Understanding the needs and experiences of neurodiverse sports fans

Posted on 8 February 2021 by Pippa McClounan

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The aim of the research is to understand the experiences of neurodivergent people when they attend sports events. This is in order to understand how services or facilities in stadia or sports grounds could be improved in order to be more inclusive to all fans.

As part of a project to re-write Accessibility Guidance for stadia and sports grounds, Level Playing Field and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) have commissioned NatCen Social Research to conduct this important piece of research to help make stadia or sports grounds more inclusive.

What is the research about?

The aim of the research is to understand the experiences of neurodivergent people when they attend sports events. This is in order to understand how services or facilities in stadia or sports grounds could be improved in order to be more inclusive of all fans.

To do this NatCen Social Research would like to speak to neurodiverse sports fans to understand their experiences and how experiences could be improved.

This could include anyone with:

• Autism
• ADHD
• Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, or Dyscalculia
• Tourette Syndrome
• Developmental Language Disorder
• Other neurodevelopmental conditions

What will taking part involve?

• Taking part will involve participating in an online focus group in February 2021 using the video calling software        Microsoft Teams. The focus group will last approximately 90-minutes and be hosted by a NatCen researcher.
• Each focus group will include up to eight adult participants plus the NatCen researchers.
• During the discussion, you will take turns to speak about your experiences of attending different sports events in      response to questions asked by the NatCen researcher.

How do I take part?

Email the NatCen research team directly at NDfans@natcen.ac.uk

For more details click on the Information sheet (right-hand column).

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