Unite For Access
Originally published in the official matchday programme for Manchester United v Crystal Palace, this article forms part of Manchester United’s support for Level Playing Field’s annual Unite For Access campaign.
The campaign highlights the importance of accessibility and inclusion for disabled supporters across football. As Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association (MUDSA), we are proud to have been featured in the programme and to work closely with the club to improve matchday experiences for disabled fans.
Manchester United is proud to support Level Playing Field’s (LPF) Unite For Access campaign, which celebrates and champions access and inclusion for all disabled fans.
The annual campaign, which this year runs from 28 February to 15 March, raises awareness of the barriers disabled fans face, champions good practice across sports venues, and encourages clubs and fans to take action to improve inclusion. Through campaign films and engagement with clubs, Unite For Access plays a vital role in driving meaningful change.
At Old Trafford, United’s head coach Michael Carrick wore a Unite For Access badge on the touchline, helping to raise awareness for Level Playing Field and the work it does advocating for and championing disabled supporters.
Accessibility and inclusion for all fans are important to Manchester United. In recent weeks, the club has begun improving accessibility at the Megastore following an Equality Impact Assessment. As part of this work, the club engaged with Level Playing Field, who visited the Megastore, and welcomed MUDSA to take part in an employee training day focused on pan‑disability accessibility.
United Women’s fixture against London City Lionesses on 15 February was also designated a Unite For Access fixture. A session was hosted focusing on the matchday experience, accessibility provision, and identifying what can be done to improve inclusion further.
The club’s current matchday accessibility offering is extensive and includes audio descriptive commentary, dedicated accessibility teams and access stewards, disability parking, and support for assistance dogs. There is also an Ability Suite located in the south‑east quadrant of Old Trafford, behind the accessible viewing platform.
For supporters visiting the Megastore, personal shoppers are available for those who require assistance. Supporters can email accessibility@manutd.co.uk with their Supporter ID or visit the Megastore customer service desk to find out more.
Manchester United Foundation also delivers a wide range of inclusive programmes in the community. These include Ability Counts, a pan‑disability football programme for players aged 5–25 held at The Cliff training ground; Inclusive Street Reds, offering free mixed‑ability football sessions powered by Premier League Kicks; powerchair football; and FA para‑talent sessions providing opportunities for participants with visual impairments, hearing impairments and cerebral palsy. The Foundation also works in partnership with eight SEND schools across Greater Manchester.
WE ALL LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER – IT’S FANTASTIC
We spoke to lifelong Red and Manchester United Disabled Supporters’ Association (MUDSA) Committee member Dave Wood about his experiences attending matches and becoming fully reliant on a wheelchair.
Dave became a wheelchair user in 2021. Reflecting on his return to Old Trafford, he said: “When I got my head around attending games with a wheelchair, I started to look at things differently.”
Dave explained that attending Old Trafford for the first time in a wheelchair was daunting and that he had not done much research beforehand. However, he praised the support he received and the positive experiences that followed.
After a challenging start, Dave says his matchday experience quickly improved as he became more familiar with the processes and support available. Being able to make new friends, maintain his lifelong passion for United, and feel part of a community made a huge difference.
Now an active member of MUDSA, Dave attends both home and away games and encourages others to get involved. He said:
“We all sit up in the Stretford End now, and it’s a massive part of our day getting into the stadium early. We sit around and have a gossip, we talk about football, we talk about our personal lives. We all look out for each other – it’s fantastic.”
Dave also reflected on how perspective plays a role in accessibility and understanding: “If you are disabled, just take a deep breath and do a little bit more research on things. I think if I’d done that earlier, I’d have felt differently.”