Member of Parliament for Eastleigh, Mims Davies, has asked Ministers what action the Government was taking to ensure that more changing places, particularly for children and young adults, are available across her constituency of Eastleigh, as well as more widely across the UK.
Commenting, Mims said:
“Further to being approached during local surgeries over this issue, I was delighted to have the opportunity to raise the importance of suitable changing places for young disabled teenagers and young people within our communities to Ministers in the Commons Chamber.”
“I also highlighted the excellent work of the consortium Changing Places, which brings together various organisations, including charities, and gives support to groups looking to install these vital facilities for disabled people within their communities. Changing Places also continues to campaign to have suitable changing places are available at large venues, such as stadiums and shopping centres, ensuring that young disabled people can continue to lead ordinary lives.”
Responding to the Eastleigh MP’s question, the Minister, Jake Berry said:
“The Government recognise that the provision of changing facilities is an important issue for people whose needs are not met by standard public lavatories. We have worked with Mencap and the Changing Places campaign to improve provision. In particular, we have provided funds for a searchable application to enable people to find their nearest Changing Places lavatories.”
“Owing to the campaigning of my hon. Friend and other organisations, since 2007 the number of Changing Places lavatories has increased from 140 to more than 1,000, but there are still not enough. I remind those in charge of all public buildings, and all buildings in which services are provided, that they have a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that changing places can be installed.”
There are thought to be over a 1/4 million people that need Changing Places toilets, including people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, as well as older people. Installing Changing Places toilets enables these people to get out and about and enjoy the day-to-day activities many of us take for granted.
Continuing Mims said:
“I welcome the Ministers response, and hope that those in charge of public buildings across my Eastleigh constituency, as well as across the UK take on board the Ministers advice. In many areas more needs to be done to ensure that disabled people across the country can go to places that we wouldn’t think twice about, the cinema, a music concert, the theatre or simply going shopping, and we must all play our part in making that vision a reality.”