The importance of Changing Places
Over a quarter of a million severely disabled people in the UK, including those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, don’t have access to public toilet facilities that meet their needs. As a result, these people can’t participate in the day-to-day activities that so many of us take for granted.
Standard accessible (’disabled’) toilets don’t provide changing benches or hoists, and most are too small to accommodate more than one person.
Without Changing Places toilets, severely disabled persons are put at risk. Families or carers are forced to change them on toilet floors, in the back of their car, or a number of other places that are equally unhygienic and undignified. This puts the individual and the person administering the care at risk.
Don’t miss out on opportunities
Some amazing figures released by VisitEngland showed that 83% of disabled people made a conscious decision not to visit an unwelcoming or inaccessible organisation — particularly those with no suitable, clean toilet facilities.
Zoos and wildlife parks can capitalise on revenue by unlocking a new customer base. Changing places facilities provide opportunities for the disabled persons in our society to get out and about, and the revenue generated for organisations that invest in these facilities is significant.
You can also tell people via social media or PR about the great features and accessibility you offer to boost your ‘disability friendly’ reputation!!
Cash in on the purple pound
According to Government research the money that households with a disabled person spend is estimated to be worth £212 billion.
This figure is known as the ‘purple pound’ and relates to all the disabled people in the UK.
Whilst many of these people can use a standard accessible (’disabled’) toilet, there’s still a huge number of profoundly disabled people whose families have to carefully plan any day out. This is because so few organisations and attractions cater for their needs. Interestingly one of the main reasons that many disabled people don’t visit certain destinations is the lack of suitable toilet provisions. A Changing Places toilet offers much more than a regular accessible toilet and will open your business up to many more customers.
Planning a Changing Places toilet? – Contact us today
Any questions don’t hesitate to call us on 0800 298 6000 or drop us a line to [email protected]
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