02/06/05

Changing Places - Accessible Loos for All is a national campaign with the aim of ensuring that 'toilets for the disabled' are made fully accessible. Over 70 national disability voluntary organisations are supporting the PAMIS 'Changing Places' campaign. PAMIS is also working with MPs, service providers and the British Standards Agency and ITAAL (Is there An Accessible Loo).

The lack of suitable changing facilities in toilets for people with disabilities is one of the most restrictive practical problems preventing families from going out.

• Families are reduced to changing their daughters or sons on toilet floors
• This is undignified, unhygienic and involves heavy lifting by the carers with the potential to cause serious damage to their backs.
• This results in families opting to stay at home which increases isolation and lack of stimulus

What is Required?

Changing Benches

PAMIS is campaigning for the installation of changing benches suitable for older children and adults with safety rails attached.

Space and Spacing

• space in toilet cubicle for the person with disabilities, wheelchair and one/two carers
• space for a changing bench
• centrally placed toilet to allow space for carers on either side
• other details and furniture as specified in British Standard No. 8300

Other essential equipment

• Screen/curtain-to allow privacy for the carer to use the toilet
• Wide, tear-off paper roll to cover bench - for hygiene
• Large waste bin for disposable pads
• Wipes

Hoists

In order to make toilets fully accessible for all users and meet the requirements of the manual handling policies, a tracking hoist should be installed or a mobile hoist with a selection of appropriate slings.

 PAMIS has produced a video as part of their campaign called Time for a change - the need for adult changing facilities in accessible loos.

The video features four young people and their family carers showing the difficulties they experience in 'standard disabled loos'. The video deals with:

• Health & safety issues for the person with disabilities and their carers
• Equipment required, design, layout and space
• Examples of good practice
• How you can help

Copies of the video with a fact sheet are available from PAMIS.

There has been a recent amendment of the Part M Approved Document 'Access to and use of buildings' which includes the recommendation of a changing bench in disabled toilets.