Nikki Gould’s fight to make seating at the footy more accessible for all footy fans
A Pakenham woman is fighting for all footy fans — particularly those with mobility issues — to have better seating accessibility to watch their team.
South East
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In a city where football is considered a religion, one woman is petitioning to make Melbourne’s favourite sport accessible for all members of the congregation
Nikki Gould, of Pakenham, started a petition to fight for her younger brother, Ace Bryans, to be able to easily watch his beloved Brisbane Lions live in action.
Ms Gould said she believes everyone should be able to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
“I’ve worked in the disability field since 2014, and watched how hard it is for clients to even go to the movies, and secure tickets for events,” Ms Gould said.
“This petition is to try and create a voice to make change for equality for everyone, regardless of the barriers they face.”
Ms Gould’s brother Ace Bryans lives in Narre Warren, and has several disabilities that mean he requires a wheelchair.
“Witnessing what he has to be subjected to frustrated me,” Ms Gould said.
“Life is already trying on him and even to do the simple things like attend footy that should be fun, but seating has made it so exhausting that it’s easier to not go, which is sad.”
Many sporting venues across the country do not have proper seating accessibility, often separating people with disabilities from where their family and friends are seated, she said.
Accessible seats are almost always located at the back of each seating set up, with only one seat for carers per accessible space.
Adding further difficulty, patrons can only book wheelchair seating through booking agents via the wheelchair seating and accessible seating booking line.
The aim of Ms Gould’s petition is to create a voice that creates meaningful change.
“Our end goal is to push parliament to review their legal standards to ensure people aren’t discriminated against and excluded,” Ms Gould said.
“I believe the last law passed on building regulations for disability access was in 2009, which was focused on buildings in construction, not pre-existing ones.”
So far, the petition has garnered almost 1000 signatures.
“The community have been great at spreading the word, and I’m really appreciative of people who have taken the time to be vulnerable and share their similar stories too,” Ms Gould said.
AFL, Ticketek and Ticketmaster have all been contacted.
gemma.scerri@news.com.au
