Not every Disability is Visible campaign highlights need for more awareness

Crohn’s and Colitis UK set up their Not Every Disability is Visible campaign in 2016 after being inspired by Grace Warnock, a young campaigner. The project aimed to speak to UK supermarkets and other businesses to change their accessible toilet signs to highlight that not every disability is visible.

Image:  Crohn's and Colitis UK

Thanks to their efforts, nearly 2,500 branches of the UK’s leading supermarkets changed their signs, 15 of the UK’s major travel hubs and 150 shopping centres have also followed suit. More than 80% of people with the conditions said they felt more comfortable in places with the signage installed when asked. However, recent reports have shown that more needs to be done to highlight awareness around less visible disabilities. One in two people with Crohn’s or Colitis have been refused access or confronted when trying to use an accessible toilet because their condition isn’t immediately visible.

According to reports out this week, half of the people in the UK living with inflammatory bowel disease have received verbal and physical abuse when trying to use an accessible toilet. A separate survey revealed that 93% of people think that challenging a healthy-looking person using an accessible toilet is the right thing to do. However, this stigma is forcing people to either have accidents or preventing them from leaving the house.

CEO of Crohn’s and Colitis UK, Sarah Sleet, said: “We know that if the public better understand the symptoms of these conditions, they will be more considerate and supportive of people who feel too ashamed or embarrassed to talk about their Crohn’s or Colitis. It is vitally important that everyone get involved with the campaign to help increase understanding of the true impact of these conditions.”

This year, the campaign is focusing on getting restaurants and pubs across the UK to change their accessible toilet signage to allow more people with Crohn’s, Colitis and other invisible disabilities peace of mind when out and about.

Find out more about the campaign here.