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.
Show your care for society
Some recent astonishing figures showed that many many disabled people made a conscious decision not to visit an unwelcoming or inaccessible organisation — particularly those with no suitable facilities.
Changing places facilities allow disabled persons in our society to get out and about as they wish.
Make your library as accessible and ‘disabled friendly’ as possible.Don’t forget that one of the main reasons that many disabled people and their families don’t visit destinations is the lack of suitable toilet provisions and accessibility.
Changing Places – Changing Lives
Changing Places offer many benefits for disabled people and their families. Having access to a Changing Places toilet is a great plus for people with disabilities, but what may not have been considered is the benefits for entire families.
The lack of facilities for disabled persons and their families means that they feel excluded from attractions and public places.
Having good access and a Changing Places in the local library encourages reading and learning for those with disabilities or special needs.
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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