The main goal of the CAFE Week of Action is a celebration of handicapped people and showing their important role not only inside the sports world but also in our society. The annual 10th year of this campaign took place between the 12th and 20th of March also with the active participation of Sparta. We prepared a few things for them during the home league match against Pardubice. The part of the pre-match program belonged to them while the moderator highlighted the presence of healthy disabled supporters and also interviewed them.
He asked them about conditions and barrier-free access they have in Generali Česká pojišťovna Arena. One of the respondents was Artur: “The conditions have been improving since I first came here, which was approximately six years ago. I can feel the difference.”
His friend Jan, who also uses a wheelchair, added: “The conditions in Letná, Teplice, and Slavia are the best for us in comparison to the other clubs in the Czech Republic. The rest of the stadiums have seats near to the pitch where it is dangerous, and we have complicated accesses there too.”
There was a person from Sparta with handicapped fans during the whole match. He spent time with them, interviewed them for this article, and also for other content, people will find in the print and electronic magazine Sparta do toho! for the game against Ostrava. People with eye problems have access to audio commentary during the whole season. Except for that, there is during the whole ninety minutes of each match helper Anička who is ready to help all handicapped people with everything they need. “It is mostly about bringing drinks and food from the snack bar and it works in a way, they give me money and I will bring them what they want. Most of them come here regularly, so we already know each other, and they just call me or show me a gesture and I come. If someone new comes, I will introduce myself and explain what my duty is here and tell them where all necessary places are situated. I constantly ask them if they need help with anything during the match.” Our mascot Rudy stopped to cheer them a few times during the match against Pardubice.
The posts on social media in connection with our participation in the CAFE Week of Action contain the hashtag #TotalAccess which is not only the motto of the campaign, but it represents what this campaign wants to reach. We are planning to solve deficiencies for healthy disabled supporters that still exist at our stadium in the future. Our goal is clear, to support handicapped fans, so they can enjoy the best and the most comfortable experience during watching their favourite club and let them know, they have and will always do have their place at our stadium!
