Ipswich Town supported the National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS) 2010 Level Playing Field (LPF) Weeks of Action with a special Matchday Experience before last Saturday's home game against Scunthorpe United at Portman Road.

Eight youngsters with varying levels of disability participated in the Club's matchday soccer club which involved a tour of the stadium, fun football skills on the practice pitch followed by cheering the team onto the pitch in the Guard of Honour all of which were organised by Ipswich Town Community Trust.

The Level Playing Field initiative promotes the need for an inclusive and equal experience for all fans and brings together all clubs belonging to the professional leagues. Over a period of two weeks, these clubs have the opportunity to show what they have achieved for disabled supporters.

Around 30,000 disabled fans attend league matches each season and with more than 10 million disabled people in the UK, NADS wants to see that figure grow. The challenges faced by disabled people are numerous and often unexpected and NADS works alongside the football family and government lobbying for continued improvements and sharing good practice where it exists.

Many people will imagine someone in a wheelchair when thinking of disability and around 1% of the population uses a wheelchair. However there are many types of disability, some more hidden, and each with specific access needs. This year's campaign is focusing on ambulant disabled supporters. The term 'ambulant disabled' refers to people with a wide range of disabilities who are not regular wheelchair users. This could include, for example, people who have diabetes, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis or cancer. The facilities they require would vary depending on the specific effects of the illness or disability.

For more information about NADS, or to join them, you can go online to www.nads.org.uk, email info@nads.org.uk or call them on 0845 230 6237.