A MATTER OF All fans should have the right to use a toilet
IMAGINE having to choose between risking going to a sporting event knowing there will be no toilet facilities you can use, or not going at all.
That’s the reality for many disabled sports enthusiasts and athletes.
Now a group of disabled fans are calling on the Government to update legislation and allow all people, regardless of disability, to visit and take part in sporting fixtures by making Changing Places toilets compulsory at venues.
Changing Places facilities provide extra equipment and space to allow disabled people to use the toilet safely and comfortably.
A Change.org petition has been launched, calling for Changing Places toilets to be mandatory in UK sports venues with a capacity of more than 350 people.
Fewer than 10% of sports venues in the UK currently include the facility, meaning disabled fans and athletes are often unable to visit or take part in sporting fixtures.
Legislation in England requires all new builds for more than 350 people to have a Changing Places facility, but there is no such requirement for existing venues.
Francesca Dean, Rachel Bury, and Zack Kerr – who all have cerebral palsy and are wheelchair users – are backing the #RiseForSport campaign led by RISE Adaptations – one of the UK’s few Changing Places providers, which helps to change existing spaces into Changing Places Toilets or build CPTs as an add-on to existing buildings.
Together, they have launched the petition, insisting it is a “matter of dignity”.
Zack, 27, from Accrington, has previously successfully campaigned to introduce the toilets in motorway service stations, and is now turning his focus to sports venues.
He said: “I am a very sociable person and live life to the full. I enjoy all sorts of leisure activities and getting out and about as often as I can, but going to sporting events is either a huge gamble, taking a risk of having no accessible facilities available, or not going out at all.
“Even leisure facilities such as swimming pools and sports centres rarely have Changing
Places Toilets, making visits as a supporter, spectator, or participant almost impossible. This restricts my ability to experience these events and also my ability to spend quality time with family and friends at such events.”
Francesca, 28, from Rossendale, said: “Having more toilets would provide more comfort and dignity to people in the same or similar situation as myself. Disability shouldn’t still be a taboo subject – this needs to change.”
And Rachel, 35, from Accrington, added: “If I knew Changing Places Toilets would be available at these locations it would mean so much to me and would help give me confidence to try things again or maybe even some new hobbies.”
Changing Places campaigner Jane Cooper, said: “Things are getting better, and we are seeing more and more Changing Places Toilets installed in shopping centres, attractions, motorway services and leisure centres, but sports venues are severely lagging behind. Hopefully this petition can help change this.”
LETTER TO MINISTERS
Former Paralympic wheelchair racer Anne Wafula Strike, pictured, now a disability access and inclusion campaigner and motivational speaker, has written an open letter to the Secretary of State for Sport, Lucy Frazer, and Minister of State for Disabled People, Tom Pursglove
Dear Ministers,
I am calling on you as decision make accessible and inclusive to all by pro Places toilets and make sure that we
This is an urgent issue and needs t change in legislation.
I’ve heard from sports fans about th to their lives when the club or team t