This week we also contacted national and local newspapers, with an example below. Look out for more updates and activity that you can support.
Editor
The Daily Telegraph
London, SW1 W
11 August 2016
Dear Sir,
This week, one of the UK’s big four supermarkets made a fundamental move to help hundreds of thousands of people in the UK living with Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
ASDA, the UK’s 3rd largest retailer, has introduced a new accessible toilet sign in over 400 stores nationwide, and in doing so has drawn welcome attention to the truth that ‘not every disability is visible’.
For over 300,000 people in the UK living with Crohn's and Colitis – and other conditions whose potential severity means someone affected would benefit from using the accessible toilets - this is very welcome.
Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and symptoms include abdominal pain, loss of weight, diarrhoea and an urgent need to go to the toilet. It can be incredibly distressing for someone living with a serious medical condition - which isn't immediately apparent - to be confronted about why they are using a disabled toilet with the inevitable stigma impacting self esteem and confidence.
We sincerely hope that this simple device is a sign of things to come and we welcome the initiative being adopted by other UK retailers and businesses.
Yours faithfully,
David Barker,
Chief Executive, Crohn’s & Colitis UK
