Sexual RevaLOOation - Are your Freshers Free2Pee?
If a group of people were told they could not use high street banking facilities or that they were unable to enter a pub or a bar there would be an outcry. But for years this has been happening to many disabled people.
Since October 1st 2004 venues such as pubs, restaurants, swimming pools and cinemas have, by law, to make reasonable physical adjustments to ensure disabled people are no longer excluded. This means disabled people should receive equal and fair access to goods and services.
As part of the NUS SWD Priority Campaign Sexual RevaLOOation we are asking that Students’ Unions in Freshers Week hold Free2Pee pub crawls- checking out the accessiblity of student venues. The campaign was very successful last year but this year we want to go one step further. We want people to consider the fact that there are no sanitary products or condoms in accessible toilets. Does that therefore mean those women who use accessibletoilets don’t have periods or that people who use accessible toilets don’t have sex or need to have protected sex? We will be campaigning for every Union to get condom and sanitary machines installed in their accessible toilets. If they are in the male and female toilets why not the accessible ones?
Free2Pee is all about inclusion and offers an excellent opportunity for students to get behind the notion of inclusion - not just in education but also in a wider social context. The NUS supports the notion of inclusive education, with appropriate networks of support. There is not much sense in enjoying access to education and being denied access to other parts of student life. After all, one could argue, it's the life experiences at institutions, which can teach us most - everybody needs access to the more enjoyable aspects of life - restaurants, film, theatre, clubs and the bar.
A power point presentation has been produced by NUS SWD Campaign for use at your union events. As well as a model motion,audit questionnaire,logo and ideas to campaign. We hope that you find it useful. If there is anything that you would like to know please do get in touch with Sian Davies the NUS SWD Officer. Email sian.davies@nus.org.uk or telephone 079674 79227.
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