Match Buddy - Accessibility Update

DAFC is committed to ensuring that East End Park is both accessible and welcoming to all supporters with a disability – not just those in a wheelchair.

Dunfermline Athletic launched a “Match Buddy” initiative on Saturday 14th March, to further assist the enjoyment of our loyal supporters on match day.

The Buddies will be stationed at each disabled viewing platform, and will be easily identified by their “Match Buddy” hi-viz vest, which were kindly donated by Engineering Agencies.

Clover Bell and Erin Burns are both unpaid volunteers, and have recently undertaken appropriate training to undertake this valuable role. Everyone at DAFC would like to thank Clover and Erin for offering their services and wish them success in their new role.

Our new Match Buddies are there to assist supporters with a disability, if they need help to:
• Buy food/beverages from the kiosks
• Buy match tickets, programmes or 50/50 tickets
• Buy goods from the Club Shop
• Find a seat or an accessible toilet
• Keep warm with a fleece “chill-cheater” blanket
• Collect or return an audio commentary headset

Clover Bell is seen pictured assisting two well –kent faces in the Norrie McCathie Stand viewing platform on Saturday

On the Shelf

Following a suggestion from disabled fan Iain Bentley, shelves have now been fitted at both viewing platforms in the Norrie Stand, and at the Away fans’ platform in the SE Enclosure.

These are a great help to those wheelchair users who find it difficult to balance their half-time pie and Bovril, and are just the latest initiative from the Pars to enhance the matchday experience for our disabled fans. The money to pay for the shelves was generously donated to the club by a group of fans (Adam, Alan, Dave, Deborah, Iain, John and Russ), and the shelves were installed by AK Moyes.

Match Day Hospitality

Four disabled Pars fans (Stuart Shanks, Kay Smillie, Nicola Campbell and Dave Nugent) and their companions were winners of a complimentary DAFC hospitality package on Saturday, in a free competition run by the supporters’ Disabled Access Group.

This is the second such event this season following another successful day on 17 January against Airdrie.

Thanks to the generosity of Bill Menzies at ESL Services Ltd and five of the DAFC Directors, the fans enjoyed a superb Kingdom Club meal provided by Royal Bengal.

For further information about matter regarding accessibility at East End Park please contact DAFC’s Disability Champion, Ishbel Russell DAFCdisability@dafc.co.uk