MP and paralympic legend call for improved disabled toilets

11.44.32am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th Jun 2009

Local MP, John Leech, has joined a leading disability charity and the 11 time Paralympics gold medallist Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson to call for improvements to disabled toilet facilities in the UK.

Mencap's campaign is urging the government to invest in 'Changing Places' toilets, which have enough space for the person with a disability and their carers, and the right equipment which includes an adult sized height-adjustable changing bench and a hoist. Without them people who need support from one or two carers to use the toilet or to have their continence pad changed either have to stay at home or their family carers have to resort to changing them on dirty toilet floors.

There are over 230,000 people who need to use a Changing Places toilet in the UK and yet only 85 Changing toilets are available.

Mr. Leech said:

'Initially, I had no idea that there were so few Changing Places toilets available, and I'm glad to be helping to improve the situation.'

Mencap is seeking to make the provision of specialised Changing Places toilets in large, newly built public buildings such as shopping centres, airports and large railway stations a legal requirement.

Mr. Leech has also backed a parliamentary motions calling on the government to ensure that all newly built major public buildings provide a Changing Places toilet.

John Leech added:

'More specifically equipped toilets would transform the lives of so many disabled people, giving them and their families the freedom to travel where they please. I am putting my full support behind the campaign.'

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Notes to editors

Attached photo: John Leech with Tanni Grey-Thompson

Mencap's 'Changing Places' campaign forms part of learning Disability Week. For more information about learning Disability Week and the Changing Places campaign, please contact Lucy Hannagan, 020 7696 6017 / lucy.hannagan@mencap.org.uk

To find the location of your nearest Changing Places toilet go to www.changing-places.org/where