The lack of space and suitable changing facilities in so-called ‘accessible’ toilets is one of the biggest problems stopping disabled people getting out and about with their families or carers.
Helpers are often reduced to changing people on toilet floors, which is undignified, unhygienic and involves heavy lifting – with the potential to cause serious damage to their backs.
Many people need two carers to help them, but current facilities rarely allow space for this – again increasing the likelihood of injury, as one carer has to do all the lifting.
The indignity, awkwardness and health and safety issues of using public toilets often result in disabled people and their carers opting to stay home, increasing feelings of isolation, loss of independence and a lack of stimulation.
The Changing Places Consortium has launched the Changing Places – Accessible Loos for All campaign to provide fully accessible toilets in all large public places, including city centres, shopping malls and arts venues.
According to the campaign, for toilets to be fully accessible, and not compromise the health or dignity of people using them, they should have the following:
- a height-adjustable changing bench
- a tracking or mobile hoist system
- more space for non-standard wheelchairs, and for helpers
- wide, tear-off paper roll to cover the bench
- a large waste bin for disposable pads
- a non-slip floor
‘Time for a change’ video
PAMIS (Profound and Multiple Impairment Service), a voluntary organisation who originated the Changing Places campaign, has produced a supporting video called ‘Time for a change’. It features four young people and their family and carers showing the difficulties they experience in standard accessible toilets.
Further information, including copies of the video, real-life stories, fact sheets, campaign posters and postcards are available from the Changing Places website.
To date, over 170 organisations and agencies across the UK are supporting the campaign.