New seat and toilet scheme launches to improve city centre accessibility

As part of work to make York more accessible, City of York Council and 55 city-wide partners are launching a scheme to give more people a seat or toilet.

‘For Your Convenience’ partners display stickers in their windows. These invite customers and visitors who have a disability, a long-term health condition or frailty, to use the locations’ seats and/or toilets without obligation or the need to make a purchase.

This improved scheme follows feedback from a consultation by City of York Council about wider accessibility improvements across the city, and discussions with the toilet stakeholder group. Feedback on the previous ‘Take A Seat’ scheme run by charity Home Instead, suggested that locations could be easier to identify, that more information was provided around accessibility, and that we encouraged more businesses to take part.

Scheme participants are each given window stickers to display at ‘For Your Convenience’ locations. They were designed in consultation with York Accessibility Forum, Age Friendly York and York BID, and were checked against new accessibility criteria.

The stickers indicate the facilities each site offers. They include:

• Access: if there is or isn’t step-free access, or wheelchair accessibility
• Seating: if any seating has or hasn’t arms
• Toilets: if any are available and if it is accessible for wheelchair users

• Baby changing: whether or not it’s offered.

Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment at City of York Council, said: “We are committed to making York a welcoming, accessible city for all. We’ve listened to York people and businesses, expanding the scheme to include public toilet provision and baby changing facilities.

“York’s Medieval footprint can be challenging, and we are delighted but not surprised that many generous local businesses and sponsors are willing to offer free rest and toilet facilities to help make our City easier for everyone. We’d love to hear from any organisations who would like to join the scheme.”

Dr Ashley Fisher, Chair of York Disability Rights Forum said:

"In a city like York, being able to access things like chairs and accessible toilets is vital for disabled people as they go about their lives.

“We at the York Disability Rights Forum welcome the For Your Convenience scheme and encourage businesses to take part, creating a more inclusive and convenient environment for all residents and visitors."

The print costs for the new stickers are being met thanks to valued sponsorship by Healthmatic who maintain the city’s public toilets, and by The York BID who deliver projects and improvements that enhance the city centre.

Full details of partners, locations, accessibility and facilities are now hosted at www.livewellyork.co.uk/FYC

Any business or organisation in York which would like to join the scheme and support accessibility in York, can find out more at: www.livewellyork.co.uk/FYC or email: cycaccessteam@york.gov.uk.