AccessibAll

History was made in the world of football with the recent UEFA Champions League game at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium, marking a significant milestone in accessibility and inclusion. From the moment the matchday experience began, fans of all abilities were not just accommodated, but celebrated. Activities included an inspiring exhibition of wheelchair soccer and three young champions with #Downsyndrome entering the field alongside the referee, setting the tone for a truly special event. The match didn't just happen on the pitch; sensory rooms provided a calm space for those in need, #audiodescription #ADC services ensured every moment was felt, and #signlanguage interpretations graced the video boards during the national anthem and team lineups, breaking new ground for inclusion in sports. This wasn’t just about football; it was about community, compassion, and breaking barriers. As the CEO of AccessibAll Olivier Jarosz mentioned, "The most important goal was purely social, and we’re thrilled to have achieved it, the movement has begun! Inclusivity isn’t about statistics, it’s about ensuring everyone’s involved. If you want figures, with three-digit registration numbers already we’ll see you back in Riyadh Air Metropolitano in less than 20 days for the largest disabled event yet, alongside UEFA, FIFA, and clubs united by this cause. These are the values that define Club Atlético de Madrid and we are proud to share them with the world and huge thanks to collaborative efforts with Diario AS, Integrated Dreams and World Football Summit" Video description: The accompanying video showcases the event, highlighting Club Atlético de Madrid's match against LOSC in the most inclusive UEFA Champions League game ever, focusing on several aspects of accessibility, with special attention given to non-visible disabilities. #Inclusion #FootballForAll #AccessibAll #UCL #SocialValues #AccessibilityMatters

Today, the AccessibAll team is proud to stand in solidarity with people with #DownSyndrome, their families, friends, and support networks as we mark #WorldDownSyndromeDay2025. This year’s theme support reminds us that inclusion goes beyond awareness. True inclusion is about actively supporting people with Down Syndrome in ways that promote their independence, dignity, and autonomy. Down Syndrome is a genetic condition caused by the presence of an extra copy of chromosome 21, known as trisomy 21, affecting roughly 3,000 to 5,000 children born each year worldwide. But beyond the genetics, each person with Down Syndrome is a unique individual with their own strengths, goals and aspirations. While there may be increased health risks or challenges, many people with Down Syndrome lead full, healthy lives. With life expectancy now reaching 60 years and rising, it's clear that early intervention, access to education, and ongoing support play a major role in enhancing quality of life. But barriers still exist, not because of the condition itself, but due to societal perceptions, outdated stereotypes and systemic inaccessibility. That’s why support must also mean challenging discrimination, listening to lived experiences, and amplifying the voices of people with Down Syndrome. At AccessibAll, we champion the social model of disability, which focuses on removing obstacles and empowering individuals to lead on their own terms — whether that’s through advocacy, decision-making, or simply navigating a football stadium independently on matchday. We're inspired by the work of organisations like Down's Syndrome Association and the European Down Syndrome Association, who continue to show how inclusive environments, from therapy to the workplace, from classrooms to stadiums, can make a world of difference when designed with support and dignity at the core. So today, and every day, we renew our commitment to creating spaces where people with Down Syndrome can thrive, lead, and be heard. Let’s make support more than a word let’s make it an action. 💬🤝 #WorldDownSyndromeDay #WDSD2025 #SupportNotStereotypes #AccessibAll #InclusionMatters #SocialModelOfDisability #Neurodiversity #DownSyndromeAwareness #TotalAccess Mencap National Down Syndrome Society World Down Syndrome Day Special Olympics Inclusion International Zero Project Description: The image collage highlights inclusion in football, featuring a young boy with Down Syndrome wearing a Real Betis Balompié kit sitting confidently against a backdrop with the phrase "Simplemente diferente" ("Simply different"), alongside two other images showing individuals with Down Syndrome engaging in football activities with Fulham Football Club and Everton Football Club players. The overall theme celebrates diversity, accessibility, and the power of sport in fostering inclusivity. Everton in the Community, Fulham FC Foundation

