Leeds United captain Liam Cooper joined an exclusive virtual call with some of our supporters from the Leeds United Disabled Organisation (LUDO) earlier this week as part of the club’s activities to support Level Playing Field’s Weeks of Action.

Our Premier League fixture against Chelsea on Saturday afternoon is being dedicated to the annual campaign that works towards improving commitment, access and inclusion for disabled supporters playing sport and attending sporting events.

The Scotland international spent time learning more about Level Playing Field and the work they do alongside the Leeds United Foundation and LUDO in creating more opportunities for those with disabilities to take part in sports and improving accessibility at Elland Road.

During the Zoom call the defender also answered some questions from LUDO members and Foundation participants about the season so far, hopes and goals for the 2020/21 campaign and what it has been like for a footballer throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and especially without supporters at matches.

Leeds Untied along with other Premier League clubs, Disabled Supporters Associations (DSAs) and fans have all come together during the Weeks of Action campaign, between 27th February and 14th March, to show a united front in promoting the important work being done to improve  specific experiences for those suffering with a disability.

Disabled people are the largest minority group in any population and with sport having such a unique capacity to bring people together and the positive impact that watching live sport has, being accessible and inclusive is essential for disabled people to participate fully.

Since the inception of LUDO in 1991, Leeds United have worked collaboratively with them to improve disabled areas in the ground with more wheelchair spaces now available on all sides of the ground and a specific area for ambulant disabled fans. Other achievements include the provision of more disabled toilets, lower level counters for wheelchair users and an exclusive lounge to be used on matchdays, before and after games.

If you would like to know more about LUDO, please contact the club’s Disabled Liaison Officer via email at [email protected].

If you would like to get involved in the Weeks of Action campaign, please post your messages of support on Twitter (@lpftweets) and Facebook (/lpftweets) using the hashtag #WeeksOfAction.

To take a look at the LUTV video from the Zoom call with Liam Cooper, please click here.