Disabled children are less likely to participate in a sporting activity, according to latest research, but provision of appropriate facilities could help address the issue.
Total Hygiene, sponsor of the Changing Places campaign for fully accessible toilets in public places, maintains inclusion of a Changing Places toilet in a leisure or sports centre would play an important role in optimising accessibility to all. It is also ‘good practice’ under BS8300:2009.
And the assertion is backed up in practice- over 20% of the venues which already have Changing Places toilets are leisure and sports centres and swimming pools.
Robin Tuffley, marketing manager at Total Hygiene, observes, “Latest research by the Department for Culture Media & Sport states ‘children with a limiting long term illness/disability were significantly less likely to have done sport in the past few weeks than those who did not have one*’.
“We are living in a society with growing understanding of the health benefits of exercise; surely the opportunity to participate in any physical exercise should be equally accessible to all? The speed with which Changing Places toilets have grown throughout the UK shows there is not just a need, but a demand, for fully accessible toilets in public places, including sports and leisure centres. ”
Jonathan Francis, manager at the George Carnall Leisure, adds, “Our Centre is an IFI (Inclusive Fitness Initiative) centre attracting many customers with complex needs, and operates on a philosophy of ‘more people more active more often’. We felt a Changing Places toilet would offer a first class service to these users and enhance the overall experience of the centre.”
A Changing Places toilet has three main features- a height adjustable adult sized changing bench, hoist and adequate space in the changing area for the disabled person and at least one carer. Changing Places toilets are specifically designed for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) and other people with severe disabilities who need the support of up to two carers. In the last four months alone, over 50 Changing Places toilets have been opened at venues across the country, bringing the total to over 325.
