Accessible toilet campaign continues

Published: 12 August 2016

Crohn's & Colitis UK supports Asda's accessible toilet sign and we will be stepping up the awareness and activity that 'not every disability is visible'.

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


More information

Related news

Read our latest news

Catch up on the latest news from Crohn’s & Colitis UK

Page
saved

This page has been saved in your personal space. Go to “My Page” to view all saved pages.

Helpline Service

Temporary closure - 10/06/2026

Our Helpline will be closed from Wednesday 10 June and will reopen at 10am on Monday 15 June.

We may be closed but we have lots of information here on our website.

If you need urgent medical advice you can call NHS 111 or in Northern Ireland phone your local Phone First. In an emergency call 999 or go to your nearest A&E.

If you need emotional support the Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 116 123.


We know it can be difficult to live with, or support someone living with Crohn’s or Colitis. But we’re with you. We can give you the right information and support at the right time.

We’re here for everyone.

How Can We Help?

  • We can help you understand Crohn’s and Colitis
  • Listen and talk about living with IBD
  • Help you connect with others in the Crohn’s and Colitis community
  • Give you contact details of specialist organisations
  • We can support you to live well with Crohn’s or Colitis and provide up-to-date, evidence-based information

Please be aware we’re not medically or legally trained. We cannot provide detailed financial or benefits advice or specialist emotional support.

Please contact us via telephone, email or LiveChat - 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday (except English bank holidays).

Live chat

If you need specific medical advice about your condition, your GP or IBD team will be best placed to help.

Would you like to save the changes made to this page?