English Football League side Fulham FC joins a growing number of sports organizations that are making efforts to introduce and improve accessibility at its home games by announcing it will provide support and equipment for fans with sensory needs.
Through a partnership with US-based non-profit Kulture City it will improve the matchday experience for fans with sensory needs such as autism, ADHD, or Downs syndrome with kits that contain noise-canceling headphones, cue cards and fidget toys.
Kulture City will also provide training for staff at Fulham FC to help support stewards and facility consultation to cater to fans’ needs.
Kulture City has been partnered with a wide range of professional sports teams in the US and around the world including the National Basketball Association (NBA) since 2017, with its mission to make all NBA arenas ‘sensory inclusive.’ Kulture City is also currently partnered with several other professional sports teams and venues in the United States, including NFL (American Football) and NHL (Ice Hockey) franchises.
“This is a really significant partnership for Fulham and I am personally really happy that Fulham is the first UK based sports club to partner with Kulture City,” said Tony Khan, Fulham FC’s director of football.
“The organization has done some amazing work in the US collaborating with teams to help deliver sensory inclusivity at major sports events. We are ready to start working with Kulture City at Fulham and to continue our commitment of making Craven Cottage a venue that is accessible to everyone.
The company is responsible for helping sports stadia build sensory rooms, which offer fans a quiet and calm space equipped with sensory equipment and trained staff. While a success already in the US, these are now being more widely offered with the UK also with top-flight teams such as Manchester City, Arsenal, Brighton and Hove Albion, and more introducing them.
“Our communities are what shape our lives and to know that the Fulham Football Club is willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone, no matter their ability, is included in their community is amazing. We are thrilled that Fulham Football Club will be the first venue to be certified in the UK,” said Uma Srivastava, chief operating officer at Kulture City.
