“A momentous day for the disabled community” says local campaigner as Minister proposes amendment to Building Regulations to make provision for changing places toilets
The campaign to have special Changing Places toilet facilities for seriously disabled people installed in public buildings in Drogheda and County Louth took a big step forward today.
Minister of State for Local Government and Planning Peter Burke, TD wants to hear the views of people across Louth, and presumably the whole country, on a proposed amendment to the Building Regulations to make provision for a changing places toilet in certain buildings.
Togher woman Annette Monaghan, and her 23 year-old son Jamie who is severely disabled, have been campaigning on this issue for years and today she told Drogheda Life that she was thrilled with the news.
“This is great news for Drogheda and the campaign from Changing Places for Drogheda and beyond over the last number of years” she said.
“The dedication of Changing Places Ireland together with the Working Group established in December 2020 to advocate and change building regulations has in no doubt spread awareness for disabled people with complex hygiene needs.
“The Government’s department has positively addressed the problems disabled people face when accessing specialised bathroom facilities and cemented their commitment to a more inclusive society.
“My son Jamie, like thousands of other disabled people, can now enjoy the freedom to participate in daily activities and go beyond the comfort of his home and experience life like everyone else. This is indeed a momentous day for the disabled community”.
Drogheda Councillor Paddy McQuillan has backed Annette and the Changing Places cause since 2019 but when he asked that such a facility be included in plans for the multi million restoration of the Council’s Fair Street Offices it was rejected.
He too had a warm welcome for the announcement. “This is great news for everyone caring for people with disabilities” he said. “I work in the disability sector and a Changing Places facility ensures that those with specific needs are not excluded from participating in social, cultural and economic activities.
“Individuals that require the use of Changing Places facilities should have access to them. This is a modern society and we should be providing for the most vulnerable members of our communities.
“I have brought requests for Changing Places facilities to the council on numerous occasions only to have my requests denied. On foot of this statement from the minister I have submitted an emergency motion requesting that Louth County Council apply for funding for this facility for Drogheda.”
Minister of State Burke said that as many as 80 extra changing areas and places with toilets could be provided nationwide each year if the regulations are changed.
A changing places toilet offers larger supported facilities that address the needs of people for whom current accessible sanitary accommodation is inadequate. These facilities enable people with complex care needs to take part in everyday activities such as travel, shopping, family days out or attending a sporting event.
This public consultation is the culmination of the work of a Working Group established by the Department in December 2020 to examine the provision of a changing areas or a changing places toilet in certain buildings.
This working group has recommended that changing places toilets be provided in certain circumstances in buildings such as hospitals, places of assembly, sports stadiums, roadside service facilities, schools and colleges, shopping centres and hotels. The Department would like to hear the views of all members of the public and from all construction and business sectors, and in particular:
- People with disabilities who use changing places toilets
- People who support others to use changing places toilets
- Builders
- Building designers
- Building owners
Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Anne Rabbitte pointed out that the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) include greater participation in everyday community life and that requires accessible public spaces.
“Greater access to facilities like changing places allows people with disabilities to access public places such as hospitals, colleges etc but also to access recreational facilities, which are as vitally important.”
Submissions should be emailed to buildingstandards@housing.gov.ie by 5pm on Thursday, May 12th, 2022. To assist in this process, the documents are available here.
