Wetherspoons installs Not Every Disability is Visible toilet signs

A major anxiety for people living with a lifelong health condition, like Crohn's or Colitis, is being confronted about why they are using the accessible toilets they urgently need.

Half of people with Crohn’s or Colitis said they have felt prevented from going to restaurants (49%) and pubs (43%) because they fear discrimination. Whilst someone may look ‘okay’ on the outside, they may crucially need to use the accessible toilets, due to symptoms such as urgent and frequent diarrhoea.

JD Wetherspoon is the first pub chain to change their accessible toilet signage in response to tour Not Every Disability Is Visible campaign. Following an incident recently where a young woman, Amber Davies, was confronted by staff at a JD Wetherspoon pub for using the accessible toilets, the company is taking a positive step to end the stigma experienced by people living with invisible disabilities. 

Since the launch of the campaign at the beginning of April 2019, almost 50,000 emails have been sent to the 15 largest pub and restaurant chains across the country. The charity are now in discussions with 13 of these businesses about changing their signage, with JD Wetherspoon leading the way. As well as installing the new signage, they are raising much needed awareness of invisible conditions with staff. 

Over 80% of people with Crohn’s or Colitis said they feel more comfortable visiting places with the Not Every Disability is Visible signs installed, powerfully demonstrating that these signs have a real impact on people’s lives.