DisabledGo supports the Changing Places Campaign

February 14 2007

www.disabledgo.info is delighted to add its support to the Changing Places campaign for fully accessible public toilet facilities for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Changing Places toilets include an adult-sized, height-adjustable changing bench, hoist and plenty of space.

DisabledGo is designed to empower disabled people to get out and do what they want to do in their own community or in towns and cities they would like to visit. It works in partnership with local authorities and local disabled people to develop a free at the point of access online access guide for a town or city.

DisabledGo is unique in sending trained researchers to visit every venue and business listed in their guides. This means disabled people can be confident that the information provided is comprehensive and reliable.
DisabledGo will be supporting the campaign by adding information about Changing Places toilets to their detailed access guides, which will include a clear photograph.

Users of www.disabledgo.info will be able to search for these facilities using the Changing Places symbol in a quick search of an area’s venues, and can be assured that each Changing Places toilet featured has been visited in person by one of DisabledGo’s trained researchers.
DisabledGo will also support the campaign by raising awareness of Changing Places toilets through ongoing consultation with groups of and for disabled people throughout the UK, and through the excellent relationships with their partners including Local Authorities.

'DisabledGo is passionately committed to empowering disabled people to access all their community has to offer,’ says Dr. Gregory Burke, Chief Executive of DisabledGo. ‘The Changing Places campaign aims to give people the freedom to enjoy and contribute to their society, which we support wholeheartedly. We are delighted that the information Changing Places provides for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities will now appear on our Access Guides with every facility visited onsite and in person. www.disabledgo.info serves over 60,000 people every month generating over 1 million hits. We are in continuous consultation with disabled people across the UK and I know that this addition will be welcomed.'

To see a typical example of DisabledGo’s work visit Eccelshill Pool Bradford

Background and Development of DisabledGo

DisabledGo is a social enterprise designed by disabled people for disabled people. We are supported by our corporate sponsor, Marks & Spencer, as well as leading Local Authorities and Local Strategic Partnerships throughout the UK.

Service users can find access information on the venues they wish to visit in their own town or city or a town or city they are interested in visiting.

DisabledGo is the product of unprecedented consultation with over 100 groups of and for disabled people. This input helped shape our unique ‘fine grain’ research methodology for reviewing venue accessibility and continues to inform our future development.

The presence of a DisabledGo Access Guide encourages our service users, measured at over 60,000 unique users a month, to visit your area. Improved information on accessibility and positive engagement from local businesses also enables local disabled residents to explore new goods and services in their communities.