Today, December 3, on the International Day of People with Disabilities, FC Barcelona is reiterating its commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Over the last year, the club has introduced various initiatives from the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion department, with the aim of ensuring that all people, regardless of their physical, sensory or cognitive conditions, can access its facilities, services and information in the most autonomous and safe way possible. These actions are part of the continued commitment to defend the rights and well-being of people with disabilities, contributing to a more inclusive society.
Physical accessibility
Inclusive mannequins at Barça Stores
As part of its commitment to diversity and inclusion, FC Barcelona has introduced inclusive mannequins in its official stores. These models represent the diversity of society with models in wheelchairs, with prostheses, cochlear implants and glasses, promoting inclusion and reflecting the variety of bodies and abilities.
New seats for wheelchair users in Palau Blaugrana
The Palau Blaugrana has opened a new area specially designed for wheelchair users. Each of these seven new places has an additional seat for an accompanying person, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the matches with a companion. In addition, to facilitate the purchase of tickets, the club has implemented a new online sales system that allows PMR seats to be purchased for all facilities through a web form.
Sensory accessibility
Improvements for people with hearing and visual impairments on the Barça Immersive Tour
FC Barcelona has implemented a series of improvements to guarantee an inclusive experience for people with hearing and visual impairments on the Barça Immersive Tour. These include the installation of a magnetic loop, the provision of multimedia audio guides accessible via mobile phones with subtitles in Catalan, Spanish and English, and provision of noise-cancelling headphones for children and people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or high hearing sensitivity (hyperacusis).
Quieter hours at museum
The Barça Museum has launched ‘Hores + Tranquil·les’, an initiative designed to offer a safer and more adapted environment for people with autism, sensory sensitivity or intellectual disabilities. Every Saturday from 3 to 5 pm, the museum reduces the intensity of light and sound, to offer a quieter and more welcoming environment. In addition, the staff has received specialised training in cognitive accessibility and care for people with autism in order to offer the best service to visitors.
Subtitled anthem
FC Barcelona has also subtitled the Barça anthem on the video scoreboards at the Estadi Johan Cruyff, the Palau Blaugrana and the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys for Liga matches, thus improving the experience for people with hearing disabilities.
Digital accessibility
Training
To improve the club’s digital content with the aim of making it accessible to everyone, audits have been carried out and training is provided to the workers in charge of these tasks on graphic design, web content creation, digital development, accessible PDFs and forms, and content subtitling.
Collaborations and Agreements
ONCE agreement
FC Barcelona has signed an agreement with ONCE to promote accessibility and inclusion in the new Spotify Camp Nou. It also participated in the creation of a special ONCE coupon to celebrate its 125th Anniversary, highlighting its commitment to people with disabilities.
International Week of People with Deafness and International Day of Sign Language
FC Barcelona celebrated the International Week of People with Deafness and the International Day of Sign Language with various activities, including an appearance on the field at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys of deaf children and others with cochlear implants, members of the Catalan Association of Families and People with Deafness (ACAPPS), with whom the club has had an agreement for 3 years. Also, a choir made up of members of the Barcelona Recreational and Cultural Centre for Deaf People (CERECUSOR) and the Barça Deaf Club performed the Barça anthem in sign language.
125th anniversary gala for all audiences
At the gala for FC Barcelona’s 125th anniversary at the Liceu, the club, in collaboration with ONCE, presented a sensory relief painting of the CAT mascot for blind children, allowing them to “see” the mascot through touch. And a video was screened in which Barça Genuine players presented the gift at the ONCE headquarters and shared their experiences with blind children, who explained to them how they perceived the mascot.
The live broadcast of the ceremony on Barça One included the option of subtitles and sign language in Catalan (LSC) to ensure that deaf or hearing-impaired people and anyone else who wished to, could follow the entire event.
On this International Day of Persons with Disabilities, FC Barcelona is continuing to work to set new benchmarks in accessibility and inclusion, ensuring that its physical and digital spaces are all accessible to everyone.
