BT Murrayfield's Changing Places toilet helps cater for all
Published On Tue 9 Dec 2014 by Roddy Isles
BT Murrayfield today (December 9th) welcomed the official opening of Scotland's 100th Changing Places toilet, a facility which will improve the provision for disabled fans at the stadium.
The newly-installed toilet, launched in conjunction with charity Profound and Multiple Impairment Service (PAMIS) and their Changing Places campaign, is larger than a standard disabled toilet and includes a height-adjustable changing bench, a hoist, and enough room for a wheelchair, its user and two carers.
Changing Places toilets allow people with profound and multiple learning disabilities – as well as people with physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy – to enjoy the freedom to partake in activities, and attend events as they wish, knowing that venues are able to support their needs.
Loretto Lambe, CEO of the University of Dundee-based charity PAMIS, and founder of the Changing Places campaign, said, “I have campaigned for a number of years to get a high profile stadium in Scotland to install a Changing Places toilet.
“Many people with complex disabilities will now have access for the first time to BT Murrayfield and can enjoy the rugby, concerts and other events the stadium offers alongside everyone else.”
Mark Laidlaw, Scottish Rugby's Director of Management Services, said, “BT Murrayfield is a stadium which welcomes all, and with the installation of the Changing Places toilet, we are better catered for our spectators and visitors at the great range of events we host.
“Scottish Rugby is continually upgrading its facilities to enhance the experience for all those attending the stadium, and this is just one of the many ways in which we are doing so.”
Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Health Improvement, Sport and Mental Health, said, “When the Scottish Government launched our strategy for learning disability last year we made a commitment that there should be at least 100 changing places toilets around Scotland by July 2015.
“I'm delighted that this target has been reached before time, and I congratulate Scottish Rugby for taking this important step at BT Murrayfield.
“These toilets are excellent facilities, and having them available in key locations means a huge amount to the people who need them.”
The facility at BT Murrayfield is a huge milestone for the Changing Places campaign in Scotland which, for the past eight years, has called for an increase in the number of fully accessible toilets in public places so that people who are dependent upon them can enjoy the same freedom as individuals without disabilities.
For further information on the Changing Places campaign, please visit: http://www.pamis.org.uk/
Roddy Isles
Head of Press
TEL: 01382 384910
MOBILE: 07800 581902
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk