Penny Mordaunt, the minister for disabled people, has issued an urgent “call to arms” to Premier League clubs to deliver fully accessible toilets following the launch of a major scheme to increase participation.
Only seven clubs – Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Leicester City, Manchester City, Southampton and West Ham – have, or will imminently open, a ‘Changing Places’ facility for people with more complex needs than independent wheelchair users.
Campaigners have stressed that, without these facilities, which include a hoist and space for carers, many disabled fans either stay away from Premier League football or are forced to change on the dirty floors of an existing accessible toilet. The Accessible Stadia Guide also states that, “clubs should, wherever possible, consider installing a Changing Places at their stadium”.
The Premier League and BT Sport jointly committed last week to an enhanced disability programme and, having praised this scheme for helping to drive inclusion in sport, Mordaunt also stressed the need to improve. Speaking to an audience that included representatives of Premier League clubs, Mordaunt said: “Today, I just want to focus on one thing. It is a simple thing, relatively inexpensive to rectify and a barrier that for some of your fans is insurmountable to overcome to watch their team play a home game: fully accessible toilet facilities.
“Wouldn’t it be great if by the end of the season every Premier League club had such facilities? I am writing to all Premier League clubs to ask them to commit to do this. It is long overdue.”
The Telegraph last month revealed that only four clubs met the minimum recommended numbers for wheelchair space and some, including Liverpool and Chelsea, were expected to renege on a pledge to reach the standard next year.
Richard Scudamore, the Premier League chief executive, stressed that the clubs were in the process of widescale change that will make their stadiums far more accessible to disabled people.
“Our clubs are trying to reach that higher standard; they’re making huge progress and there’s an enormous amount of work going on,” he said. “Our aim is to get as close or if not over those guidelines by next August.
“It’s absolutely the right thing to do. I’m hugely encouraged. Do they all have a plan now? Yes. No club wants to be the one that hasn’t made the strides.”
From: The Telegraph
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6.10.16