OUR VISION

"A Place for Every Football Fan"

500 million people live within the European Union (EU) alone and around 10% are disabled. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that within the UEFA geographical region there may be more than 100 million disabled people. At least 500,000 are likely to be football supporters - and they have the right to enjoy football in the same way as everyone else: the right to equality of access. This applies to football at all levels. More and more disabled supporters want to travel to UEFA matches and tournaments; as provisions improve, they will feel they can attend major tournaments like EURO 2012 alongside fellow supporters.

Building regulations and guidance varies considerably in each country including the provision for accessible public buildings. The European Standards that currently exist do not necessarily provide specific or detailed access guidance for sports stadia.

The standards of accessible facilities and services at existing football stadia at national and club level vary considerably.

Football has proven itself an excellent ambassador for change in other areas of diversity such as racism, with positive outcomes in countries with a previous history of inequality and abuse.

There is no doubt that football can do the same for disabled people in Europe. Many disabled people currently feel excluded from their communities, rarely leave their homes, are not empowered to contribute to the workforce, have low self esteems and may well feel very isolated.

A European organisation to support this ambition is now required to ensure equal access and inclusion for all existing and new disabled supporters across Europe.

CAFE has been established as a new European charity (registered in the UK) with a purpose to achieve equal access to football across Europe.

CAFE wants all disabled supporters to enjoy a football match as a problem-free experience: its aims are about inclusivity and equality of experience. And, because football embraces diversity in all its forms, CAFE believes it can raise disability awareness throughout Europe.

Aims of CAFE

To enable disabled people to follow football in Europe
To achieve equal access for all football supporters in Europe
To increase disability awareness and improve the lives of disabled people using the special influence of football within Europe
To establish a European network of disabled football supporters

'Europe' refers to the 53 member Football Associations of UEFA which extend beyond geographical Europe and include countries further afield such as Israel and Kazakhstan. CAFE will be working across this larger geographical area.

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OUR VISION

"A Place for Every Football Fan"

Aims of CAFE