Changing Places is larger than an accessible toilet, with a full sized adult changing bed and a ceiling track hoist. This enables disabled people with high level needs to access the toilet in a safe and dignified manner, without the risk of injury to the disabled person or the person assisting them.
It is estimated that over 250,000 people in the UK need access to a Changing Places facility. Without this facility, people can either be trapped at home or lifted and changed on a toilet floor, which is neither safe nor dignified.
Ruth Hopkins, General Manager and Head of Access & Development said:
“Level Playing Field is pleased to support Changing Places Awareness Day 2019. We recognise the importance of these facilities to disabled people attending sports events.
Everyone deserves the right to appropriate toilet facilities and Level Playing Field always recommends Changing Places facilities are installed at sports venues. Thankfully the number being built is increasing, supported by mobile facilities at some events, and we urge more clubs to provide them and ask disabled people and interested parties to participate in the Government Consultation”
Having a Changing Places facility can and does influence choice of disabled people and their family/companions.
There is currently a Government consultation on building regulations and what type of buildings Changing Places should be installed in, please click here to respond to the consultation.
For more information on Changing Places or where they can be found, please click here.