Arsenal Football Club’s Emirates Stadium recently launched the 600th “Changing Places” fully accessible disabled toilet at the Club’s Premier League game against West Ham in April.
Changing Places toilets are larger than a standard accessible toilet and include a height-adjustable bench, a hoist and room for up two carers. Arsenal fan and Mencap Campaigns Assistant Leroy Binns officially opened the facility alongside journalist and presenter, Alex Brooker who is best known for his work with Channel 4 and its coverage of the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games.
The Changing Places facility is just one of a number of continued investments Arsenal makes for its disabled supporters and forms an important part of Arsenal’s equality and diversity campaign, ‘Arsenal for Everyone’ which strives to ensure supporters, staff and everyone connected to Arsenal Football Club feels an equal sense of belonging.
Alun Francis, Arsenal Disability Liaison Officer, said: “We are all incredibly proud to be the first Premier League stadium to install a Changing Places toilet. Arsenal values everyone connected to the Club and we want all visitors to Emirates Stadium to feel like they belong here and enjoy an equal match day experience without the stress that standard accessible toilets can cause.”
Leroy Binns of Mencap’s Campaigns and Policy team, who has a learning disability, said: “I have campaigned for a Premier League football club to install a Changing Places toilet for years. Many people with a disability who are huge football fans can’t watch their favourite teams at their ground as the toilets are not suitable for them.”
“I am delighted my club Arsenal are first in the Premier League – in installing the toilet, which will make the ground far more accessible to fans with a disability. I hope other Premiership teams follow and realise the importance of stadiums having equal access to fans with a disability.”
Article originally appeared on the Arsenal.com website.