If you missed details of The Campaign for Changing Places toilets on the Isle of Wight when we first highlighted it, Chris Roullier is here with a reminder. Ed
Our aim is to highlight the inclusion issues facing many disabled people. Although things have improved drastically over the last few years, there are still many people who are unable to take part in activities that many of us take for granted.
One thing that causes a problem is when a person is unable to use a standard accessible toilet. This can be due to many things.
A personal experience
Campaigner Lindsay Maggs writes, “In my own family I have four people who fit into this category and all for different reasons. One who suffered brain damage at the age of one, she is aged nine and quadriplegic; one who had a severe stroke; one who is 86 and has osteoporosis, and another who has severe arthritis and is very immobile.
“A ‘comfort break’ for any of these people on a day out usually involves having to be changed on the floor somewhere, or having to sit in soiled pads and clothes until we get home. This is distressing for everyone concerned as you can imagine, apart from the obvious safety issues in having to manually lift a dead-weight person between a floor and a chair, and the hygiene concerns of laying on a toilet floor. That is, if there is room to do it in the first instance! They all enjoy going out to places such as Robin Hill and Blackgang, and they have every right to do so.”
Changing Places toilets do make a world of difference
They are larger than standard disabled toilets, ideally have a centrally placed toilet leaving room for carers to be either side of the user, and also have a height adjustable bench and hoist.
Group member Adhask Lawrence says, “What I find unacceptable is that I am expected to change my young son, Luke (who has cerebral palsy) on a dirty toilet floor, which I refuse to do.
“The only option currently available to me, family members/carers and my son is curtail any outing and return home. This is the reality for many, who simply have no other choice.”
Please come and join our group on Facebook: Visit the Changing Places toilets group.
