The Camping and Caravanning Club claims to have hit targets ahead of the October 1 deadline for accessibility under the terms of the Disability Discrimination Act.
The 400,000 member-strong Club says it welcomes people with disabilities and has ensured that all the Club's holiday site managers and area managers have received disability awareness training
For many years the Club has had a rolling programme of improvements to its
sites for campers and caravanners with special needs and the vast majority
of sites now have dedicated facilities for people with special needs.
Gary Fletcher, Club Sites Director said: "Many club sites now have
a dedicated washing, showering and toilet facility for people with special
needs. "
Most of the Club's award-winning network of sites includes a heated room
with a washbasin that provides space underneath so a wheelchair can be pulled
up close and a mirror at a suitable height for wheelchair users as well
as those able to walk. There is a trayless shower with wet and dry areas
and a slide-through facility, making it possible for wheelchair users to
transfer to a bench and slide along between wet and dry areas. The toilet
is raised to wheelchair height and there is space at the side for a wheelchair
so that transferring is easy.
These dedicated facilities are equipped with strategically placed emergency
pull cords to let the holiday site manager know if there is a problem. Doors
open outwards, so helpers can gain emergency access even if the person inside
has fallen behind the door.
On more recent sites, all fittings, such as grab rails, toilet paper holder,
toilet seat, are in a dark colour to contrast with the white sanitary ware
and walls to give better definition for those with impaired vision. The
club is also introducing tactile paving at entrances to main facilities
as an aid to visitors with partial sight.
Says Gary Fletcher: "We review the facilities we provide on an ongoing
basis, not just to comply with the Act, but to exceed its requirements and
make the stay on our site a totally enjoyable experience. To this end, our
Holiday Site Managers endeavour to provide disabled campers with pitches
close to facilities and to make signing in as easy as possible by providing
a clipboard for use at wheelchair height."