Minutes                                       

 

Meeting:                                             CDSA meeting

 

Date:                                                  Thursday 12th March 2009

 

Present:                                    Diane Broom, Vanessa Nicholson, Graham Smith, Matthew Law, Cindy Albright, Kevin O’Donoghue, Jamie Polk.

Apologies:                                 Matthew McLaughlin

                                                                       

 

No.

ITEM

ACTION

 

1

 

Minutes of previous meeting.

·         No problems with tickets being scanned

·         Stewards were asked not to rush fans

·         Exit can’t be just designated for Disabled fans

 

 

 

2

 

Matters Arising.

 

 

 

     

 

3

 

FAQ’s on website. Raised 18 months ago we were told Club was already doing one

We do have FAQ already on the website; right at the bottom of each page you will see the link to the FAQ’s where there are specific disabled related questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

 

Can an email be anonymously sent round (to CDSA email correspondents) when date for applications [memberships] is known and can Matthew be informed of when this will be.

As soon as we know, the information will be put on the website. We will let you know once the date is confirmed, but you can inform people to check our website middle of May as we propose to have the information available then.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

 

Audio Descriptive Commentary: Club to consider using Soccersight next season

The switching is no longer a problem; as we had a few issues earlier in the season. The commentary is checked each game to ensure that the correct game is being broadcast.  We are contracted to Radio London who have exclusive rights, the contact is for 2-3 years. If we did look to change providers we’d consider a number of avenues, also maybe a possibility of doing it internally through Chelsea TV.

 

 

 

 

6

 

Match programme on CD – Update

We have an online matchday programme available which can be read by a speed reader, members will need to subscribe to this. We will also add a link onto the disabled page on the website on how to apply. We are looking at the possibilities of having programmes on CD, as an alternative.

 

 

 

 

DB/GS?

 

 

7

 

Elevated Positions – Guidelines are for many more – Can we have an update?

There are guidelines as a recommendation for new stadia, if we were able to accommodate any more elevated position we’d have look at the Matthew Harding Upper disabled platform and in the East Lower. Stamford bridge is an old stadium and we can only make adjustments were possible. NADS has had 4 complaints from 18 about the Away Section we offer for non-ambulant. We have asked for these to be passed onto us, as we not aware of them. We also read out a thank-you letter to Chelsea from a non-ambulant away fan attending the Hull match thanking us for the great service that was provided

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

 

If dugouts are moved – How will this affect disabled supporters?

Dugouts are not being moved.

 

 

 

 

9

 

 

Can CFC publicise CDSA more? The majority of disabled supporters do not even know they exist. The CDSA should be able to email round all disabled members to ask for Agenda items for example or to offer them the chance to join a CDSA facebook group.

We had over 100 applications for the CDSA so people are aware that the CDSA does exist. Suggested to supply a list of how and what you want to do. CDSA need to decide on how they want to advertise the CDSA and get back to us. It was mentioned putting a note on the membership and season ticket renewal forms, also to add to the FAQ.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CDSA

10

 

Allocation of away wheelchair tickets when only a small number are available.

It was asked if the Disabled away allocation could be spilt 50/50 the same as non-disabled. The problem we have is we only receive a very small allocation, and have 4 disabled away season ticket holders 3 of which are non-ambulant. So for games such as Fulham away where we will only have 1 non-ambulant ticket left how do you split it 50/50? For most away games we have actually returned tickets to away clubs, the big games and London derbies will always sell out as everyone wants to go. Policy for season 09/10 has already been submitted, but Matthew will conduct a poll on the CDSA website to see what the general consensus is and discuss for season 2010/11 disabled ticketing policy. We did put this to the vote and was decided to continue for the season 2009/10 as before.

 

 

 

 

 

 

ML

11

 

Other Business

 

  1. Europe Away Travel

No other clubs put on transport for non-ambulant disabled from airport to stadia. We have paid for transfers on most occasions. We will be having a meeting with Thomas Cook soon and will discuss how next season travel will work and advertise that once finalised.

 

  1. Re-design of South Stand Away Disabled section.

We can’t raise the platform as the building regulations don’t permit with it being right near a stairwell and being an emergency fire exit. Jamie mentioned, a single superizer, which is a temporary raised platform – we will look into this. The viewing for the away non-ambulant only effects about 3 clubs when they opt for the addition non-ambulant seating which means there view is impaired only when their own fans stand up in front of them.

 

 

  1. Can someone start a supporters club

       Any one is able to start a supporters club, information in on the Supporters club page of the website, with the criteria which is needed to start one. We don not accept clubs within the London area they only start on the outskirts on London, and a minimum requirement of 60 true blue members who live in the area of the club. Full details can be found on the website.

 

 

  1. Can their be a paying Disabled Season Ticket

CDSA feel they are not able to make the decision weather to implement a fee to the current free disabled season tickets to allow more disabled season tickets holders, the CDSA feel that the only way this decision can be made is to get all season ticket holder together again.

For most home games we have had to release some of the Match member allocation as not all the tickets are not being sold. Providing a Match members get their application in on time they stand a very good chance of receiving the tickets they applied for, meaning just like Season Ticket holder they can attend most home games.

 

  1. Why can’t CDSA member details be advertised

Due to Data Protection laws we will not give individuals personal details. The CDSA committee can be contacted through they website and the emails are circulated amongst the committee. All points disabled members/season tickets holders want raised are put forward at CDSA meetings held at Chelsea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DB