{"id":8672,"date":"2018-07-11T07:51:49","date_gmt":"2018-07-11T07:51:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/designbuybuild.co.uk\/?p=8672"},"modified":"2018-07-11T07:51:49","modified_gmt":"2018-07-11T07:51:49","slug":"innova-scores-a-hat-trick-with-changing-places-in-football-stadiums","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/designbuybuild.co.uk\/innova-scores-a-hat-trick-with-changing-places-in-football-stadiums\/","title":{"rendered":"Innova scores a hat-trick with Changing Places in football stadiums"},"content":{"rendered":"

Leading healthcare equipment supplier Innova Care Concepts has been chosen to supply and install three Changing Place facilities in football stadiums across the North East of England.<\/p>\n

The company has been working with top-tier football clubs since the Equality and Human Rights Commission published a report revealing that only half of Premiership clubs had stuck to their agreement to install a Changing Place by August 2017.<\/p>\n

The Changing Places campaign was set up in 2006 to highlight the fact that standard accessible toilets simply do not meet the needs of the wider disabled community. People with multiple and profound learning disabilities, as well as people with physical disabilities like multiple sclerosis and spinal injuries will need additional facilities and equipment to go about their day. Changing Places provide the right equipment and space needed for these people to use the toilet in a safe and dignified manner.<\/p>\n

Innova has already installed Changing Places at St James\u2019 Park and Riverside Stadium \u2013 the homes of Newcastle United and Middlesbrough FC respectively. The company will also be installing a Changing Place at Sunderland AFC\u2019s home ground next month.<\/p>\n

Tom Hulbert, Managing Director at Innova said:<\/p>\n

\u201cChanging Places are so important. You see them popping up in the news more and more \u2013 and with good reason. Premier League football clubs might finally be taking notice of the lack of accessibility they offer, but that doesn\u2019t mean that clubs in lower tiers shouldn\u2019t be taking action as well.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Campaigners are putting more pressure on public facilities like theme parks and shopping centres that do not currently have a Changing Place installed. With the demand for accessible facilities growing, Innova has taken the decision to hire a new member of staff to deal specifically with these projects.<\/p>\n

Innova\u2019s new Changing Places Consultant, Richard Smaldon, said:<\/p>\n

\u201cI am delighted to be supporting the Innova team at such an important time for accessibility and inclusive design. Our goal is to install Changing Places in as many public spaces as possible ensuring that people with health conditions or impairments have the right facilities that they need.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re already in talks with other football clubs and sports stadiums that are looking to install Changing Places, but we\u2019re also exploring opportunities with many progressive public venues. I look forward to Changing Places being readily available wherever disabled persons enjoy spending their time.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Changing Place facilities are specifically designed to provide the best equipment and support to most people with profound and complex disabilities. They include overhead hoist systems, changing benches, and other specialist equipment as is detailed here<\/a>.<\/p>\n