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AccessoLoo Changing Experiences At Sporting Events in Birmingham

During the summer of 2022, AccessoLoo has been commissioned to provide pop-up Changing Places facilities in Birmingham and surrounding areas to bring incloosive access for sports fans from around the world.

Sporting events in Birmingham, Coventry & Royal Leamington Spa to benefit from AccessoLoo Changing Places

Sportsmen & women from around the world will descend on the West Midlands this summer to celebrate a festival of sport not seen since the Gold Coast Games 2018. With para-sports also integrated into these games, there will be added interest from those who love watching parasports.

National flags from around the Commonwealth
National flags from around the Commonwealth

With outdoor events, a particular feature of the sports to be played, the need to provide accessible facilities to support visitors and fans alike, AccessoLoo was commissioned to provide a series of pop-up Changing Places to be made available during July and August to make each location as accessible to all, as possible.

Our newly designed units will be completely off-grid and self-sufficient; attended throughout the event by AccessoLoo staff to ensure useability and cleanliness. We were delighted to have been selected and feel that it is a genuine recognition that those of us with disabilities are more than capable of coming up with solutions to meet the needs of our community.

The units are currently being redesigned and upgraded at our headquarters in Saintfield, County Down, prior to transportation to the West Midlands in mid-July. Everyone at AccessoLoo is extremely excited about the project and hopes to be able to get the opportunity to view some of the sporting events themselves, whilst in Birmingham.

Accessibility

Competition venues will be as accessible as possible, utilising existing, and incorporating temporary, accessible facilities and services. Birmingham 2022 aims to provide a consistent, high level of accessibility, across all competition venues.

Across the Birmingham 2022 venues, there will be a variety of facilities and services such as accessible shuttle buses, blue badge parking, assistance dog spending areas, quiet spaces, electric wheelchair charging points, accessible units for food, drink, and merchandise, as well as hearing augmentation.

So where will you be able to find one of our AccessoLoo Changing Places?

COVENTRY STADIUM & ARENA

An Ariel shot of Coventry Stadium and Arena
Coventry Stadium & Arena

Externally there are some changes in level with ramped access around the building. Internally the venue has step-free access and will have a range of existing accessible facilities as well as our Changing Places which will be located outside.

Sporting events taking place here include Judo, Wrestling & Rugby Sevens.

VICTORIA PARK – ROYAL LEAMINGTON SPA

Crown green bowling at Victoria Park
Bowling green, Victoria Park

Off the pathways, areas of the park may not be suitable for those with limited mobility or wheelchair and mobility scooter users.

Sporting events here will be in the form of lawn bowls and para-lawn bowls.

BRIMINGHAM SMITHFIELD

Artist impression of Smithfield in Birmingham
Smithfield (artist impression)

The site will have step-free access, excellent public transport links, and offer temporary accessible facilities which include 2 of our Changing Places. This is an outdoor venue without cover.

Para-athletics, as well as wheelchair 3×3 basketball, will be taking place here alongside athletics and 3×3 basketball, and beach volleyball.

With the sporting events due to be completed by mid-August, this addition to the AccessoLoo calendar will certainly keep us extremely busy during the summer months and it is a challenge that we are all certainly looking forward to. AccessoLoo staff will be wearing our regular workwear and our vehicles have our regular livery, so if you see us – from wherever you have travelled from in the world, please stop us and say hello.

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