70 – 95 dBHL or worse.

• The Access Card (if a Personal Assistant is required, the card would need to show the +1 symbol)

Please note this list is not exhaustive and consideration will be given to any other evidence that can be provided. For guidance, the club advises supporters to refer to the Level Playing Fields website.

The club reserves the right to seek additional proof of disability where there is an element of reasonable doubt, for the reasonable adjustment/s requested.

At Derby County Football Club, we take our responsibilities toward disabled supporters very seriously. We recognise that for some of our supporters to take advantage of all that we have to offer, they may need support from another person. As such, it is our policy that where this is the case, we make available complimentary tickets which will enable a disabled supporter to bring a personal assistant with them to support them with their needs.

It is important to understand that the Personal Assistant Ticket is not a concessionary ticket or ‘2-for-1’ deal but is a reasonable adjustment made by the club to enable a disabled supporter to access the full range of match day and event services more easily (in consideration of UK legislation as described in the Equality Act 2010).

The only criteria for receiving a complimentary Personal Assistant Ticket is that you must have someone accompanying you to ensure you receive the same quality of service as a non-disabled person due to your disability. Please note that this does not apply to temporary disabilities, such as a broken leg.

Please note that a personal assistant, on their own, is not entitled to any benefits normally associated with a Season Ticket, this includes any renewal benefit or the purchase of match tickets during priority sale periods.

Requesting A Free Personal Assistant Ticket

Since this scheme is potentially subject to fraudulent misuse, we have to operate a system to check eligibility for a complimentary ticket. To apply, a Reasonable Adjustment Form will need to be completed and you will also be required to submit appropriate supporting documentation to our Disability Access Officer.

The Role of A Personal Assistant/Essential Companion

By accepting the complimentary Personal Assistant Ticket, the disabled supporter’s companion accepts responsibility for providing the support they need to attend a match. This includes being able to provide additional assistance during an emergency evacuation.

The stewards at the match are unable to provide assistance in excess of their typical role, therefore, it is important that, if the disabled supporter requires help moving around, the personal assistant is ready and willing to support them with this.

When entering the stadium, the personal assistant must enter at the same time as the disabled supporter. Although a disabled supporter can enter the stadium by themselves, the personal assistant will not be admitted without being in the presence of the disabled supporter.

Young Carers

It is the policy of Pride Park Stadium's Ground Regulations that all children under the age of 16 are accompanied by an appropriate adult, aged 18 and over. We accept that young carers are a much valued and needed source of support, but we are only able to accept them providing that this has been authorised by the club’s Disability Access Officer.

If the need for a Personal Assistant Ticket is something related to a potential deterioration in the disabled supporter’s condition, then a Personal Assistant Ticket may not be authorised for anyone under the age of 16.

If the disabled supporter attends a match with a personal assistant under the age of 16 or if there is doubt in the absence of valid photo ID, we reserve the right to refuse admission. This does not apply where there are other adults in the party able to accept responsibility for the young carer.

Contingency – What Happens If You Lose Your Support

It is important that the disabled supporter and their personal assistant are aware of what happens if for some reason the disabled supporter loses their support.

If it is felt that the personal assistant is not providing the disabled supporter with the support they need, we reserve the right to eject them from the stadium at any time and refuse access for future matches.

We will endeavour to support the disabled supporter for the rest of their visit, if this is the case, however, if we are unable to make appropriate reasonable adjustments to do this and it jeopardises the disabled supporter, or other supporters, health or safety, we may be left with no other option than to ask that the disabled supporter leaves too. It is especially important that you choose the right support to come with you.

Abusing the System

If we feel that either the disabled supporter or their personal assistant is abusing the system, we reserve the right to treat the matter as fraud and look at bringing legal action.

This may result in tickets for future games being confiscated. Every accessible space taken up by somebody that does not need it represents a disabled supporter missing out.

Personal Assistant tickets are transferable; however, tickets for the disabled supporter are not. Should any disabled supporter or personal assistant be found to be abusing this or any of the other terms & conditions within this policy, the club reserves the right to deny admittance and may take further action.

For more information regarding ‘upgrading’ a Personal Assistant Ticket (if required) or for

any other enquiry please contact the Ticket Office, presented by SeatGeek, on 01332 667528.

Disabled supporters can purchase a season or a match day ticket (subject to availability) at the appropriate age-band price, which may include a complimentary Personal Assistant Ticket, if needed (subject to qualification). For more details, please refer to the ‘Personal Assistant’ dropdown above..

If you need assistance or guidance with purchasing tickets, please refer to our Accessible Ticketing & Membership Purchasing Guide.

Disabled supporters can enjoy matches at Pride Park Stadium, choosing any hospitality package to suit their needs.

Disabled supporters that require a personal assistant to accompany them within a hospitality area shall receive a complimentary Personal Assistant Match Ticket (subject to qualification). All other elements of the hospitality package are charged at the appropriate price.

Wheelchair users are advised to speak to a Hospitality Sales Representative to ensure the best package is offered and that the chosen package has access to an available wheelchair space.

If you have specific access or dietary requirements, please email [email protected] or call 01332 667525, prior to booking.

Supporters with temporary disabilities should contact our Disability Team on 01332 667528 to discuss accessible seating or alternative arrangements.

We are dedicated to enhancing accessibility at Pride Park Stadium and welcome feedback.

If you experience any changes in your condition or contact information, please notify us to help us provide ongoing support.

For more details, please review Derby County Football Club’s full Terms & Conditions of Sale and Ground Regulations on our website.