Free guides to improve toilets for disabled people
Tuesday, August 2 2005
Isobel McLeish has had multiple sclerosis for 15 years and has been a wheelchair user for most of this time. Like the vast majority of wheelchair users, she has found that her ability to go out and socialise has been made more difficult by the lack of suitably designed toilets.
Isobel, who lives in Jedburgh, says that an amenity most of us take for granted can become an ordeal or an embarrassment for physically disabled people.
"A restaurant or hotel may claim to have a 'disabled toilet' but, because of poor design, it is exactly that - a toilet that is itself disabled," Isobel explained. She cites the case of one loo that claimed to be accessible for wheelchairs which had an eight-inch step at the entrance. Some 'disabled toilets' are so high that a wheelchair user has to be lifted on and then sit with his or her feet dangling in mid air. Then there are the supposedly 'disabled loos' thoughtfully situated down flights of stairs.
The problem, Isobel believes, is that there is widespread ignorance of the relevant Building Regulations among the business community and service providers: "Building Regulations for toilets for disabled people have changed over the years, so even when accessible toilets were put in with the best of intentions, many are now out of date. The new regulations reflect a greater awareness of the differing needs of disabled people."
To remedy this, Isobel has written two booklets, one for providers and one for users, who also need information. The booklets give clear and simple guidance on regulations regarding toilets for disabled people, including dimensions and lay-out, and positioning of handrails, wash-hand basin and loos themselves.
Providing information about something as basic as toilet facilities could, Isobel believes, help to create greater independence for disabled people, increase their choices and reduce social isolation.
The booklets have been funded by Scottish Borders Council Planning Department and are available, free of charge, through SBC's Social Work Services Department, which helped to set up the project.
For more information, please contact Patricia Price, Publications Co-ordinator, SBC Social Work Dept. Tel: 01835 825080.
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