New Accessible Changing Places Facility opens in Titanic Belfast

A Changing Places facility, designed for people with multiple and complex disabilities, has been installed in Titanic Belfast.

The Changing Places toilet is an accessible facility for disabled people who cannot use a standard accessible toilet. It has more space and the right equipment, including a height adjustable changing bench, a peninsular toilet, a ceiling hoist, privacy screen and space for carers or assistants.

Judith Owens MBE, Chief Executive of Titanic Belfast said: “At Titanic Belfast we are continually working hard to create an inclusive and accessible visitor attraction for all. We want to make sure that when visitors with additional needs plan a trip, that they have the same opportunities as everyone else to enjoy their time making memories with their families, friends and loved ones.

As part of this, we are pleased to open our new Changing Places facility and we were delighted to welcome Michaela Hollywood, who is one of our regular visitors to officially open the new facility. With the introduction of Changing Places, we hope it will give more disabled people and their carers the space and equipment they need to have the confidence to leave their homes for longer and have an enjoyable day out.”

Michaela Hollywood MBE, Deputy CEO of Pathfinders Neuromuscular Alliance and disability rights activist said: “I am absolutely delighted that Titanic Belfast has a Changing Places facility. It means that for people like me, who can’t get out of their wheelchair without the use of a hoist or bench, we now can visit Titanic Belfast and go to the toilet like any other visitor. Changing Places are becoming more popular in Northern Ireland and across the UK, but they are not internationally. Having so many tourists here from other countries seeing the Changing Places facility will help spread that global message of toilet equality and inclusion, and that’s what really brings about change.”

“With over 16 million people in the UK having a disability, we at Titanic Belfast know how important it is for businesses to be inclusive for all guests. As part of last year’s gallery refreshment programme, we ensured accessibility was taken into consideration at every turn. We worked with various organisations and charities covering off a number of different accessible needs, who provided input and insights to our plans and tested the new spaces for us ahead of opening to ensure we had catered for those with additional needs as much as possible.

We make significant contributions on an ongoing basis as part of our diversity and inclusion strategy, having invested £200k in the last year across the business with the introduction of Changing Places and new British Sign Language and audio-described Multi-Media Guides due to be implemented ahead of high-season.

While we can do all we can at Titanic Belfast to make sure we cater for our guests’ needs, it’s equally important that as a wider destination we come together to make the city as accessible as possible. Having recently hosted Belfast City Council’s inclusive tourism seminar for destination and industry partners in collaboration with Tourism NI and Visit Belfast, it’s fantastic to see everyone playing their part in in mapping out an inclusive future, as we are much stronger together.” Judith added.