Changing Places
Table of content
The problem
The solution
The Changing Places campaign
How you can assist
THE PROBLEM -
A LIFE WITHOUT TOILETS
How many people are affected
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In 2009, around 195,800 people with a disability used continence aids with a large
number of these requiring complete assistance to use the toilet (Incontinence in
Australia, AIHW) – this is significantly more than the population of Darwin
A large number of these are unable to use regular accessible public toilets and
require specialist equipment, such as a hoist and adult sized change table
This may include people with an ABI, cerebral palsy, MS, spina bifida, motor
neurone disease etc.
There are less than 30 public toilets with these facilities throughout Australia
Australia’s ageing population means the problem will only get worse…
Impacts on PWDs
• Major barrier to social inclusion
• Limitations on where one can go and how long
one can go for
• Change facilities can influence travel and
leisure options as well as providing barriers to
professional life
“Employment opportunities are almost nonexistent without toilets to meet my needs – there
is a no lifting policy for support staff so I’ve had
to leave meetings halfway through to avoid sitting
in soiled pads” – Liz Ellis, 29 years old, BA Social
Work
Impacts on carers
• Carers faced with choice to put their family
members/clients in undignified situations or not
venture far from home
• Risk of injury from lifting
• Professional carers unable to take their clients
out due to no lifting policy
• Planning day around toilets – affects the whole
family
• People in regional areas more affected
“Most people have seen the stories of how
many germs a handbag can carry from
being put on the floor of a toilet, so can you
then imagine lying on the floor of a public
toilet yourself? Michael is exposed to this
whenever he needs to be changed and we
are out for the day.”
- Debby Conlon, mother of Michael (17 years
old)
Tell your story
INSERT YOUR OWN STORY OR DELETE SLIDE
THE SOLUTION
CHANGING PLACES
• Changing Places toilets commenced in the UK in 2006.
• There are now over 700 Changing Place toilets located
in shopping centers, tourist attractions, airports and
other major public spaces in the UK
• Each Changing Places toilet provides:
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a height adjustable adult-sized changing bench
a tracking hoist system
safe and clean environment
enough space
• Usually accessible with an MLAK key
Key Features
•Additional grabrails
•A centrally placed toilet
•Room coverage hoist system
•Adjustable height change bench
•Washbasin & integrated shelf
•Waste bin
•Disposable change bench cover dispenser
•Automatic door
•Hand dryer
Introducing the Marveloo
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Mobile Changing Place facility
Two managed by Maroondah Council
Portable on flatbed truck
Available for hire for events/conferences around
Melbourne metro area
• AUD 1,700 plus GST for duration of event – cost
includes transportation and consumables (toilet
paper, wipes etc.)
• Users must bring their own sling
• http://www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/Marveloo.aspx
Adult change facilities and Changing places in
Victoria
Full listing downloadable here
THE CHANGING PLACES CAMPAIGN
CHANGING PLACES
TRANSFORMING LIVES
Changing Places campaign
Changing Places toilets should be provided in
addition to standard accessible toilets
National campaign for
fully accessible public
toilets in:
• shopping centres
• premium train stations
• aquatic facilities
• major sporting and
recreational complexes
• major cultural facilities
• airports
• hospitals
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Changing Places website
•A map with all the locations of Changing
Places toilets
• Changing Places information kit for
grassroots campaigners
• Videos for download
• Materials for campaigners
• Schematics and cost info for builders
• Current local campaign you can join
• Case studies and stories
www.changingplaces.org.au
Changing Places advocates
• Changing Place advocates are individuals and groups who support the Changing
Places projects by raising awareness of the need for fully accessible public toilets in
their community
• They operate in ways which suit their situation and skill set. Some activities include:
- Writing emails to shopping centres, major developers, politicians etc. to request a
Changing Place facility
- Forming groups of likeminded advocates in their local community and arranging
meetings with the local council
- Participating in media and awareness activities e.g. sharing their story with
newspaper, TV and radio interviews
- Promoting Changing Places through their personal and professional networks
- Starting online petitions to raise awareness and advocate for change
- Representing Changing Places at exhibitions,
presentations, student talks etc.
What you can do to help
• Follow the Changing Places Facebook and Twitter channels:
www.facebook.com/ChangingPlacesAustralia @ChangingPlaceAU
• Join the Changing Places mailing list
• Become a Changing Places advocate – email info@changingplaces.org.au for further
info
• Distribute Changing Places awareness materials to clients and professional contacts
• Use the Changing Places location map
• Donate to the Changing Places project – further info at www.changingplaces.org.au
• Inform us of any new major infrastructure developments in your community (shopping
centres, stadiums etc.)
Victorian government support
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September 2014, Victorian government
announced funding for six fixed Changing
Places and one mobile changing facility
Three placed at MCG, Melbourne Zoo and
Rod Laver Arena
Three to be decided in consultation with the
Victorian public
Online poll on Changing Places website
resulted in over 300 votes in one week
Most popular locations so far shopping
centres, parks and gardens and sporting
and entertainment facilities
Changing Places at Ringwood Lakes
Officially opened 1st October 2014
• Located close to playground which includes a
liberty swing
• Convenient location off highway for access by
travellers
• Accessible by Mlak key holders – extra keys
held at customer service centres
• Check out the video in The Age
Media coverage
Quote
“I have to lay him down on dirty
public toilet floors with his head
under the pan where someone else
has just peed.
I don’t like putting my handbag
down on some floors; why on earth
should I be expected to lie my
precious son on them”
Moving into the 21st Century
•1775 - The first patent for the flushing water closet was issued
to Alexander Cummings. 1852 first public toilet (flushing).
•Since then technology and human rights has enormous advances
•In the meantime in 2013 we have people with a disability and their
families still waiting for their first toilet in their local community
•Changing Places for a moment, imagine a community
for you without toilets