Brighton and Hove FC Scores Access and Inclusion Award
Congratulations are in order to Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club for receiving the accolade of the Centre of Excellence Award; The American Express Community Stadium is the second stadium in the English Football League and fourth in the country to achieve the award, alongside Wembley, Pride Park and the Emirates.
The LPF Centre of Excellence Award is given to sporting venues that demonstrate the highest access and inclusion standards in accommodating disabled spectators and visitors on match and non-match days.
OpeMed are delighted at having been involved in the installation of the Changing Places Facility at the American Express Stadium and helping Albion to ensure that every fan, however able, has the best possible football experience. The facility is crucial to achieving this as access to basic toileting, which for many is possible only through a ceiling hoist and changing table, can enables disabled fans to stay for the duration of a whole match, or even come at all.
OpeMed are currently in talks with other Football Clubs regarding Changing Places; we look forward to helping expand accessibility for all disabled football fans. Changing Places facilities in Football Clubs across the UK would provide disabled visitors with their basic human right, to use the toilet safely and with dignity.
OpeMed, as Co-Sponsors of the Changing Places campaign, are considered experts in designing and installing these facilities. Our Changing Places Equipment Guide, is a tool designed to outline the products necessary to reach a Changing Places status and the specification of the room; a hoist and changing table amongst other important equipment, take a look here.
David Davies added, “The truth is, Brighton are leading the way in looking after their supporters. On behalf of Level Playing Field, I want to say thank you to Brighton for getting it done and showing what can be done.”
In the New Year, the Changing Places Campaign reached 900 facilities in the UK. Albion should be proud to add to that number and OpeMed look forward to helping increase that number further over the coming year.
Exposure in current media has recently increased due to high profile cases and headlines; Anna Wafula Strike and her lack of toileting facilities on a 3 hour train ride and the buggy vs. wheelchair on public transport court case most recently. This has all increased the profile of Changing Places and helped solidify their importance in improving accessibility in the UK to the public.
For more information about the Brighton & Hove Changing Places, click here.
To find out more about the Changing Places campaign, click here.
To contact us to discuss your Changing Places project, click here.