2012 PROFILE James Bulley
Karen Maxwell talks to LOCOG’s director of venues and infrastructure about his role as London 2012 disability champion
How are you preparing the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic venues? We want to ensure the athletes, spectators and the media have the best Games experience possible by planning how these groups will access the venues, safely move around and enjoy the event, while also delivering the best possible facilities for those who are working at the venue. During the coming year, we’ll be test-
ing simulations to ensure we get it right come Games time. We are currently procuring the overlay – such as seats, tents, furniture, fences and sport sur- faces – and the majority of these will be installed at venues from next spring.
What does your role of disability champion at LOCOG entail? I’m responsible for championing disability across the organisation, by promoting diversity and inclusion at work and helping to ensure that LOCOG is as diverse as possible. I also attend disability events, such as
the launch of our disability pin badge and our Diversity and Inclusion board meetings to ensure that disability is high on the agenda.
What lessons have been learned from other Olympic events? It’s been important for us to speak to previous Organising Committees
about what they have done at both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in terms of disability issues, to ensure that we can both learn from their experience and also emulate some of the successful guidelines they implemented. We have also spoken with a wide
range of disability organisations about what disabled spectators would want to have in our venues to ensure an enjoy- able Games-time experience. The Paralympic Games are completely
integrated into the Olympic Games – we have one budget, one organising com- mittee and one senior management team for both Games. This means that we can ensure that everything works for everyone involved in both Games.
How have disability issues been addressed for London 2012? Our aim is to provide a range of services and ticket products for disabled people
– tailored to their needs, rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach. We want to ensure that disabled spectators have as great an experience as anyone else and we are committed to providing services and facilities that meet all accessibility requirements. We recently announced Olympic
Games’ ticket products that meet a vari- ety of accessibility requirements. Tickets will be available at every venue, in every session and across all price categories.
We have spoken to a wide range of disability organisations about what disabled spectators would want to have in our venues
Issue 2 2011 © cybertrek 2011 When applying for a ticket, spectators
can indicate an additional accessibility need, such as a seat accessed by fewer steps for those who find stairs difficult; a seat on the end of a row for those who need extra room; a seat with a di- rect view of video information screens for people who are deaf or hearing im- paired; or a seat close to the action for visually impaired people. We will also provide free blue badge
parking spaces at all venues; accessible shuttle bus options; a free mobility ser- vice to loan out manual wheelchairs and scooters; facilities for assistance dogs, audio description and induction loops; an adult changing toilet which includes a hoist at all venues; and spectator infor- mation in accessible formats.
What staff training will be given to enhance spectators’ experience? Volunteers – or Games Makers will go through three sets of training – orientation, role-specific and in-venue training. At these sessions, they will gain an
insight into the Olympic and Paralym- pic Games, the sports, venues and life as a London 2012 volunteer. Role spe- cific training will allow volunteers to learn everything they need to carry out their role at Games time – from skills and knowledge to how they can best represent London 2012. Finally, compre- hensive in-venue training will help the volunteers get to know their venue and find out about the activities that will take place there during the Games, as well as key information such as transport points and disabled access points.
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