Success for campaigners on accessible toilets as the government considers changing building regulations

January 2011

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) says it will do further work to assess the feasibility of including Changing Places toilets in building regulations.

The DCLG launched a review of building regulations in summer 2010. The Changing Places Consortium   is calling for it to make Changing Places toilets compulsory in new large public buildings.   About 1,000 of its supporters have emailed DCLG about the issue.

Standard disabled toilets do not meet the needs of thousands of people, including 40,000 people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. Changing Places toilets have enough space and the right equipment, including a height-adjustable changing bench and a hoist.

Beverley Dawkins, co-chair of the Changing Places Consortium, said: "We are delighted that the government is seriously considering making this change to building regulations  – particularly given the current climate of deregulation. Changing Places toilets are vital to enable thousands of disabled people and their families to get out into the community."