Accessible toilets with changing facilities
I received a letter from the Co-operative Women's Guild who passed the
following resolution at the 2005 National Conference:
‘Urge all local authorities to enable severely disabled citizens to attend
to their needs sufficiently. A disabled toilet, whilst welcome, does not
always provide enough room for changing pads etc.’
I dare say others might have received the same letter – could we put
together a suggested standard reply? Thoughts please.
It is acknowledged that some disabled people have problems using the
existing accessible toilets. Some people need to be laid flat to be
changed within toilet accommodation. Without changing facilities the
person may have to be laid on the floor, which is unhygienic and could
involve heavy lifting for a carer.
At present there are no requirements (Building Regulations Part M) for
such a toilet and the good practice guidance (BS8300 -2005) mentions
changing tables but gives no details.
(See 12.4.3.2 Unisex accessible peninsular WC for assisted use)
There is a recommended design from PAMIS (Profound and Multiple Impairment
Service) which can include a changing bench and associated facilities. It
is based on the peninsula design and measures 2200 x 3000 mm. The Good
Loo Guide (CAE) recommends this for large scale developments such as
shopping centres and leisure centres.
Existing toilets
It would not be reasonable to enlarge most of the existing accessible
toilets, on financial grounds and providing only peninsula toilets would
preclude many disabled people from using the facilities because the
peninsula design is for assisted use only. Toilets with changing
facilities would have to be provided as a new facility.
Future toilets
A request for the inclusion of such a facility in addition to accessible
corner toilets could be put to the British Standards Committee for the
forthcoming major revision of BS8300.
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