🇨🇵 Let's go ! Je suis ravi de rejoindre AccessibAll en tant qu'Access Captain en France ! Ce rôle me permettra de soutenir et donner plus de pouvoir aux supporters en situation de handicap, et de m'assurer que l'accessibilité et l'inclusion restent au cœur des débats dans le développement du sport. J'ai hâte de travailler et collaborer avec d'autres experts passionnés à travers la France et l'Europe pour lancer un réel changement ! Ensemble, rendons le sport accessible à tous. ⚽💙♿️ #AccessibAll #AccessCaptains #InclusiveSports 🇬🇧 Exciting news! I am delighted to announce to be joining AccessibAll as an Access Captain for France ! This role allows me to support and empower disabled fans, ensuring that accessibility and inclusion remain at the heart of sports culture. I can’t wait to collaborate with other passionate advocates to drive real change accross France and Europe ! Let’s work together to make sports truly for everyone. ⚽💙♿️ #AccessibAll #AccessCaptains #InclusiveSports Olivier Jarosz Michael Rice Amy Wilson

Your voice, your passion, your chance to shine. Soccer fans are invited to take part in a series of Audio- Descriptive Commentary (ADC) training programs across the United States - we need you! https://lnkd.in/ed23Dg_T #TotalAccess

Con enorme gratitud y entusiasmo, quiero expresar mi felicidad por haber sido elegido como Access Captain para Europa. Es un honor formar parte de este increíble proyecto que lucha por la inclusión y accesibilidad en el mundo del deporte. Agradezco a #AccessiBall por la confianza depositada en mí y a todos aquellos que trabajan día a día para hacer del deporte un espacio verdaderamente accesible para todos. Estoy emocionado por contribuir con mi esfuerzo y compromiso para seguir rompiendo barreras y generando un impacto positivo en nuestra comunidad. Juntos, seguiremos avanzando hacia un futuro más inclusivo. ¡Vamos por más! ¡Gracias por esta oportunidad! #AccessibAll #AccessCaptain #Inclusion

Exciting news! I am delighted to announce to be joining AccessibAll as an Access Captain for Italy! This initiative is a powerful step towards making sports more inclusive and accessible for fans with disabilities across Europe. I am excited to contribute, advocate for accessibility, and collaborate with an incredible network of changemakers. Together, we can create real impact and ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the game we all love! 💙♿ #AccessibAll #AccessCaptains #InclusionForAll #InclusionMatters

每年三月中，賽馬會開聲體育口述影像服務都會參與一個世 界性活動: #WeekofAction (足球無障礙行動周)。 留意開賽馬會開聲體驗嘅朋友應該都有印象，#WeekofAction 係由歐洲組織AccessibAll 主辦，呼籲世界各地嘅足球總會、球會或者球迷組織喺3月7至23日舉辦活動，藉此向世界推廣 #TotalAccess 呢個重要訊息。 今年我哋好榮幸搵到港超聯理文足球會一齊參與 #WeekofAction，喺3月9日安排我哋一班會員朋友參觀理文足球總部， 俾大家認識及親身試用職業足球會嘅訓練設施，理文仲仲珍貴嘅港超聯冠軍獎盃出嚟，令視障朋友可以透過觸感一嚐捧盃嘅滋味。🏆🏆🏆 參觀活動完成後，理文仲安排咗我哋入場睇港超聯對冠忠南區嘅賽事，當然唔少得由開聲體育口述影像服務同事Keith 㩒聲音導賞， 令視障球迷都可以全情投入欣賞賽事。 多謝理文今次嘅安排，祝願今季餘下賽事會漸入佳境，展現強大嘅後勁，加油！ 相片由理文足球會提供 #賽馬會開聲體育口述影像服務 #賽馬會慈善信託基金 #JCSportsProgrammeswithAudioDescriptionService #TotalAccess #WeekOfAction Jackie Kwan

