What's the Problem?

Most people are unaware that standard accessible toilets are not usable by people with high needs.

Imagine a world where the only toilet in the world which met your needs was in your own home? How often would you go out if there wasn't anywhere to go at your place of work, shops or cinema?

Would your life shrink down to a small area within range of your home? Would you stop going out, even to visit friends?

This situation is a reality for a group of New Zealanders who are living as if stuck in a time-warp before the introduction of public toilets nearly two centuries ago. This is where Changing Places come in.

What are Changing Places
 

The irony with disability toilets is that you've actually got to be quite able to use one.

Everyone needs the loo when they're out and about, but not everyone can use the facilities that are currently available. Standard accessible toilets do not provide changing benches or hoists, and most are too small to accommodate more than one carer. Families are forced to risk their own health and safety by changing their loved one on a toilet floor or stay at home all together.

Yes we did say "on a toilet floor". This is unhygienic, undignified and unsafe.

People with profound and multiple disabilities that severely limit mobility cannot use standard accessible toilets.

 

Fully accessible toilets make a dramatic difference to the lives of people who need them.

It is now accepted that everyone has a right to live in the community, to move around within it and access all its facilities. Government policy rightly promotes the idea of community participation, active citizenship and inclusion for all. But for some people with disabilities, the lack of a fully accessible bathroom makes such participation within society impossible.

WHAT ARE CHANGING PLACES?
 

What's the Problem?

Accessible public toilets are everywhere and accessible to all, right?

LEARN MORE

What are Changing Places?

What do they have that an accessible toilet doesn't?

FIND OUT HERE

Who Needs Changing Places?

How many people are potential users?

POTENTIAL USERS

Where Should Changing Places Be?

What locations would be best suited and beneficial?

START LOOKING 

Learn More

Changing Places bathrooms are so much more than accessible toilets. They enable freedom to those living with profound disabilities to interact fully with our communities and facilities without worrying about a loo!

Imagine not being able to shop, socialise or travel without access to a toilet that met your needs?

Our Supporters

Thank you to all these groups for their continued collaboration and support. We would also like to
acknowledge the support and encouragement of Changing Places UK.

Barrier FreeConductive EducationDisability ConnectDisability ActionComplex Care GroupOffice for Disability IssuesPamisGrab Your Wheels 
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