New signs will be displayed on disabled toilets in the borough to tackle the stigma and misunderstanding around invisible disabilities.

Swale council has placed 11 signs on loos on the Isle of Sheppey and in Sittingbourne and Faversham as they show their support for the nationwide campaign started by Crohn's & Colitis UK.

The new signs will have a picture of a man, woman and person in wheelchair with writing underneath reading "not every disability is visible".

Two will appear on disabled toilets at the library in Central Avenue, the Forum shopping centre car park, both in Sittingbourne.

Six more will be seen on the Island at Rose Street car park in Sheerness, the Grove Services and The Spinney in Leysdown, Queenborough Park in Queenborough, and The White House and Bartons Point, both in Minster.

In Faversham the new signs can be found at Central car park, Faversham Recreation Ground in Park Road and Oare Gunpowder Works visitor centre.

Cabinet member for health and wellbeing Cllr Angela Harrison said: “We’ve installed not every disability is visible signs on all of our disabled toilets in Swale in support of those living with Crohn’s, Colitis and any other invisible disability.

'We hope these new signs will create an accessible space for those living with any invisible disabilities...'

“This nationwide campaign by registered charity Crohn’s & Colitis UK is something that we are proud to be part of.

“We join supermarkets, restaurants, football grounds and airports among other outlets to support the charity’s mission to help change the perceptions of disability and tackle stigma.

“Crohn’s and Colitis are lifelong diseases of the gut that effect an estimated 500,000 people in the UK, and more than 50 per cent of these have had a negative experience using an accessible toilet.

“We hope these new signs will create an accessible space for those living with any invisible disabilities.”

Crohn’s & Colitis UK campaigns manager Sarah Hollobone added: “It is great to see Swale council supporting our campaign.

"One in two people living with Crohn’s or Colitis report having a negative experience when trying to use an accessible toilet – many facing verbal or physical discrimination.

"These accessible toilet signs, alongside training staff about the conditions, are vital in challenging outdated perceptions of what disability looks like.

“Crohn’s & Colitis UK’s 2020 Life in Lockdown survey also showed 57% of people with Crohn’s or Colitis were concerned about access to toilets when out, which pushes people with chronic conditions further into isolation during this difficult time.

“Having our campaign signs on local, accessible toilets really can make a difference to those living with invisible conditions - 83% of our supporters told us they feel more comfortable visiting venues with the accessible toilet signs installed.

“Swale Council now joins the other 3,000 outlets across the country that are helping create a discrimination free space for those needing quick access to accessible toilets.”

To find toilets in the borough, visit here.

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