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"I want more disabled fans to enjoy live football" 'I want more disabled fans to enjoy live football'
(about 2 hours later)
Laura Cameron has developed sensory packets to help disabled supportersLaura Cameron has developed sensory packets to help disabled supporters
"I wanted to make live football games more inclusive for fans with additional needs," explains Notts County fan Laura Cameron."I wanted to make live football games more inclusive for fans with additional needs," explains Notts County fan Laura Cameron.
The 46-year-old, who has followed the Magpies for the last two years, is behind new sensory packs being handed out to fans at matches.The 46-year-old, who has followed the Magpies for the last two years, is behind new sensory packs being handed out to fans at matches.
The packs are designed to make watching live football more accessible for people with additional needs.The packs are designed to make watching live football more accessible for people with additional needs.
They contain headphones, fidget toys, photos and symbols, and the club has described the move as a great step forward in making it more accessible for disabled supporters.They contain headphones, fidget toys, photos and symbols, and the club has described the move as a great step forward in making it more accessible for disabled supporters.
Miss Cameron, secretary of the Notts County Disabled Supporters Association, said the packs were handed out for the first time at Meadow Lane for last Saturday's game against Bromley.Miss Cameron, secretary of the Notts County Disabled Supporters Association, said the packs were handed out for the first time at Meadow Lane for last Saturday's game against Bromley.
They will now be offered at every home game.They will now be offered at every home game.
Miss Cameron said she chose what was included in the packs based on personal experience, which has included work as a special needs teacher.Miss Cameron said she chose what was included in the packs based on personal experience, which has included work as a special needs teacher.
She said: "Live environments can be really overwhelming for people with additional needs because of all of the noise, lighting and large numbers of people.She said: "Live environments can be really overwhelming for people with additional needs because of all of the noise, lighting and large numbers of people.
"In these packets, the headphones will muffle loud sounds for people who get overstimulated, and picture symbols are often [used] to help people who struggle with communication."In these packets, the headphones will muffle loud sounds for people who get overstimulated, and picture symbols are often [used] to help people who struggle with communication.
"Families might leave these things at home and forget about them, and by having these here, they no longer need to worry.""Families might leave these things at home and forget about them, and by having these here, they no longer need to worry."
The club currently has sensory rooms, but they are in the executive box area, which Miss Cameron said can be difficult for people with mobility issues to reach.The club currently has sensory rooms, but they are in the executive box area, which Miss Cameron said can be difficult for people with mobility issues to reach.
She added: "We know the difference that football makes to disabled fans - everyone wants to escape for 90 minutes, and we want this to help them enjoy the game as much as anyone else should."She added: "We know the difference that football makes to disabled fans - everyone wants to escape for 90 minutes, and we want this to help them enjoy the game as much as anyone else should."
Dennis is one of the young fans who has benefitted from the sensory packetsDennis is one of the young fans who has benefitted from the sensory packets
Among the first fans to make use of the packs was Dennis.Among the first fans to make use of the packs was Dennis.
His dad Wayne said: "A big thing for Dennis is the noiseHis dad Wayne said: "A big thing for Dennis is the noise
"The sheer volume when someone scores a goal means he struggles to celebrate openly with everyone else because it is too loud."The sheer volume when someone scores a goal means he struggles to celebrate openly with everyone else because it is too loud.
"But with these headphones, these sounds are much quieter and won't put him off."But with these headphones, these sounds are much quieter and won't put him off.
"We got plenty of thumbs up from him, and we could tell he enjoyed the celebrations much more this time.""We got plenty of thumbs up from him, and we could tell he enjoyed the celebrations much more this time."
A spokesperson for Notts County Football Club said: "We have strived to make Notts County more accessible for our disabled supporters.A spokesperson for Notts County Football Club said: "We have strived to make Notts County more accessible for our disabled supporters.
"This is another great step forward alongside our disabled supporters association, who have been incredible in assisting with projects, to make this happen.""This is another great step forward alongside our disabled supporters association, who have been incredible in assisting with projects, to make this happen."
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