Changing Places (campaign) explained

Changing Places is a British consortium and campaign which aims to improve accessible toilet facilities. It maintains a list of toilets which meet its requirements - as of March 2020, 1460 had been registered.[1] Locations include 100 Tesco supermarkets, and the Tower of London.[2] [3]

History

The Changing Places consortium was established in 2005.[4]

In 2019, the Scottish Government launched a consultation on changes to planning rules which would see the introduction of requirements for Changing Places facilities.[5]

From 2021, it will be compulsory in England for many new buildings to include a Changing Places facility. It was also announced that Changing Places facilities would be installed at 37 motorway services which would mean that 87 of England's 118 services will have a Changing Places facility.[6]

Work

The consortium states that standard accessible toilets do not meet the requirements of around 250,000 disabled people in the United Kingdom and has created a list of requirements for a Changing Places facility. These include a minimum area for the facility, a hoist, changing bench, and curtain.

A map of Changing Places facilities can be viewed on the Changing Places website, and reviews can be written via an app.

References

  1. Web site: 9 September 2020. The Government's response to the consultation on changing places toilets. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190512133900/https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/changing-places-toilets . 2019-05-12 . 16 November 2020. Ministry of Housing.
  2. Web site: 3 December 2020. Tesco installs 100th Changing Places facility in Watford to help disabled shoppers.. live. 23 February 2021. Tesco. https://web.archive.org/web/20210124000430/https://www.tescoplc.com/news/2020/tesco-installs-100th-changing-places-facility/ . 2021-01-24 .
  3. Web site: Tower of London is oldest UK building with a Changing Places facility. 2021-11-21. 2021-02-23. Access Association. en-GB.
  4. Web site: Fi Anderson. 2019-11-19. Revolutionary New App for Changing Places Users!. 2020-11-16. Life Of An Ambitious Turtle. en-GB.
  5. Web site: 2019-02-18. Ekklesia Scottish Government launches Changing Places consultation. 2020-11-16. www.ekklesia.co.uk. en.
  6. News: 2020-07-19. Changing Places toilets for disabled people to be compulsory. en-GB. BBC News. 2020-11-16.

External links