The Urgent Need for Accessible Toilets for People with Disabilities
People with disabilities in the UK are facing significant challenges due to a lack of accessible toilets, which has forced many to stay indoors and even miss crucial medical appointments. This issue is particularly pressing for individuals with complex needs who require specialized facilities to manage their daily lives.
Campaigners are urging authorities to install more Changing Places toilets, a type of accessible toilet designed specifically for people with severe disabilities. These facilities are essential for over 250,000 individuals and their families across the UK, who often have to travel long distances to find suitable places to use the restroom.
Parents describe how the world becomes smaller for their children when they cannot access necessary facilities. Despite progress—changing places toilets have increased from 30 in 2007 to around 2,600 today—there are still many areas without these vital amenities. In Northern Ireland, for instance, there is only 1.4 Changing Places toilet per 100,000 people.
What Are Changing Places Toilets?
Changing Places toilets differ from standard accessible toilets in several key ways. They are at least 12 square meters in size, allowing space for a wheelchair user and up to two carers. Each facility includes an adult-sized changing bench, a ceiling track hoist, and a centrally placed toilet with enough space on both sides for carers.
In England and Scotland, these toilets are now a legal requirement in new large public buildings. A map and route finder for these facilities can be accessed online, helping users locate them easily.
The Changing Places Toilet Consortium (CPTC) advocates for at least one Changing Places toilet in every town with over 15,000 residents and within each new public building. This goal aims to ensure that no one is left without access to essential facilities.
Personal Experiences and Challenges
Katrina O’Leary, whose 23-year-old daughter Sophie requires a hoist and changing table, highlights the importance of these toilets beyond just toileting. For families like hers, Changing Places toilets also serve as chill-out spaces for those with sensory sensitivities or for repositioning individuals in wheelchairs.
O’Leary, part of the Need2Change group, explains that the absence of these facilities can prevent families from visiting certain venues. She describes the embarrassment and stress of having to leave a doctor’s appointment early because there was nowhere to change a soiled pad.
She adds that attractions such as wildlife parks, gardens, and stately homes may be inaccessible without proper toilet facilities, leading to missed opportunities for children with disabled siblings.
The Impact on Daily Life
Karen Hoe, who runs the Changing Places toilet campaign in England, shares her family’s experience. Her son, who has complex healthcare needs, relies heavily on these facilities. Without them, her family faces the challenge of missing hospital appointments or dealing with accidents during travel.
Hoe emphasizes that the lack of accessible toilets affects not only the individual but also the entire family. For example, her son enjoys stock car racing and going to the cinema, but many venues do not have the necessary facilities. This often means restricting his fluid intake to avoid accidents, which can be uncomfortable and stressful.
Calls for More and Better Facilities
Despite the installation of 414 new Changing Places toilets last year—the highest number ever recorded—campaigners say it is still not enough. Many families have to travel hours to find suitable facilities, highlighting the urgent need for expansion.
Labour MP Daniel Francis, whose daughter has quadriplegic cerebral palsy, spoke about the importance of these toilets in a recent debate in the House of Commons. He shared how his family used to change his daughter in inconvenient places before discovering the Changing Places map. Now, they plan their trips around these facilities, which have made a significant difference in their lives.
Francis called for more efforts to expand Changing Places provision and suggested the development of a recognized entry system to prevent misuse by those who do not need the facilities.
Government Support and Future Plans
The UK government has invested £30 million to increase the availability of Changing Places toilets in England and Wales. Meanwhile, the Scottish government has pledged £10 million for facilities expected to be rolled out this year.
A spokesperson from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government emphasized the importance of accessible toilets for all members of the community. They noted that local authorities are best suited to determine the specific needs of their areas, whether through direct management or community schemes.
As the demand for accessible facilities continues to grow, it is clear that more must be done to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can participate fully in society. The installation of more Changing Places toilets is not just a matter of convenience—it is a step toward inclusivity, dignity, and equal access for all.