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 | You and Yours - Transcript BBC Radio 4 |
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| TX: 10.04.09 - Disabled Toilets PRESENTER: PETER WHITE |
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| Downloaded from www.bbc.co.uk/radio4 THE ATTACHED TRANSCRIPT WAS TYPED FROM A RECORDING AND NOT COPIED FROM AN ORIGINAL SCRIPT. BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF MISHEARING AND THE DIFFICULTY IN SOME CASES OF IDENTIFYING INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS, THE BBC CANNOT VOUCH FOR ITS COMPLETE ACCURACY. WHITE Now mother and baby changing cubicles are commonplace these days but the same facilities for disabled children or adults are few and far between. Recently the British Standards Institute introduced a new standard for these so-called Changing Places. Liz Carr, who is a wheelchair user herself, has been mulling over why the current standard accessible toilets just aren't good enough. CARR Ah, the good old disabled loo or as we're meant to call them these days "accessible toilets". Whether you're disabled or not I'm sure you've been tempted inside by either necessity or nosiness at some time or other. Open the extra wide door with a wheelchair symbol on the front and you find yourself in a large, usually self contained, bathroom with miscellaneous grab rails and a red emergency cord that most of us end up pulling by mistake. For disabled people who use mobility aids and those needing more privacy these toilets are adequate, they're also rather popular with people who can't be bothered queuing for the regular toilets, for those with children in tow, for someone who wants a little privacy for their ablutions, for people laden with shopping bags, for cleaners needing a store for their mops and so on. But for some disabled people these standard accessible toilets are just not suitable. That's why, since 2006, there's been a campaign for what are called Changing Places toilets. These are toilets with enough space for disabled people and their helpers, plus a height adjustable changing bench and a hoist to help them transfer from wheelchair to toilet or bench. And the campaign has worked - a new British standard has recommended that these Changing Places toilets be installed in all new big public buildings. In the coming months we should begin to see more of these toilets and thus more disabled people who previously have been prevented from going out and enjoying life will be able to do so. Changing Places toilets are a great idea for disabled people and non-disabled people will no doubt take advantage too. A large toilet with a bench or a bed in it - mmm the perfect place for a power nap or perhaps a little afternoon delight. What about the fun to be had with the hoist - a swing like toy hanging down and taunting kids and adults alike to grab on and have a ride - wha hoo. What about using the bench as a dressing table, the hoist as somewhere to hang your clothes and voila you have the perfect changing place to titivate after work for a night out on the tiles. And a huge plus sized bathroom - huh - all the more room for the storage of boxes, cleaning products and bicycles. Personally I think the regulations should go even further. What about gold taps, velvet curtains and a Roman mosaic on the floor? As you can see I have simple tastes. WHITE Liz Carr, taking her pleasures where she can. Back to the You and Yours homepage The BBC is not responsible for external websites |
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