BRIGHTON and Hove Albion have been praised for making the American Express Community Stadium fully-accessible to supporters who have a disability.

A recent survey of Seagulls fans with a disability resulted in some glowing feedback for the club’s staff and facilities.

Of the fans who responded to the questionnaire, 91 per cent rated their view of the pitch as either Good or Excellent, while 88 per cent of respondents praised the accessibility of their seat.

The club’s stewards were also considered Good or Excellent by 86 per cent of fans who completed the survey.

The American Express Community Stadium has 185 wheelchair spaces; 700 easy access seats and more than 80 accessible toilets – including a Changing Places wet-room complete with hoist.

A new online booking system launched at the end of last season has made it easier for fans with a disability to book their seats and an assisted hearing system enables those with a hearing aid to listen to matchday announcements.

Audio descriptive commentary is available to fans with a visual impairment while club staff that work at the stadium have also undergone training in Makaton – a simplified form of sign language - and autism awareness.

The Seagulls have also launched a new scheme to help fans with a hidden disability to identify themselves to club staff should they need any assistance, without having to give an explanation of the nature of their disability.

The scheme was launched in tandem with the club’s official charity, Albion in the Community (AITC), and club staff will also complete AITC’s disability awareness training during the 2017/18 season.

For more information on the available support for fans who have a disability, supporters should contact the club’s designated disability liaison officer by emailing: supporter.services@bhafc.co.uk.