Changing Places (campaign)

Changing Places is a British consortium and campaign which aims to improve accessible toilet facilities. It maintains a list of toilets which meet its requirements - as of March 2020, 1460 had been registered.[1] Locations include 100 Tesco supermarkets, and the Tower of London.[2][3] Changing Places are specialist facilities designed for those within the disabled community who cannot use standard accessible toilets. For example, standard accessible WC’s are designed for access by a standard wheelchair, but they are unlikely to provide adequate space for a powered wheelchair, or a wheelchair with additional head or leg support fittings. Standard accessible WC’s are also only designed for independent use by the individual and there is usually insufficient room to accommodate a carer /carers if the user requires assistance. Changing Places are specially designed and include specialist equipment to meet the needs of every user within the disabled community.[4]

History

The Changing Places consortium was established in 2005.[5]

In 2019, the Scottish Government launched a consultation on changes to planning rules which would see the introduction of requirements for Changing Places facilities.[6]

From 2021, it will be compulsory in England for many new buildings to include a Changing Places facility. It was also announced that Changing Places facilities would be installed at 37 motorway services which would mean that 87 of England's 118 services will have a Changing Places facility.[7]

Equipment Required To Meet Specification.

The consortium states that standard accessible toilets do not meet the requirements of around 250,000 disabled people in the United Kingdom and has created a list of requirements for a Changing Places facility.[7] There are 4 key pieces of equipment for a Changing Places Toilet Facility that are required initially. These are the bulkiest and often require special consideration and additional structural support ahead of installation. These include: XY (H) frame system ceiling hoist, height adjustable basin, height adjustable changing table and toilet. In addition to this equipment the following is required to meet specification: privacy screen, colostomy bag shelf, drop down support arms, grab rails, coat hooks, full length mirror, hand dryer, paper towel dispenser, general waste bin, large sanitary disposal bin, emergency alarm pull cord and reset button, shower, wide paper dispenser, hand soap dispenser & shower floor drain. [8]

A map of Changing Places facilities can be viewed on the Changing Places website, and reviews can be written via an app.[5]

References
  1. "The Government's response to the consultation on changing places toilets". Ministry of Housing. 9 September 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  2. "Tesco installs 100th Changing Places facility in Watford to help disabled shoppers". Tesco. 3 December 2020. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  3. "Tower of London is oldest UK building with a Changing Places facility". Access Association. 2021-11-21. Retrieved 2021-02-23.
  4. "Experts in Changing Places Toilet Facilities". Kingkraft. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
  5. Fi Anderson (2019-11-19). "Revolutionary New App for Changing Places Users!". Life Of An Ambitious Turtle. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  6. "Ekklesia | Scottish Government launches Changing Places consultation". www.ekklesia.co.uk. 2019-02-18. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  7. "Changing Places toilets for disabled people to be compulsory". BBC News. 2020-07-19. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  8. "Specifications & Product Floor Plan Layout for Changing Places Projects". Kingkraft. Retrieved 2021-04-01.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.