McDonald’s Norway takes a significant step towards improving accessibility as the restaurant at Strandtorget in Lillehammer reopens on Thursday, September 19. As the first in the country, the restaurant will offer a Changing Places toilet – a facility specially designed for individuals whose needs are not met by standard accessible toilets.
An Inclusive Stop Along the E6
A fully equipped «Changing Places» toilet includes an adjustable changing bench, a ceiling hoist for easy transfers, an accessible shower, and a spacious disabled toilet with sufficient space on both sides. Jonas Bergstrøm, Head of McDonald’s corporate-owned restaurants in Norway, is proud to open the country’s first restaurant with a «Changing Places» toilet, available to all.
«Inclusion is a core value at McDonald’s. During the rebuilding of the Lillehammer restaurant after the storm Hans, we were contacted by Håvard Ravn Ottesen from Changing Places. In addition to having a brother who uses a wheelchair and being well aware of the daily challenges faced by people with disabilities, the conversation with Ottesen made it clear that we had to act. With our location by the E6, we hope McDonald’s can become an inclusive stop for everyone,» says Jonas Bergstrøm, Head of McDonald’s corporate-owned restaurants in Norway.
A Restaurant for All
Francisco Rodriguez, Senior Director of Construction and Maintenance for McDonald’s Norway, explains that the meeting with Ottesen quickly led to a decision to adjust the restaurant plans to accommodate Norway’s first «Changing Places» toilet.
«In addition to Lillehammer, we are constructing such facilities in our new restaurants: Ottestad in Stange, Kobbervikdalen in Drammen, Orkanger, and Narvik. We are very proud to contribute to this important social initiative,» says Francisco Rodriguez.
A Necessary Initiative
Mikey Karlsen, a wheelchair user who relies on assistance, and Håvard Ravn Ottesen, Project Manager for Changing Places, emphasize how crucial McDonald’s initiative is for increasing accessibility along Norwegian roads.
«As a wheelchair user, I often face challenges while traveling. It is admirable that McDonald’s has listened to our needs and is now opening Norway’s first ‘Changing Places’ toilet. I hope this will inspire other businesses to follow suit and raise the standard of universal design in line with the requirements of Changing Places,» says Mikey Karlsen.
«Currently, there are no known fully equipped ‘Changing Places’ facilities publicly available in Norway. McDonald’s is taking an important step by opening such a toilet in Lillehammer,» says Håvard Ravn Ottesen, Project Manager for Changing Places in Norway.
Ottesen also adds that these facilities will be valuable for people with both visible and invisible disabilities: «McDonald’s is setting an example by ensuring everyone can participate in society. This is a long-awaited initiative, and we hope to see more actions like this in the future,» he says.
A Partnership for Increased Diversity
The company Etac is supplying the technical equipment for the «Changing Places» toilet opening in Lillehammer. Hilde Gravnås, CEO of Etac, sees the collaboration with McDonald’s as the start of an important journey towards increased accessibility and diversity in Norway.
«As the first restaurant chain in Norway, McDonald’s is investing in both a ceiling hoist and an adult-sized changing bench. They are making a conscious decision to offer accessibility beyond legal requirements and regulations. Accessible changing facilities provide security and predictability for many people. It does not have to be an expensive investment either. We are proud to be part of this project and look forward to what’s to come,» says Hilde Gravnås, CEO of Etac.
McDonald’s, together with Changing Places and Etac, welcomes you to the reopening of the restaurant at Strandtorget in Lillehammer on Thursday, September 19, at 10:00 AM.
For further comments and more information:
McDonald’s Norway:
Jonas Bergstrøm, Head of McDonald’s corporate-owned restaurants in Norway.
Mobile: +47 904 03 213
Email: jonas.bergstrom@no.mcd.com
Francisco Rodriguez, Senior Director of Construction and Maintenance for McDonald’s Norway.
Mobile: +47 96 04 25 37
Email: francisco.rodriguez@no.mcd.com
Web: www.mcdonalds.no
Håvard Ravn Ottesen, Project Manager Changing Places
Mobile: +47 901 39 430
Email: havard@changingplaces.no
Hilde Gravnås, CEO Etac
Mobile: +47 930 31 271
Email: hilde.gravnaas@etac.com
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