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Premier League needs to act on installing Changing Places toilets
We are reaffirming our call on Premier League clubs to install Changing Places toilets as the start of the 2019/20 season approaches.
Currently, five clubs – newly-promoted Sheffield United, Aston Villa and Norwich, and Bournemouth and Wolves – do not have a registered permanent Changing Places toilet available at their stadium. Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Burnley have confirmed they are in the process of registering their respective Changing Places toilets.
To show which teams are performing well Muscular Dystrophy UK, co-chairs of the Consortium who are respondible for the campaign in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, have created a Changing Place Premier League table.
Harry Bestwick, 14, has been an Arsenal season ticket holder for four years. He said:
I have been privileged to visit many different stadiums while following Arsenal. For a good overall matchday experience, stadiums must have accessible parking for disabled people, as well as good transport links. When inside the ground, accessible Changing Places toilets and adequate viewing for disabled people are essential.
For me, the Emirates is brilliant. It is easily accessible by train, which isn’t always the case with other stadiums, which I’ve always driven to. All stadiums must have accessible wheelchair areas to watch the game and unrestricted wheelchair viewing. The best part of my matchday experience is mixing with all the other fans and seeing games live.
What we are calling for
We believe football should be accessible to everyone but we know that too many disabled fans are being put off going to matches because the facilities don't meet their needs. We welcome the positive changes many of the clubs have put in place over the last few years but there is still room for improvement.
The Consortium want to see at least one permanent Changing Places toilet at each Premier League ground by the start of the 2020/21 season.
We also know that other areas of access can be improved, which is why we’re calling for all clubs to ensure they have the minimum number of wheelchair spaces and publish up-to-date disability access statements.
What you can do
- Share our Premier League Changing Places table
- Tell us your matchday experiences – good or bad – by emailing changingplaces@musculardystrophyuk.org
- Encourage your team to install Changing Places toilets and commit to improving the matchday experience for disabled football fans. You can find a club directory here.
- Share these case studies below to show why Premier League stadiums need to up their game.
