An increasingly inclusive FC Porto. Over the years, FC Porto has made the necessary adjustments so that its services and infrastructures are increasingly effective in meeting everyone's needs. In this context, in addition to the initiatives already known such as the audio-descriptive report of the games, the transmission of the club's anthem in sign language on the stadium screens or the use of the ColorAdd code, the club will now inaugurate a new sensory space at Estádio do Dragão, in partnership with Betano, the club's main sponsor.

It is called INZONE, it is intended for people with difficulties in processing sensory information (Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Processing Dysfunction, Intellectual Deficit, Mental Health Disease) and emerges as a highly differentiating space in the context of football stadiums.

INZONE will allow these people to watch a football game benefiting from a safe experience, in a controlled environment, and experiencing a minimum of sensory overload experiences.

The inauguration took place at the reception of Estrela da Amadora in Dragão. It is now available to the public through prior contact with FC Porto, through the email: [email protected].

An area divided into three spaces

Built in partnership with Betano and the Escola Superior de Saúde do Politécnico do Porto, INZONE consists of 3 walkable and multidirectional spaces, which aim at facilitating the occupational participation of people with difficulties in processing sensory information and, whenever possible, at promoting gradual training, with the final objective of integrating the users into the stands, next to family and friends.

“FC Porto has been carrying out work in the field of sustainability and, more specifically, inclusion, which I am very proud of and which has been described as a reference in the matter. This is another step that we take, together with Betano and the Escola Superior de Saúde do Politécnico do Porto, which allows us to provide our Estádio do Dragão with resources it lacked and that make us more inclusive and prepared to receive all fans”, Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa, President of FC Porto, stated.

Panos Konstantopoulos, President of the Kaizen Foundation, added: “It is a great honour for me, as well as for Kaizen Gaming and Betano, to present this initiative that aims at creating a more inclusive environment for individuals with difficulties in processing sensory information. The new sensory room at FC Porto's stadium is a significant step towards social integration and diversity. With the invaluable support of the President of FC Porto and in collaboration with the Escola Superior de Saúde do Politécnico do Porto, we were able to create a safe and pleasant space. At Betano, we are committed to continuously supporting initiatives that promote social awareness and equality for all. We sincerely thank FC Porto for their collaboration and for the opportunity to contribute to the creation of a World that accepts and supports inclusion".

INZONE is divided into three areas:

Zone 1 - Sensory Room: a space with direct visibility to the pitch, where it is possible to watch the football game with control of all sensory stimuli. Unlike the stadium environment, within the sensory room, it is possible to control the amount, intensity and frequency of the different sensory stimuli (sound and light can be controlled: the room is soundproofed and with dimmable light). The room is also equipped with materials and equipment (visual, auditory, tactile, proprioceptive and vestibular elements) that allow the user to self-regulate in situations of overstimulation and maintain alertness and attention throughout the game. Materials such as sound blockers, regulatory toys and access to augmentative media are also available. Inside the room it is also possible to use Virtual Reality to experience different relaxing environments.

Zone 2 - Intermediate zone: transition space between the sensory room (zone 1) and zone 3. In this area, the user has less control over the environment, but maintains access to proprioceptive, tactile and vestibular elements that facilitate their regulation in a less controlled environment. In situations of overstimulation and in the face of difficulty in managing sensory stimuli, the user can always return to the Sensory Room and regain control of the environment.

Zone 3 - Stand: space adjacent to Zone 2. This zone allows for the first moment when the INZONE user attends the game together with other fans, but there is still a possibility of returning to the previous zones whenever necessary. It should be noted that each user of INZONE will have different specificities and, consequently, different needs.

Thus, the user can watch the game in the area where they feel most comfortable and safe, and can also move between areas during the game. This experience will always be monitored, evaluated and mediated by qualified health professionals.

Access to INZONE is conditioned and carried out through a specific internal circuit, in order to ensure maximum control of external stimuli and avoid situations of overstimulation (crowding of people or intense noise).

INZONE, recognizing the heterogeneity of its target audience, assumes itself as an integrative, inclusive and evolutionary space over time. Given the scarcity of experience and studies with this type of projects, in the future, in partnership with ESS | P. Porto, scientific researches on this subject will be created.

FC Porto and its partners in this project believe that INZONE, developed in accordance with UEFA guidelines, will be an excellent example of how football should be a promoter of inclusion, thus fulfilling the purpose of not letting football be out of the reach of anyone.