We are now halfway through the AccessibAll #TotalAccess Week of Action 2025, and what an incredible journey it has been so far! Across clubs, leagues, and communities, we have seen unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive game for all. Sometimes subtle, sometimes more visible, we are proud to witness the collective efforts towards true accessibility. A massive congratulations to every club, supporters' group, and organisation that has taken action. Your dedication is driving change, inspiring others, and proving that disability is not a single experience, but a rich spectrum that enhances our society rather than diminishes it. Disability comes in many forms—it isn’t always visible, and it doesn’t have a single “look.” Some people have chronic illnesses or mobility issues and may use a wheelchair part-time or in certain situations. Others have speech, vision, or neurological disabilities, and some experience conditions that fluctuate day by day. Recognising this diversity is crucial to ensuring that inclusion efforts meet the needs of all disabled people. As Olivier Jarosz, CEO of AccessibAll says: "In our societies, there is still a belief that being non-disabled is the default the 'normal' state of being. This harmful mindset fuels discrimination and creates a world filled with constant barriers for disabled people. It’s time we challenge this notion and ensure that, through the Week of Action, the football community makes #TotalAccess the standard, not the exception." But we are not done yet! There’s still time to get involved, celebrate inclusion, and show your support. Let’s keep the momentum going and demonstrate to the world that football and sport as a whole truly belongs to everyone. A special thank you to our #AccessCaptains and all those making a difference this week. Join the conversation using #TotalAccess and let’s finish this week strong! #AccessForAll #InclusionMatters #TotalAccessWeek Image description: The pictures highlights various football clubs and their commitment to accessibility and inclusivity in the sport. Athletic Club fans gather outside their stadium during the #TotalAccess Semana de Acción, promoting equal opportunities for all supporters. Players in the Football Federation of Armenia football league game hold an "AccessibAll" banner, advocating for inclusion in football. An illustration of Ferencvárosi Torna Club 's Groupama Arena in Hungary, with the phrase "KORLATOK NÉLKÜL" (Without Limits), represents efforts to make stadiums more accessible for visually impaired and disabled fans. Finally, a match scene featuring Grasshopper Club Zürich showcases digital advertising boards supporting the #TotalAccess initiative, reinforcing the message that football should be for everyone, regardless of ability.

Last week, our CEO had the privilege of attending the Zero Project Summit, where we presented our Learning & Development initiatives at the #ZeroCon25 Project Tech Summit. The summit was truly incredible spanning three days in Vienna, with over 1,000 attendees at the heart of the United Nations HQ. At #AccessibAll, we are building a vast ecosystem of knowledge-sharing—a space where disabled fans can structure their work more effectively, and society can gain a deeper awareness of the disability world through the power of football and AI. This is our mission, and we are excited for what’s ahead! Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare for #TotalAccess Week of Action. A huge thank you to all the amazing staff at Zero Project Conference 2025 for their tireless efforts in shaping a more inclusive future. Special appreciation to: Martin Essl, Wilfried Kainz, Małgorzata Grobelna, Robin Tim Weis and the team. Great session led by Emily Flores! #Accessibility #Inclusion #ZeroProject #AccessibAll #SportsForAll #DisabilityIn Image description: These images capture moments from the Zero Project Conference 2025, a global event focused on accessibility and inclusion. The main image showcases a packed conference hall with engaged attendees, a large screen displaying remote speakers, and presenters on stage, symbolising a collaborative and inclusive discussion. The smaller images highlight key aspects of the event: a powerful stage performance, a close-up of a braille document signifying accessibility, and a panel discussion featuring smiling experts, reinforcing the event's mission of driving inclusivity. The overall atmosphere reflects innovation, advocacy, and global participation in shaping a more accessible future. Pictures Rupert Pessl

At our Global Summit at Club Atlético de Madrid, we had the privilege of hosting a special session on women’s disabled football, highlighting the importance of inclusion, accessibility, and equal opportunities in sports. In the discussion on Breaking Barriers: Disabled Women in Football and Sports we brought together inspiring voices who are leading the way in creating change Anna Rossi, Chloe McBratney, Gohar Navasardyan, Amy Wilson, Beatriz Carrasco Aguas. This session was a powerful reminder that football is for everyone. By amplifying the voices of women in disabled sports, we continue breaking down barriers and championing inclusivity. On this International Women’s Day, let’s celebrate the strength, resilience, and passion of women in football and beyond! #IWD2025 #BreakingBarriers #InclusiveFootball #WomenInSports #FootballForAll #InternationalWomensDay #TotalAccess