“In the UK it is estimated that 300,000 people suffer from IBD.” – St Mark’s Hospital Foundation
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World IBD Day is a day in which people come together to raise awareness about Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the impacts the condition can have on both a person’s mental & physical health.
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“Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a term mainly used to describe 2 conditions: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
“Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease are long-term conditions that involve inflammation of the gut.
“Ulcerative colitis only affects the colon (large intestine). Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive system, from the mouth to the bottom (anus).” – The National Health Service (NHS)
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Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) & The Access Card
Here at The Access Card, we support many cardholders to help them discreetly communicate the barriers they might face when out and about or visiting shows, events or tourist destinations and have provided some more information about some of the typical access requirements we have processed.
Everyone is different and experiences their needs in different ways, but here are some examples based on our experience.
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Access to Toilets
If you require urgent access to the toilet because of your health condition, e.g. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or incontinence, we have the ‘WC’ symbol. This symbol discreetly communicates this access requirement with different providers.
Urgent access to the toilet is a different access requirement to a general need to use an accessible toilet and therefore the ‘WC’ symbol cannot be awarded for the latter. If you would like more information about this, please speak to a member of our team.
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Standing & Queuing
If you have difficulty with being in a queue for a significant period of time due to the urgency of your toileting needs, we have the ‘Standing & Queuing’ symbol to communicate this access requirement.
Different providers have their own ways of accommodating this access requirement.
For example, Thorpe Park accepts Access Cards with the ‘Standing & Queuing’ symbol as proof for a Ride Access Pass.
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What is a Ride Access Pass?
“A Ride Access Pass is a virtual queuing system designed to make reasonable adjustments to assist guests who do not understand the concept of queuing, have a physical disability that prevents them standing for extended periods of time or permanently non-ambulant guests.”
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Thinking of applying for a Card?
If you think the above would be useful for you and would like to apply for your Access Card you can do so quickly and easily by completing our short online application form and uploading some supporting information confirming your needs.
All applications received from people with IBD during World IBD Day (19th May 2021) can use the discount code ‘ibdday21’ to get £5 off a three-year Access Card.
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Further Sources of Information, Advice, and Support
Check out our full directory for how these symbols apply at over 1,000 venues in the UK and beyond.
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Crohn’s & Colitis UK
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“We’re here to give people affected by Crohn’s and Colitis hope, comfort and confidence. To make sure their voices are heard and help them live freer, fuller lives.”
Crohn’s & Colitis UK
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Tel: 01727 830 038
Web: www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk
Email: helpline@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk
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Catherine McEwan Foundation
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“Since 2003, The Catherine McEwan Foundation has been helping people living with Crohn’s and Colitis access better treatment, better care and live better lives. We change the lives of children, young people and adults with inflammatory bowel disease by funding much-needed improvements in IBD healthcare across Scotland, including investing in pioneering research.”
Catherine McEwan Foundation
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Tel: 0141 648 8800
Web: https://catherinemcewanfoundation.com/
Email: hello@catherinemcewanfoundation.com
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