International Day of Disabled Persons: ensuring equal rights and opportunities in the workplace

On 2022's International Day of Disabled Persons, we celebrate the contribution of the disabled workforce to football and identify best practices to encourage sporting organisations to be more inclusive.

As one of 11 focus areas in our Football Sustainability Strategy 2030, we want to ensure that the football environment and its infrastructure are accessible for everyone who wants to take part, welcoming players, fans and staff members of all abilities. Our ambition for 2030 is to guarantee barrier-free access for any individual wanting to play, attend events or work in football.

UEFA'S Football for All Abilities policy

UEFA cooperates with six Football for All Abilities partner organisations. Playing football can provide a pathway into employment for disabled people, so UEFA works with the European Amputee Football Federation, the European Powerchair Football Association, the International Blind Sports Federation, the International Federation of CP Football and Special Olympics Europe Eurasia to help facilitate the transition from the pitch to coaching, refereeing or football administration. CAFE, the Centre for Access to Football in Europe, also promotes an inclusive employment policy.

Norbert Foris: making a difference in Hungary

What is it like to work in football as a disabled person? To find out, we asked Norbert Foris, a staff member of the Football and Social Responsibility (FSR) Unit at the Hungarian Football Federation (MLSZ). Norbert was born blind, but that has not stopped him pursuing his love of football in his native Hungary.

Norbert Foris (l) at work with guide dog GingerMLSZ

“I’ve loved football since I was a little kid, when I used to follow football with my dad who was a big fan. Football is an important tradition in my family," Norbert explains.

"I have degrees in physical education, public administration, public organisation and recreational organisation. But when I was looking for a job, I sent out over 100 applications to various companies across Hungary and about 50 of those never answered. 30 more organisations told me they simply couldn’t imagine how a blind person would integrate their workforce. Only two organisations offered me an interview. One of them was the Hungarian FA, where I have been employed since November 2021."

It has been an interesting journey so far, but Norbert is delighted to be making a positive impact on the game’s workforce.

"Being blind myself, I felt I had first-hand experience to contribute to the Football for All Abilities programmes, but I am also very interested in all the other areas," he says. "In spring 2022, I joined MLSZ’s Football and Social Responsibility team and am now revising the way our ticketing system is set up, making sure it is accessible to disabled spectators."

We also wanted to hear from people in Norbert’s environment about their insights into making the workplace more accessible.

Bettina Pap is one of Norbert’s closest MLSZ colleagues, who shares her experience of working alongside him.

“I’ve learnt a lot from Norbi and it’s not as complicated as I would have expected," she says. "Ask what the person’s needs are, listen and be open. Working with Norbert has sensitised everyone at the office. We now just treat him like any other colleague and are no longer afraid of making mistakes.

"Other than the screen reader programme on Norbert’s phone and laptop, no changes were needed. Thanks to Ginger, Norbert's guide dog, he gets around by himself. And if he does need help, one of our colleagues is always there to assist him."

Rebeka Balogh, Norbert’s girlfriend, believes he inspires her to push for change in her own workplace.

"Yes it does - negative stereotypes about disabled people in society still persist," she explains. "Openness, acceptance and patience are needed. But I try to set a positive example for our environment through my relationship with Norbi, who inevitably comes up as a positive example."

A growing community

Norbert is in good company, with similar stories across the European football landscape, and today, we highlight some of our favourite examples across our official social media channels.

In fact, a recent poll revealed that more than half of UEFA’s surveyed member associations employ disabled staff in various roles, with an even balance between part time and full-time employment.

But there is more football can do to shift numbers in favour of disabled people. In fact, pre-pandemic research in the EU showed that the unemployment rate of disabled people aged 20-64, is 17.1 per cent compared to 10.2 per cent of non-disabled people, and that the inactivity rate is particularly high among disabled women.

In some countries, national legislation imposes quotas on companies regarding the employment of disabled people. And members of the football community also come up with their own solutions. The Football Federation of Armenian (FFA), for example, systematically advertises job openings with disability advocacy groups first, before opening them to the wider public.