It’s been a little while since I dug into the accessibility of women’s football for Beyond the Pitch – from audio descriptive commentary, to social media accessibility and everything in between. As a blind fan, it’s something that dictates my experience of matches, whether attending in person or tuning in from home. With that in mind, what has changed? Are there more steps that need to be taken? The short answer to those questions is yes. There’s been progress. There’s also been things that make us feel like we’re taking steps backwards. As a disabled fan, the latter hurts. I do know though, that progress is being made. And small steps help to drive bigger change.
Disability representation on the pitch
On the pitch, it feels like disability representation is becoming something that’s being recognised a lot more, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Leah Williamson has spoken openly about chronic illness and her personal experience of having endometriosis.
Lucy Bronze has spoken candidly about receiving an Autism and ADHD diagnosis, and Safia Middleton-Patel has similarly spoken about having Autism, and how this impacts her on and off the pitch. Both have become huge advocates for neurodiversity awareness in football. Hannah Hampton has reflected on having an eye condition, something that helped her Euros success even more remarkable.
Having some of the most high profile, world class players speak about disability is more than some of us could have only ever dreamt of. But they shouldn’t have to do it alone.
Disability shouldn’t feel like a shockwave moment.
There are some incredible disabled women footballers who aren’t having the spotlight. Take the Para Lionesses for example. They’re competing in tournaments across the world, yet their achievements don’t receive the recognition they deserve. All of this is a reminder that there’s a space for disabled women and girls in football. It also tells us that there’s still a long way to go.
Clubs need to pave the way in making football a sport for all
Ultimately, clubs have a duty when it comes to accessibility. If they make disabled fans feel welcome, provide the facilities and show fans they care, then this will undoubtedly increase the fanbase.
Take a group of friends attending a match for example.
If the club doesn’t have the provision to meet people’s access needs, then that impacts the group of friends. The club will miss out on money and the support. It does feel like we’re making some progress. Arsenal are leading the way in accessibility, from their longstanding commitment to accessibility and inclusion, having a sensory room and investing in audio descriptive commentary are just some of the ways they welcome disabled supporters.
Manchester City have also been praised for their accessibility. This season, Chelsea have partnered with Cadbury’s to include British Sign Language on screens at all their women’s and men’s home matches. However, this dedication to accessibility and inclusion feels like the minority, rather than the majority.
Only half of teams offer audio descriptive commentary for blind and visually impaired fans, excluding both home and away supporters who would benefit from the service. Of course, it does mean that half do offer the service. Yet, that’s a small amount when you think about football as a whole.
There’s a similar statistic for social media marketing. At the start of the 2025/26 season, less than half of clubs for their women’s team add alt text on their social media channels. This has declined over the last two seasons. What might seem small to most people, is a huge factor for disabled fans. If their marketing isn’t accessible, then are disabled fans really welcome in their stadium? Do they value our support?
Accessibility isn’t a tick-box exercise
Some people see accessibility as a tick-box exercise. If they offer x amount of spaces for wheelchair users, make their website accessible, or offer different ways of purchasing accessible tickets, these are all boxes ticked off a very long list.To disabled fans, accessibility is woven into every part of our lives. Whether that’s keeping up to date with team news, purchasing matchday tickets, purchasing merch, or attending a match.
Accessibility and inclusion will only have a positive impact on the game. When we reflect on the changes that have been made, it feels like we’ve made some steps forward, and some backwards.
Women’s football is growing at such a fast pace. And we have to make accessibility part of that growth. We can’t leave disabled fans behind. We can’t leave disability off the pitch either. Whether it’s a world class player or someone trying disability football for the first time, they matter. Their experiences are just as important, no matter the level.
Everyone has a duty to make the sport we love accessible for all. Clubs, the FA, the media, the list is endless. Accessibility is everyone’s responsibility, There’s never been a more better time to live that mantra in women’s football than right now.
