The Club operates a ticketing policy for disabled supporters and will ensure that the scheme does not discriminate between disabled people with differing impairments. There is no concession on a ticket price for a disabled supporter, but should a personal assistant be required, they will not be charged.

Definition of disability
As a fundamental principle the Disability Discrimination Act states that disabled people should not be treated 'less favourably, without justification'; and 'reasonable adjustments should be made to make goods, facilities and services accessible.' Reading Football Club aim to fully comply with both the provisions and spirit of the Act.

For the purposes of this policy only the definition of a disabled supporter is: 'any person who, because of their disability or impairment, is unable to use ordinary stand seating without contravening Health and Safety Regulations, Guidelines or Policy or where the club has provided a "reasonable adjustment" to enable that supporter to attend the venue. Any such person will be considered for use of the "designated areas" of the stadium in line with the procedures set out in this policy."

A "reasonable adjustment" in the context shall include (but is not limited to), the need to use a wheelchair platform, the need to bring a "personal assistant" for either personal care or safety reasons, or the use of an auxiliary service (eg match commentary for visually impaired supporters or "loop systems" for supporters with sensory impairments).

A "designated area" is any area (including specific seats around the stadium bowl) that the club shall, in its sole discretion determine as being available for the disabled concessionary ticket price.

A person has a "disability" if he/she has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his/her ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

RFC reserves the right to request "proof of a disability" before issuing any concession. Such proof shall include:

-Receipt of the middle or higher rate of the Disability Living Allowance (mobility or care component).
-Receipt of either the Severe Disablement Allowance or Attendance Allowance
-A personal letter from your GP

NB Receipt of an Orange/Blue badge will not be considered sufficient proof of disability for the concessionary ticket price.

Facilities for Supporters Using Wheelchairs
The club has 142 positions, inclusive of 14 positions for away supporters and, if required, a personal assistant. These are situated as follows:
North Stand 25
East Stand 18
West Stand 8 South (home) 9
South (away supporters) 14

Wheelchair viewing is also available in hospitality areas, subject to application.

These places are provided at a prices which are listed here, payable by the disabled person using the wheelchair. Should a Personal Assistant (PA) be required, they will not be charged. Season tickets have sold out this season 2007/8, but for your information prices are listed here. In conjunction with the proof of disability mentioned above, this concession will only be available to those people who meet the eligibility criteria described below.

Wheelchair using applicants must be largely confined to a wheelchair, or not capable of walking a distance further than that required to reasonably and safely access any other part of the stadium.

Wheelchair using applicants should, ideally, also be accompanied by a person who is capable of supporting the disabled person's needs in the event of an emergency. For this reason RFC strongly recommend that a person is sixteen years of age or over and not be infirm.

The club's Health and Safety policy requires that the person using a wheelchair remain in their wheelchair. Any refusal will be deemed to be a contravention of Health and Safety policy and you may be asked to leave the stadium/be declined a ticket.

Facilities for Supporters with Visual Impairments
The club has 12 positions for visually impaired supporters and if required, their personal assistants. These are situated in the West/South corner.

Visually impaired supporters using this area will be charged for their tickets (prices listed below). Should a personal assistant be required, they will not be charged for a match ticket. Season tickets for season 2007/8 have sold out.

Match commentary is provided by the local hospital radio service and 12 headsets are available on match day.

Eligibility for this concession requires proof of disability as described above or each person can provide a copy of their registration document which certifies they are Registered Blind or Registered Partially Sighted, or provide qualifying documentation from their optician equivalent to registration requirements.

The Club strongly recommends that each visually impaired person attending a match should be accompanied by a person who is fully able to support their needs in the event of an emergency.

Guide Dogs are allowed into the Stadium Bowl but we would recommend that supporters with Guide Dogs contact the Customer Service Office 0118-9681211 - disability@readingfc.co.uk before the match so that we can discuss with them access to the ground, facilities inside the ground and the welfare of the Guide Dog before, during and after the match.

Facilities for Supporters with Ambulatory Disabilities
The Club has 94 positions for Ambulant supporters in the Home end and 6 positions in the away end and if required, their personal assistanat (PA).

RFC recognise that there are considerable numbers of people in the community who use wheelchairs mainly for outdoor mobility purposes but are not necessarily confined to their wheelchair. There are also many people suffering severe walking difficulties who may wish to watch a match.

For the purposes of this policy and the administration of the concessionary ticketing policy both categories of people will be termed 'ambulatory disabled supporters' and those supporters with ambulatory disabilities of a severe nature will qualify for the concessionary treatment and have access to seating nearest the entrances/exists.

Provision will be in "designated areas" only and should the individual not wish to sit here, they forfeit the entitlement to a disability related concession. The designated area will be row K of seating in front of the wheelchair platforms.

Eligibility to these areas will be dependent on providing proof of disability (as described above) or will be decided on individual merit based on information provided to Jackie Evans, Customer Service Manager. This information will assist in determining each individual's suitability for use of the facilities. For ticket prices please see below.

Facilities for Supporters with Infirmities
Supporters with physically restricting medical conditions can sometimes have difficulty in reaching seats in some parts of the stadium.

RFC is conscious of a growing elderly population and wish to consider their needs in order for them to be able to continue watching matches whenever possible. With this in mind it is proposed that those elderly people suffering from an infirmity which prevents them climbing large numbers of steps should be able to request a seat in the most accessible part of the stadium (ie nearest the entrances/exists). Please advise the Sales Centre of this request at the time of booking.

Should their infirmity be so severe that they cannot manage more than 1 or 2 steps, they may be entitled to the concession offered for ambulatory disabled supporters (see above).

Facilities for Supporters with Learning Difficulties
Supporters with learning difficulties can normally be accommodated in any part of the stadium in normal seating. However, if, for whatever reason, any person with a learning difficulty feels that ordinary stand seating would be unsuitable for them, they will be entitled to sit in the disabled concessionary areas and receive the appropriate concession (including the FREE PA seat). Please contact disability@readingfc.co.uk or the Customer Service Office on 0118-9681211.

Tickets for Home fixtures can be booked by phoning the Ticket Office on 0870 999 1871. Tickets are not available online, but any disabled member can book by emailing disability@readingfc.co.uk

Please remember that the 0870 999 1871 phone number is not just for buying tickets, it also has relevant and updated information about tickets and fixtures, both home and away.

Away match tickets will be offered to season ticket holders/member card holders with the highest number of Royalty Points.

Tickets for Away fixtures can only be booked by phoning the Customer Service Office on 0118 968 1211. Tickets are not available online, but any disabled member can book by emailing disability@readingfc.co.uk