A major anxiety for people living with Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis, is being refused toilet access or being confronted about why they are using a disabled facility.
Whilst someone may look healthy and ‘okay’ on the outside, they may be living with a medical condition and urgently need to use ‘disabled’ or ‘accessible’ facilities.
That's why the new signage, displayed in four shopping centres (Idlewells in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Market Gates in Great Yarmouth, Middleton in Greater Manchester and Clyde Shopping Centre in Clydebank) uses the strapline: ‘not every disability is visible’.
We want to make sure all of our customers feel comfortable when visiting our shopping centres. We’re delighted to install these new signs that help to both increase awareness that not all disabilities are visible, and to ensure that anyone who needs to, can feel confident using our accessible toilets. Following the installation we have had excellent feedback from our customers.
Andrew Forrester
Associate Director, Ashdown Phillips
We have been campaigning to change accessible toilet signage across the UK to help raise awareness that not every disability is visible and to improve the quality of life for those with Crohn’s and Colitis.
Thanks to our amazing supporters, the campaign has been a success so far with the UK’s largest supermarkets all adopting the new signage in over 2,500 stores nationwide.
It’s a fantastic step by Ashdown Phillips to install the signage in their shopping centres, helping thousands of its customers with hidden disabilities. Crohn’s & Colitis UK hear of far too many people that are abused for using the accessible toilet facilities they need. Which is why installing this new signage reminding people that not every disability is visible, is so crucial by tackling stigma and giving those with hidden disabilities that extra bit of confidence to get out of their house to go shopping.
Andy McGuinness
Campaigns Manager, Crohn's & Colitis UK
With shopping centres also adopting new accessible toilet signs, this small change will make a big and effective difference to all their customers living with hidden medical conditions, ensuring that they can access the facilities they need without fear of criticism or embarrassment.
