In a packed suite just behind the Royal Box, representatives of The FA, Wembley National Stadium Limited, the Premier League, Football League and Football Conference met with fans of clubs from across the country to share personal experiences and identify ways in which disabled supporters can be better supported in the future. Sir Trevor Brooking, FA Director of Football Development gave the opening address.

"When you think of the word 'disability' you think of someone in a wheelchair, but disability is diverse," Joyce Cook, Chair of NADS told the audience. "We must not forget that."

NADS was formed in 1998 and is an umbrella organisation that represents all disabled fans. It's main aims are to campaign for equality of supporters experience and to be a voice for all supporters with a disability.

NADS lobby and campaign for equality, and 26 professional clubs are members, commiting to support NADS' 'A Level Playing Field' campaign. Minimum standards have been laid out by NADS for clubs, encouraging them to enter into discussions with their own disabled fans on facilities, policies and future plans.

Pete Bradshaw, Social Responsibility Manager at Manchester City gave an insight into how his Premier League club go 'the extra mile' for disabled fans, and were one of the first to ensure disabled seating is intergrated into all areas of the ground. "Our fans wanted to feel part of the crowd, not isolated on podiums, so we implemented what they wanted" he said.

Whilst not all members of the Conference could claim to have had as positive an experience at all grounds, The FA's Equality Manager Lucy Faulkner and her counterpart at The Premier League Cathy Long (Head of Supporter Relations and Policy Development) were making copious notes throughout the day; "if clubs are failing disabled fans, we need to know"said Lucy.

"The Directors are people who make the decisions at clubs and it's about having continual dialogue with them.

"Sometimes changes won't happen overnight, but equally, if fans don't feed back their experiences, facilities and support infrastructures won't change. That's one of the key points of getting so many like-minded people under one roof at this event."

Wembley Stadium boasts an impressive range of facilities for all disabled fans, including wheelchair accessible points for getting a half-time brew and the opportunity to listen to personal commentary for visually impaired fans, irrespective of their seat in the stadium.

Reflecting on the success of the event, NADS' Jamie Polk said: "We're delighted that the conference was endorsed by the football authorities, and listening to all the views expressed, it's clear there's still lot of work to do.

"The NADS website contains an area where any disabled fan - and they don't need to be member of a Disabled Supporters Association - can feed back their experiences, and we'd encourage as many people to do that, so we can constantly review and update our policies where applicable."

Click here for information on access to sports stadia for guide dogs.