Dave King Response #5

[ian1964 10,724]

LAST WEEK Rangers Chairman Dave King invited supporters to send in questions and below you can read the fifth part in series as he addresses the topics raised by fans:

Disabled Fans

 

A number of our disabled supporters, and others who have concerns about the facilities available for their disabled friends, have asked questions about what the Club is planning to do for them.

 

It is fully appreciated by the Board that the lack of investment by previous regimes (that we unfortunately have cause to regret on so many fronts) has also caused the current facilities to be less than adequate for disabled supporters. I confirm that the Club has already committed to make funds available to enhance significantly the overall matchday experience for disabled fans.

 

The degradation in facilities has happened over a protracted period of time and the committed improvement will also necessarily take time as the implementation entails some actions that can be undertaken quickly and others that require consultation and approval. The Board is 100% committed to making Ibrox fit for purpose for disabled fans.

 

The Club has established the “Disability Matters” Group to engage proactively with the Club on all issues affecting Disabled fans. The Group consists of supporters who are either disabled or care for supporters who are disabled, and includes two senior members of the Rangers management team, Liz Kay and Susan Hannah, who are to be commended for their work in this area.

 

Initial meetings have been very positive with several of the proposals put forward by the Group already implemented by the Club. These include:

 

Fan-led pricing proposals have been implemented for season 2016/17.

Parking arrangements for disabled fans that will allow parking closer to the stadium.

Access routes to the Stadium have been improved.

Dedicated “blue routes” for wheelchair fans have been created easing movement within the stadium concourses.

Dedicated stewards with specialist training have been allocated to the sections reserved for wheelchair users.

Stewards now take food and drink orders for wheelchair fans.

 

A Sensory Room is being constructed in the corner between the Sandy Jardine and the Broomloan Stands for families with young members with sensory processing disorders such as autism and it is hoped this will be completed by the start of the new season.

 

The Club will continue to work closely with the Disability Matters Group and consult on how best to implement improved facilities and the matchday experience for disabled fans.

 

http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/dave-king-response-5/

[Bluedell 5,624]

All sounds good.

 

Having been so impressed by Old Trafford's approach, it's good to see us moving in the right direction.

 

FS, what are the "Parking arrangements for disabled fans that will allow parking closer to the stadium"?

[the gunslinger 3,366]

All sounds good.

 

Having been so impressed by Old Trafford's approach, it's good to see us moving in the right direction.

 

FS, what are the "Parking arrangements for disabled fans that will allow parking closer to the stadium"?

Forlan practically parks on the touch line as it is

[forlanssister 3,114]

All sounds good.

 

Having been so impressed by Old Trafford's approach, it's good to see us moving in the right direction.

 

FS, what are the "Parking arrangements for disabled fans that will allow parking closer to the stadium"?

 

As far as I'm aware that won't be happening in time for next season, had it been possible to use the Edmiston House car park that would have accommodated the wheelchair users in the East Enclosure who currently park in the Albion. It had been hoped to bring all disabled parking onto the Ibrox footprint but that isn't possible at the moment. There are a very limited number of wheelchair parking spaces behind the Broomloan that are currently used but the vast majority are currently located in the Albion. A major problem of having them in the Albion is that it is quite dangerous crossing from the Albion especially after they close off Edmiston Drive.

 

I find King's response quite heart warming and indicative of the change in attitude from the Club towards the disabled supporters however there is still a long,long road to travel but the positive change in attitude is nonetheless most welcome.

 

I'll have an article on the current state of play and such-forth in the not too distant future.

[buster. 5,186]

Might be a very superficial point but the fact that the issues surrounding disabled supporters and their matchday experience come 5th in the DK pecking order of replies would seem to indicate that he sees it as a serious matter that really needs to be addressed properly.

[calscot 0]

Might be a very superficial point but the fact that the issues surrounding disabled supporters and their matchday experience come 5th in the DK pecking order of replies would seem to indicate that he sees it as a serious matter that really needs to be addressed properly.

 

I would imagine it was already on the agenda due UEFA rules although hopefully it's something that they personally agree needs addressing.

[Zappa 0]

As far as I'm aware that won't be happening in time for next season, had it been possible to use the Edmiston House car park that would have accommodated the wheelchair users in the East Enclosure who currently park in the Albion. It had been hoped to bring all disabled parking onto the Ibrox footprint but that isn't possible at the moment. There are a very limited number of wheelchair parking spaces behind the Broomloan that are currently used but the vast majority are currently located in the Albion. A major problem of having them in the Albion is that it is quite dangerous crossing from the Albion especially after they close off Edmiston Drive.

 

There's definitely a lot of wasted parking space at the Broomloan end.