From today, disabledcustomers and their carers will find a new accessible toilet facilityHovertravel’s Ryde Terminal. Fully funded by South Western Railway’s IslandLine, the new toilet is accessed via a key which can be requested from theHovertravel staff.
MarkDunn, Island Line General Manager,explains: ““We are delighted to have been able to support this project throughour Customer and Communities Improvement Fund. Schemes which help improveaccessibility are important to our communities, and facilities such as ChangingPlaces toilets can be vital for people who require assistance from theircarers. We hope these new facilities will help people with additional needs tofeel more confident when traveling to and from the Isle of Wight.”
The Changing Places roomoffers a wider range of services than a standard accessible (disabled) toilet.The facilities include:
The Changing PlacesConsortium was established in 2005 to encourage the provision of betterfacilities for the 250,000 people living with disabilities in the UK and setminimum standards for such facilities. There are currently 1736 Changing Placestoilets in the UK.
Neil Chapman, managingdirector of Hovertravel, said:
“We must express our thanksto Island Line which has been able to continue to invest in much neededfacilities for visitors to Ryde. Standard accessible toilets do not meet theneeds of all people with a disability. People with profound and multiple learningdisabilities, as well people with other physical disabilities such as spinalinjuries, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis often need extra equipmentand space to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably. These needsare met by Changing Places toilets and now customers and their carers can cometo our hovercraft terminals knowing they’ll be able go to the toilet withdignity and freedom.”
Hovertravel’s award winningaccessibility initiative, HoverCare, was created to promote access for all andthere are now Changing Places toilets at both Hovertravel terminals.