Action Day – World Autism Awareness Day
It’s 2 April, so we are calling all clubs, leagues and FAs to highlight their autism awareness education initiatives. We have gathered a few examples of how football organisations have worked with this topic across Europe on this topic.
Hundreds of thousands of landmarks, buildings, homes and communities all around the world are coming together today, to Light It Up Blue in recognition of people with autism and those who love and support them. Autism-friendly events and educational activities will take place throughout April, aiming to increase the understanding and acceptance of people with autism as well as to foster worldwide support and inspire a kinder, more inclusive world. So on this World Autism Awareness Day, let us all support each other and show our solidarity for people with autism.
Celtic FC
Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder more commonly referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder but also known as Autism Spectrum Condition. It is estimated that one in 100 children are on the Autism spectrum, individuals with the condition can encounter problems with communication, reciprocal social interaction and a tendency towards restrictive, repetitive and stereotypical routines of behaviour. Introduced in 2015, Ability Counts Autism features fun games, soft play, football and dance to engage children with autism, using physical activity and sport to develop social interaction, communication and balance and co-ordination skills. The project also helps improve self-confidence and decision making skills. To encourage this, Celtic Foundation have clear objectives for new participants with tailored sessions allowing them to easily settle into the routine of Ability Counts.
The Lions’ View Sensory Room is a free of charge, safe space for children and young people living with auditory, visual or sensory disorders, including autism and similar conditions. As well as providing a soundproof viewing area for 15 participants, the space features a host of state-of-the-art equipment designed to foster a calming, interactive environment to learn, develop and grow. Celtic FC Foundation’s Sensory Room has also drawn praise from equality organisation, The Shippey Campaign – a group advocating for the implementation of Sensory Rooms in football stadia across the UK.
Real Betis
Real Betis is creating a multisensory room in the Early Stimulation Centre of the Hermandad del Buen Fin.
Once again the solidarity of the Real Betis fans will make history. Real Betis Balompié will equip a multi-sensory room -to be called Real Betis Balompié- for the children who attend the Centro de Estimulación Precoz de la Hermandad del Buen Fin de Sevilla. The installation of this new room will be made possible thanks to part of the proceeds from the sale of Real Betis-Levante tickets, the match which kicked off the annual Disability Week organised by the club. Weeks before this match, Real Betis Balompié announced a ticket promotion for this match. By entering the code ‘discapacidad’, the fans collaborated in the donation of part of the equipment in this room at the Centro de Estimulación de la Hermandad de la Calle San Vicente. Thanks to the great participation of the fans, the Green and Whites Club will be able to fully equip the multi-sensory room that will bear the name of the club.
Multisensory stimulation rooms are environments where any person with or without disabilities can obtain therapeutic, recreational, social and educational benefits and improve the assimilation of the sensory information offered to them, optimising their relationship with the environment and their learning. This type of room offers a multitude of sensory experiences, such as light effects, a variety of sounds, tactile experiences and numerous activities that will encourage the interaction and participation of children. A room that in a few months will be a reality thanks to the green and white solidarity. With this action, the Club’s Disability Department takes another step forward in its work for a more inclusive society.
NAC Breda
Twenty children with an autism spectrum disorder from Breda and surroundings got the chance to experience a night out at NAC on Friday. They were allowed to be present at the match between NAC and Excelsior in the Rat Verlegh Stadium. Visiting a football match is often not possible for children with an autism spectrum disorder because they experience too many stimuli. Now that no supporters are allowed in the stadium, these children got a unique chance.
The Belgian Pro League used all the empty stadiums to offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience to these children. During NAC – SBV Excelsior, NAC followed this example.
Derby County
The support of Derby County’s fans who have backed the first-ever 1884 Wall, an installation outside the South Stand, has seen over £11,000 generated for the Pride Park Sensory Room.
Derby County Community Trust launched the new initiative to give fans the chance to purchase a space for their name at the stadium, with all proceeds allowing the ongoing costs of providing the Sensory Room to be covered, meaning more families are able to access the facility.
Opened in 2019, the room has been able to support many families to watch Derby County play first-hand, an experience many thought was unachievable.
It has also given some of those who have used the room to gain the confidence to go and watch the Rams in the stands, or even travel to an away day.
Aston Villa
The Sensory Rooms have been installed by the Aston Villa Foundation, who used the proceeds of two Fifty50 matchday draws together with funding from the Premier League and a donation from AViDS disabled supporters club. Lifelong Aston Villa fans Clark and George Simmons were the first family to try out Villa Park’s new Sensory Rooms at Sunday’s game against Norwich. Clark had bought tickets for the Fifty50 draw in support of the Sensory Rooms as it was a cause close to his heart, with his son George on the autistic spectrum, and he was offered the chance to test the new facilities ahead of their opening for the 2019/20 season.
“For me personally, it was an emotional experience as I have always wanted to bring George along to Villa Park but this would not have been possible as the noise and crowd levels from the stands would have been too much for George to manage.
HOW CAN YOUR CLUB CONTRIBUTE?
- Participate in the “Light it up Blue” campaign
- Celebrate staff involved in your autism programmes
- Launch a campaign for Autism Awareness
- Hosting webinars/online meetings to share resources
- Sending autism awareness resources to community organisations
- Highlight projects that support Autism Awareness in your community
- Wherever possible, create social media content (photos/videos) with initiatives concerning Autism Awareness
Please use #Morethanfootball and feel free to tag our #Morethanfootball social media accounts so we can share your posts and activities.
