Changing Places, Changing Access

Changing Places, Changing Access: how one organisation is creating positive change for accessible toilets

Changing Places is an organisation that tackles the inequality of toileting for the over a 1/4 of million people who cannot access standard toilets. This includes people with learning disabili-ties, motor neurone disease, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. The work they do is so im-portant, to ensure that all disabled people can travel and access toilets when needed. DRM decided to catch up with Karen Hoe, Changing Places Development Officer, to find out more…

Changing Places is an amazing organisation, can you describe to us what Changing Places is and what you do?

The Changing PLACES Consortium is made up of a collaboration of organisations. Co-chairs are ourselves, Muscular Dystrophy UK and Pamis - Promoting a More Inclusive Society (our partners in Scotland), CAE- Centre for Accessible Environments, the Scottish Government, and Martin Jackaman, one of the original founders of the Campaign.

Established in 2005, the Consortium campaigns for Changing Places to be installed in all big public spaces so people can access their community and be able to go out and lead a normal life being able to access a toilet when needed.

Our campaigners are very dedicated and have influenced government over the years to stress the importance of having access to more Changing Places Toilets in the community. Their hard work and dedication finally resulted in the Government allocating £30m last year to install more changing Places toilets across the country. We, alongside our co–chairs, manage the campaign, administer the registrations, liaise with Architects, support the venues, campaigners and suppliers.

With over 1/4 million disabled people needing Changing Places toilets to enable them to get out and about, what has the impact been on disabled people’s lives?

The impact on disabled people’s lives, not being able to access these vital facilities, can be both life threatening and isolating. Many people have to restrict their fluid intake if they are going out and there are no Changing Places toilets available; this results in bladder and urine infections, dehydration, as well as the embarrassing scenario of accidents or having to sit in dirty and wet soiled pads for hours. Some of our users have resorted to surgery to manage issues caused by this to avoid further health issues or not being able to find a suitable toilet. Many people often have to stay at home, becoming isolated as

“THE IMPACT ON DISABLED PEOPLE’S LIVES, NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS THESE VITAL FACILITIES, CAN BE BOTH LIFE THREATENING AND ISOLATING.”

there aren’t any suitable toilets near them, or on route on a day out or at the destination they are going to.

Where are some of the places disabled people can access a Changing Places toilet?

There are currently 1567 Changing places toilets across the whole country. To put that in perspective, Wembley stadium has 1000 normal toilets alone.

You can find our facilities across a range of venues, including, leisure centres, motorway services station, hospitals, country parks, libraries, museums, stadiums, tourist attractions, supermarkets, and educational establishments.

What are the differences between a Changing Places Toilet, an accessible toilet, and a standard toilet?

A Changing places Toilet has specific required equipment within it to enable and assist the users.

They are ideally 12sqm in size and include:

An adult size changing bed Ceiling hoist and tracking Height adjustable sink Peninsular toilet Shower Grab rails to assist Privacy screen Non slip floor Tear off paper roll to cover the changing bench Large bin for disposable pads Colostomy shelf

“THE CONSORTIUM CAMPAIGNS FOR CHANGING PLACES TO BE INSTALLED IN ALL BIG PUBLIC SPACES”

Author: Karen Hoe - Changing Places

Development Of-ficer

Website: changing-places.org Twitter: @CP_Consortium Facebook: @ChangingPlacesUK

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