Changing Places Toilets: A Step Above Standard Accessible Restrooms

At first glance, defining an accessible toilet is pretty simple. Basically you have to be able to get in the door and use the facilities. In the US, the Americans with Disabilities ACT (ADA) spells out the specifics of restroom access, from toilet height and stall dimensions to grab bar placement and even sink specifics. But what if you need to change an adult child who wears a diaper? How do you accomplish that in a wheelchair in a standard accessible restroom?

Well to be honest, some people have to get creative, and it may involve doing undignified things like laying on the restroom floor or trying to accomplish the task in the back seat of a car. Well Changing Places (www.changing-places.org) is a UK organization that set out to remedy that problem, and make public restrooms really accessible to everyone.

What is Changing Places?

The Changing Places Consortium was established in 2005, and their mission is to encourage public and private spaces to install toilets that are truly usable to everyone with a disability. The organization also offers advice to places that want to install these toilets – sometimes called universal changing stations — and offers referrals to funding sources.

Ideally, Changing Places toilets provide changing tables and hoists so that caregivers can safely change their loved ones. They also have adequate floor space for one or two caregivers, have an accessible toilet and sink, and include adequate directional signage.

There’s no charge to use these public facilities, and the Changing Places website has a searchable directory of these universally accessible toilets throughout the UK. Each listing has a photo of the facility, and includes details about the access features. The complete address and hours are also listed, and details about the availability of nearby accessible parking is included in each listing. Additionally, there’s a helpful Changing Places Toilet Finder app that’s free to download. And the good news is, the database of Changing Places toilets has now grown to over 2,600 locates throughout the UK.

Other Accessible Toilet Resources

It should also be noted that some of the Changing Places Toilets are locked to prevent vandalism, and you need a RADAR toilet key to gain access to them. More information about the RADAR scheme and the toilet keys can be found at emerginghorizons.com/do-i-need-a-radar-toilet-key-for-my-london-trip. And although some venues do have a key on hand, it’s always prudent to carry a RADAR key just in case.

The Changing Places concept has also caught on in other countries, including the United States. To that end the Changing Spaces Campaign was created to encourage public spaces to install universally accessible toilet facilities. And although it pales in comparison to the UK effort, many airports, amusement parks and other community venues now have these facilities installed. You can search their US database for a universal changing facility near you on the Changing Spaces website at www.changingspacescampaign.com.

In the end, thanks to Changing Places and Changing Spaces, more universally accessible toilet facilities are now available throughout the world. So don’t forget to check the websites and download the app before your next trip.