Toilet for the disabled - Changing Places - what is it and what does it look like?

Requirements for a toilet for people with disabilities

Photo by macrovector/freepik

Properly arranging the space of a toilet for people with disabilities is essential. The sink and toilet should be equipped with properly selected equipment, including:

- handles for people with disabilities - allow for holding on or lifting up,

Grab bars for disabled

- folding mirror for disabled - adjustable tilt angle allows the mirror to be set in the most convenient way for the user to use it,

Folding mirrors for disabled

- washbasin faucet for disabled - equipped with a lever, perfect for public toilets,

Disabled washbasin tap

- accessories for disabled: toilet paper holder mounted near the toilet provides quick and easy access to consumables.

Accessories for people with disabilities

However, the question arises whether such a space is well equipped enough?

Also check: How to properly mark the way to the toilet?

What is Changing Places?

In 2017, a campaign was launched in the UK for disabled children and adults. The Changing Places campaign aimed to highlight that toilets are not adapted to the needs of all people with disabilities.

The lack of solutions for older disabled children and adults who are unable to use the toilet has resulted in parents and caregivers having to perform hygiene tasks on cold and dirty floors.

The campaign helped to understand the problem faced by parents and caregivers of children and adults with complex disabilities when going to shopping centers, train stations, and other public places.

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What does a Changing Places toilet look like?

As a result of the campaign, a solution called Changing Places has been introduced in the UK since 2021. The toilet for people with disabilities, in addition to the basic equipment, is also equipped with:

- a changing table for people with disabilities,
- a privacy screen,
- a lift,
- an enlarged space for one or two caregivers.

Why is it worth creating Changing Places?

Creating "Changing Places" bathrooms helps provide comfortable conditions for every person using the toilet space, regardless of the type of disability. It is a solution that allows a person who is unable to use the toilet to change in hygienic conditions.

Author: Katarzyna Szumska