#MORETHANFOOTBALL: Day of action on accessibility

In the South Stand at the BayArena there are a total of 40 places available for people with mobility problems who have to use wheelchairs. Of course, this also includes a seat for each carer. "The service for the disabled is equally as important to a football club as the exclusive space for a VIP guest or a beer for the fan. Happily this service is now a common thing and standard in the stadiums," reports the Bayer 04 fan and disabled liaison officer Andreas 'Paffi' Paffrath.

Each away club receives five tickets for the wheelchair spaces and the other 35 spaces are on a waiting list and people can register their interest via the Bayer 04 hotline.

service for the blind at the BayArena

Bayer 04 have provided a service for the blind in association with the 'Sehhunde' fan club since 1999. Blind and visually impaired fans can follow home games in a special section of the South Stand. To be able to follow the course of the game to the maximum, there are specially trained reporters for the blind. "I take off my hat to how our blind fans are able to analyse a game. You can't recognise they haven't seen a single incident," said Andreas 'Paffi' Paffrath.

A total of 20 seats in the South Stand have been set up so that visually impaired fans can receive an audio commentary via a headphone connection. Tickets for this section are also available via the Bayer 04 hotline.

BLOCK F5 set up for deaf supporters

There have also been 24 allocated seats in Block F5 for the deaf and hard of hearing since the 2017/2018 season. People with hearing problems can show picture cards at the food outlets to facilitate the process of ordering food and drink. There are also assistants trained in sign language available in Block F5.

ACTION WEEKS with THEME days

The #morethanfootball Action Weeks started on Monday 21 March and run to 14 April. The aim is to highlight how football clubs can live up to their social commitment through a range of activities. The global project initiated by the European Football for Development Network offers participating clubs and organisations the opportunity through a range of theme days to inform their supporters and fans of their own activities in the area of community and social responsibility both on and off the pitch and thereby increase awareness of the role of football within society.

The Werkself took part in the campaign last year. Bayer 04 will again present a range of activities on the forthcoming theme days. That includes today's on accessibility with others covering the subjects of social inclusion awareness, sustainability and climate protection, mental health and much more.

Andrich and Wirtz as club ambassadors

The Werkself and the Bayer 04 Women’s team have also draw attention to the Action Weeks in their recent home games. In addition, the campaign is being supported this year by the Werkself player Robert Andrich and Juliane Wirtz of the Bayer 04 Women's team in their roles as ambassadors.

Robert Andrich: "Football is more than just 90 minutes. I've been impressed by the many projects already running here at Bayer 04 on a wide range of themes – whether that's diversity, sustainability or inclusion. For me that's an essential element these days. As a football club you have the chance to use your charisma for important community and social issues. It's about responsibility and active tolerance – on and off the pitch. That's what we stand for."

Juliane Wirtz: "We all began playing football for the same reasons – for fun and love of the game and we are all the same in that respect. Therefore I think it's important that I as an individual and also the club not only stand up for diversity in football during the weeks of action but also for 365 days a year. I'm happy that campaigns like this provide a suitable stage for socially relevant subjects."