Aberdeen Football Club is aiming to become the first autism friendly club in the Scottish Premier League.
As part of an initiative designed to raise understanding of autism in Aberdeenshire, the club will take steps to achieve the Autism Friendly Award, which is administered by the National Autistic Society Scotland.
This award recognises organisations that take steps to ensure autistic visitors can access and enjoy their venues.
Other local organisations aiming to achieve the award include Peterhead Football Club, Union Square shopping centre, Scotrail’s Inverurie Rail Station and Sport Aberdeen.
Over the coming weeks, a group of autistic volunteers will visit Pittodrie Stadium to suggest changes the club could make. All front-of-house staff at the stadium will also take part in an autism awareness-raising session.
Steven Sweeney, community operations manager at Aberdeen Football club, said: “Aberdeen Football Club and its partner charity Aberdeen FC Community Trust are inclusive organisations. If there is a barrier to why people can’t attend a match at Pittodrie then we do all we can to overcome it.
“We would like to thank the National Autistic Society Scotland and its Ellon Branch for all the guidance and support received to date.”
Jo Hamilton, head of campaigns at the National Autistic Society Scotland, said: “We know that two thirds of autistic people in Scotland feel socially isolated – but we also know that very small adjustments can often make a big difference, meaning they can access and enjoy the places that many of us take for granted.
“The autism friendly award encourages organisations to learn about autism and make these adjustments.”
