It can be difficult for non-disabled people to appreciate the challenges faced by people with disabilities, their assistants, families and friends when it comes to enjoying days out together in public facilities.
Over 250,000 people in the UK require specialist toilet and changing facilities. Without these facilities that cater to their needs, many people with disabilities and their assistants/families face unhygienic, undignified and unsafe conditions. Understandably, these people often choose to limit the time they spend out of the house, which drastically impacts their quality of life. For this reason, it has become compulsory to install Changing Places toilets in all new public buildings from 2021.
“We try to plan our days around being home for meal times because Lowri needs to go to the toilet, meaning we can only spend a few hours away from home. We put a large mat on the floor and just muddle through – we have countless experiences at eye level of disgusting toilet floors.” - Lowri's mum, Bethan on the subject of accessible toilet facilities.
What is a Changing Places toilet?
Changing Places toilets are designed for people who need additional space, equipment and a carer which is not possible within the space of a standard accessible toilet. As pictured above in the BBC news article, a Changing Places facility must include:
• height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench
• ceiling track hoist system
• adequate space for the disabled person and up to two assistants
• peninsular toilet with space both sides for assistants
• privacy screen
• wide paper roll
• large waste disposal bin
• washbasin, preferably height adjustable
• Back rest on toilet seat
“I was able to take Elin and Lowri shopping for school clothes in the morning, have lunch and then go straight on to the theatre, just like anyone else would have done.” - Lowri's mum, Bethan on Changing Places toilet in her local area.
Does my building need a Changing Places toilet?
According to the government website, places of assembly, recreation and entertainment with a capacity for 350 or more people will be required to install the facilities if they are newly built or have a major refurbishment.
They include art galleries, cinemas, concert halls, conference centres, further education colleges, universities, hotels that include leisure facilities, libraries, motorway services, museums, places of worship, and theatres.
Shopping centres or retail parks with gross floor areas of 30,000m2 or more, retail premises of 2,500m2 or more, sport or leisure buildings over 5,000m2, and stadia, theme parks, zoos, or exhibition centres with a capacity above 2,000 people will also be included in the rules.
Testimonials credit: www.changing-places.org