​Crohn's and Colitis UK launches a new campaign to improve travel for people living with IBD

A new campaign to highlight the stigma of invisible disabilities is calling for the UK’s major travel hubs to update their disabled toilet signs.

Supporters of the campaign being led by Crohn’s and Colitis UK have sent over 20,000 emails to various major travel hubs. As a result, seven travel companies have already agreed to either discuss these changes with Crohn's and Colitis UK or fully introduce the new signs.

Amongst these travel companies are Belfast International Airport, Gatwick Airport and Moto Hospitality service stations.

Around 300,000 people in the UK live with Crohn’s or Colitis and they will often have to use a disabled toilet when travelling.

In a new survey of people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), 72% of respondents said they felt their condition limited their travel.

One respondent revealed: “At times I’ve thought I’d rather have an accident in public than be confronted about using a disabled toilet.”

This campaign about hidden disability is aiming to give these people more confidence when travelling, and challenging the notion that all disabilities are visible.

In a previous Crohn’s and Colitis UK campaign, four major supermarkets Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Waitrose agreed to adopt this accessible signage in a massive success for the organisation.

Winner of the best UK airport, Newcastle International Airport, has already pledged its support. Crohn’s and Colitis UK hopes this will spur on the campaign and make change happen faster.

Find out more about the campaign here.