REDBRIDGE: Lack of disabled toilets a "disgrace" (From This Is Local London)

REDBRIDGE: Lack of disabled toilets a "disgrace"

1:57pm Friday 3rd July 2009 in

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REVELATIONS that there is not a single disabled-friendly Changing Places toilet in the entire borough has led carers to accuse Redbridge Council of neglecting their needs.

Washrooms with a hoist, changing bench and plenty of space are the necessary to help severely disabled people relieve themselves in dignity.

However, many friends and family members claim loved ones with limited mobility must make do with filthy floors of traditional conveniences and have demanded better access to proper facilities.

Helen Coughlan, of Roding Lane North in Woodford Green, has cared for her 42-year-old brother Matthew most of her life.

He is deaf and almost totally blind with deformed feet and a life-threatening skin condition and Aspergers syndrome leaving him with the mental age of eight or nine.

Mrs Coughlan said: “Having a Changing Places toilet would be very beneficial as we have to get Matthew out of his wheelchair and make him walk on his knees.

“Most public toilets are absolutely disgusting and we normally have to go to a Harvester or somewhere where there are disabled facilities.

“Normally I've got to watch his fluid intake and what he drinks when we are out. Shops and restaurants have to have clean bathrooms so I don't know why the council doesn't also.”

The Changing Places Consortium - including Mencap and the Centre for Acessible Environment - campaigns for Changing Places toilets to be installed in big public places.

Anna Smith, of Hermon Hill, South Woodford, said it was a “disgrace” that Redbridge does not provide a single Changing Places toilet.

She said: “People with profound and multiple learning disabilities should have the same opportunities as everyone else.

“Without them carers are often forced to change their disabled loved-ones on dirty toilet floors.”

“And carers have enough to contend with - let's not make their lives harder by denying them the right to basic public facilities.”

A Redbridge Council spokeswoman said: “We haven’t had any requests to introduce Changing Places toilets in Council managed public toilets.

“Our public toilets are kept to a high standard and the majority of them have disabled facilities along with baby changing facilities.”