Bold statement first: Inclusion in football isn’t a bonus feature—it’s essential, and Arsenal’s approach shows how accessibility can transform a live sports experience for disabled fans. But here’s where it gets controversial: some clubs still treat accessibility as an afterthought rather than a core part of the fan experience. This piece reimagines how one club has addressed those gaps, with practical examples and clear explanations that beginners can grasp.
Different but the same: how Arsenal keep disabled fans in the game
Thomas Clements’ memory of his first trip to Highbury in 1995 is vivid. He recalls Ian Wright scoring as QPR fell, his dad Kevin nearby, and Clements perched on his shoulders in the North Bank. For many fans, that scene is nostalgic; for Clements, it underscores how much planning and support go into attending a match when you have a disability. Born with cerebral palsy, which affects movement and posture, Clements relies on a mobility scooter and uses his Arsenal experience as a case study in inclusive matchday planning.
What makes a matchday truly accessible goes beyond simply buying a ticket. Although many ticket holders can navigate travel, food, friends, and entry with ease, disabled supporters often face subtle barriers: getting to the stadium, coordinated assistance, and on-site support that meets specific needs. At Arsenal, these elements are treated as essential parts of the game day, not optional add-ons.
Today, Clements, who works as a physical education teacher and coach across cricket, football, and basketball, speaks from a disabled supporters’ lounge just a short distance from the pitch. He emphasizes that Arsenal’s attention to small details—clear guidance, staff readiness, and available assistance—makes a huge difference in his experience. He notes, “Without these little extra touches, the matchday experience wouldn’t be what it is. Whatever you need help with, Arsenal will sort it out. They make it seamless. It makes a massive difference.”
Another key player in this story is Andrew Birch, founder of Game Day Vision. His spark came from a concert at Tottenham’s stadium, where accessibility for visually impaired fans stood out, but getting to and from the venue was difficult. Birch realized that many fans attend with a regular companion, yet there are times when that person isn’t available or someone attends alone and might get lost or face danger.
Birch contacted Arsenal’s disability access manager, Aaron Heskins, with a simple idea: create a service that supports fans who don’t have a regular matchday partner or who are without a companion at certain times. By that weekend, a beta version of the service was already in place. Since then, Game Day Vision has expanded to work with other clubs, including West Ham, Colchester United, Ipswich Town, and Crystal Palace. Birch admits that logistical challenges can arise—delays in trains or a missing phone can complicate arrangements—but the core idea remains valuable: bespoke support for every fan who needs it.
What began as a service for people with sight impairment is now broadening to cover a wider range of disabilities. Birch stresses that “Everyone needs bespoke help.” Users can request assistance from home or at a station, and Birch works to arrange the necessary support. Early adopters like Matthew Shaw, who travels from Norwich for every game, can attest to the difference: “I can’t do without them. Coming on your own is no fun. It’s nice to meet up with people.” Shaw’s regular companion is Tony Saunders, a videographer who helped promote the service; over the past two seasons, Saunders has been among about 40 volunteers helping keep the system running.
Saunders also sometimes accompanies Daniel Bailey, chair of the Arsenal Disabled Supporters’ Association, who travels from Exeter to claim his seat on the North Bank. Bailey’s story is deeply personal: football is a lifeline, a form of escapism. The association itself has close to 600 members, spanning hearing, visual, and physical disabilities.
When members report problems, the association liaises with Arsenal to resolve them. Bailey, who is independent yet values the security of having an assisting guide, highlights football as a central thread in his life. He also praises a specialist radio service provided by Alan March Sport, which caters specifically to blind and visually impaired fans with a level of description that mainstream commentary often lacks.
On the gantry, Manus Bonner-Tymms serves as a regular commentator, a role he found after seeing an online advertisement from Arsenal. Having passed selection and training, he now considers it a weekly highlight. The commentary setup is distinctive: two voices share duties, with a focus on granular, ball-first descriptions rather than a traditional analyst-lead format.
Arsenal has led the way in integrating accessibility features, though they’re not alone among Premier League clubs. As Heskins notes, the league’s clubs “compete on the field but not off it.” Clements even praises access services at rival clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham, underscoring that inclusion can—and should—be a league-wide standard.
The commitment is collaborative. Heskins and other Premier League disability access managers meet twice a year to share ideas and plan improvements. If a club sees a successful approach elsewhere, they’re encouraged to adopt and adapt it.
Inside the Emirates, accessibility is woven into the matchday fabric. The pitchside broadcast uses full British Sign Language, and big screens display BSL as well. Arsenal pioneered this approach, and others have followed. Exterior features include tactile pathways to guide fans around the stadium and summer-installed hearing loops on concourses. Deaf fans can connect cochlear implants via Bluetooth, reducing background noise to ease social interactions. An audio-only version of the program is available every matchday.
Collectively, these measures create a broader equivalence: fans with disabilities aren’t treated as outsiders; they’re recognized as part of the stadium’s community. Clements puts it plainly: “You are different, but you are the same.” The goal is to normalize inclusion to the point that fans can enjoy football with the same sense of belonging as any other attendee.
Arsenal’s example illustrates a broader truth: clubs can be both competitive and welcoming, delivering practical adaptations that empower disabled fans to participate fully. The result is more than just improved access—it’s a more vibrant, diverse, and loyal fan base.
Discussion prompts: Do you think more clubs should adopt similar comprehensive accessibility programs? Which aspects of Arsenal’s approach would you prioritize if you were designing an accessibility plan for a stadium? Share your thoughts in the comments.
