It was during a zoom meeting with members of other DSA, I got the idea of writing an article about employees of Hull City who may have a disability or a neurodivergent condition. I sent an email to Brendon Smurthwaite to find out if there was anyone who might be willing to answer some questions and allow me to write about their experiences.
I was shocked to receive an email from our very own Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) Leanne Jensen asking me to ring her about this. To say I was surprised was an understatement; but once she explained that she is neurodivergent and has children who are also neurodivergent, I felt privileged that Leanne was willing to trust me to write about her, her family and her experiences.
Leanne explained that discussing everything could be quite overwhelming, and so asked me to write down my questions and allow her time to answer them, which I was more than happy to do, she explained that she has had quite a journey not only with her own children, but in self discovery. So during a meeting one morning I handed her a piece of paper with my handwritten questions to her and waited.
Below are the questions I asked and Leanne’s answers in her own words.
What does a DLO do?
As a Disability Liaison Officer, I am here to make sure that fans with disabilities can access facilities that the club provides, both safely and comfortably, to create a positive matchday experience for all fans. I work with all different departments around the club to ensure that facilities are provided and kept up to standard throughout matchdays.
What is your background in relation to the role?
I have worked in customer service in housing for a very long time and spent a few years working with the elderly in retirement housing. There, I learnt a lot about different people’s physical needs and also conditions such as dementia. I gave up this role after I had my twins.
My twins are on the autism spectrum and I have spent the last few years educating myself on how to support them so they can thrive. I have worked with charities who provided me with training on navigating the health and education systems, and arranged fundraisers and events for both children and parents to celebrate neurodiversity and give back to those who helped us through a very difficult time.
How long have you been in the role and what attracted you to it?
I applied for the role in August 2023. After organising a fundraiser with my best friend, I realised my own personal need to go back into work.
I went into the interview very open about my experience and was passionate about making experiences more inclusive and catering to different disabilities. I laid out the issues I have with my children and told Andrew and Brendon that I would like to make a difference to help families like ours.
Have Hull City made any adaptations/amendments to the role or work environment to make it easier for you?
When I first came into the role, I masked quite heavily as that is what I always did at workplaces previously. This isn’t how I wanted it to be, but I did struggle to be my true self. The team really changed this. As I got to know people, I explained my differences and their acceptance allowed me to show my true self. I have to give huge credit to Brendon who has asked questions from the start and has wanted to learn to be able to understand how he can make a difference.
How do you feel your disability helps you as a DLO?
Thinking about both myself and my children, I never say that they have a disability. What we have is an additional need; we are only as disabled as the environment makes us. I am confident that I have the knowledge and experience to be able to make that environment as inclusive as I possibly can to prevent people feeling so isolated by disabilities.
Have you encountered any challenges as DLO because of your disability, if so, how did you or the club overcome them?
I struggle to speak publicly. Autism can make people very anxious and I am a very self-critical person. I made Brendon and Andrew aware of this and they have always kept that in mind when we are doing events etc.
Do you think that by employing someone with a disability as DLO, Hull City send a positive message to fans?
Yes, most definitely, especially for the younger fans who are able to see that having a disability or an additional need cannot stop you from making a difference.
Has there been a moment/event that has been the most positive since you started the role?
Coming back into the new season, making physical changes to the stadium and seeing the environment and people around me becoming more inclusive is the biggest success I could have hoped for. We are still making progress day by day and we have so many exciting ideas throughout the team to keep making improvements.
What would success as a DLO look like for you?
Success for me isn’t just me making changes at the club, it is the people at the club around me understanding why we need those changes. I see staff around me catering to different needs, whether they need ear defenders or a helping hand, and that is true success to me.
Hull City DSA would like to thank Leanne for taking the time out to talk to our secretary.
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