Astor Bannerman are extremely proud to have installed four Changing Places Toilets at Expo 2020.
The globally important event was postponed last year due to Covid, and it finally opened its doors in Dubai this Autumn, showcasing world-changing innovations from around the world.
The organisers have made accessibility and inclusivity a priority, offering infrastructure, services and an online platform focussed on enabling participation by as many people as possible, both in-person and remotely.
A Changing Places Toilet at Expo 2020
Locations of Changing Places Toilets at Expo 2020
ACCESSIBILITY AT EXPO 2020
People with differing accessibility needs were considered from the beginning of the event planning process. ‘People of determination’ was used as an umbrella term to account for the variety of different people with differing needs, including individuals with invisible disabilities, like those with sensory processing difficulties, or those who are hard of hearing or deaf.
Dina Storey, Director of Sustainability Operations at Expo 2020 Dubai has shared their approach to making the event accessible:
“Inclusion is one of the UAE’s most important values, and it was crucial to ensure that the team behind Expo 2020 was diverse, accepting and dedicated to the task of delivering an exceptional event to the world. People of determination played an important role in the lead-up and delivery of the global event.”
“As a result, [the] Expo has built a thorough understanding of the journey of a person of determination by regularly engaging with the community and relevant stakeholders. This involved a series of accessibility forums that led Expo to introduce a number of provisions for people of determination”
A drawing of an Astor Bannerman Changing Places Toilet at Expo 2020
Physical accessibility provisions on-site include relief areas for service dogs, step-free access to every pavilion within the Expo and Hearing Induction Loops or Hearing Enhancement Systems to ensure that individuals who use hearing aids are able to enjoy audio within pavilions.
Plus there are braille and tactile map boards, ear defenders and sunglasses, quiet rooms in visitor centres and sensory rating cards for every pavilion that display the sensory impact of the pavilion based on the six senses for neurodivergent individuals or those with sensory processing difficulties.
Free tickets are also available for ‘people of determination’.
CHANGING PLACES TOILETS AT EXPO 2020
The export project team at Astor Bannerman were introduced to the organisers of Expo 2020 by our partners at Aveso with the aim of supporting them to provide and install accessible bathrooms for visitors. As a result of those discussions we were asked to supply equipment for four Changing Places Toilets across the Dubai site.
The Astor Bannerman equipment included:
– ABW-CP Height Adjustable Washbasin
– Peninsular Toilet
– Privacy Screen
– Accessories including support rails
Some of the accessories including support arms, grab rails and hooks were supplied by our strategic partners at Hewi, who supply their brilliantly designed, functional hardware for some of our bathrooms.
Managing Director at Astor Bannerman, Mark Colebrook, talked about the Expo 2020 project:
“The export project team at Astor Bannerman are exceptionally proud to have worked with Aveso, the organisers of Expo 2020 and Spacemaker in the design, manufacture and install of the four Changing Places Toilets. It is great news for all involved and gives exposure of the necessity of Changing Places facilities worldwide.”
ABOUT ASTOR BANNERMAN
Astor Bannerman offer the full range of products specified by Changing Places regulations, including fixed and mobile changing tables, hoists, height adjustable washbasins, toilets and accessories. Their industry leading R&D department, are proud to have developed the Astor Invincible, the first changing table designed specifically for Changing Places toilets.
ABOUT AVESO
The team at Aveso are passionate about Changing Places toilets. They have supported and sponsored the official Changing Places campaign since 2013, and provide free, expert advice on all aspects of the Changing Places planning and design process.