Disabled toilets are a disgrace, says campaigner (From This Is Lancashire)

Disabled toilets are a disgrace, says campaigner

6:50am Friday 10th July 2009 in

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DISABLED people in Bury have to lie on dirty toilet floors to get changed, according to campaigners who are calling for better facilities.

Supporters of a campaign led by the Mencap charity say there are no adequate facilities for disabled people in the borough.

Now they are calling on Bury Council to provide the necessary equipment, such as a hoist and changing bench.

Carol Hart, of Newtown Street, Prestwich, is one of the campaign’s supporters.

She said: “I think it is a disgrace that Bury Council doesn’t provide public toilets that, we think, meet the needs of local people with severe disabilities and their carers.

“People with profound and multiple learning disabilities need what are know as Changing Places toilets. These have a hoist, a changing bench and plenty of space.

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

“Bury Council has yet to install a Changing Places toilet. People with these kinds of disabilities should have the same opportunities as everyone else.

“Their carers have enough to contend with —so let’s not make their lives harder by denying them the right to basic public facilities.”

Mrs Hart is asking people to sign the charity’s petition which is at mencap.org.uk/changelives.

A Bury Council spokesman admitted there were not changing facilities in its disabled public toilets but said it was looking into the issue.

He added: “We are in the process of re-opening and refurbishing the Murray Road toilets next to Bury Market.

“We might be able to incorporate some of this equipment into the disabled toilets at this location, depending on cost. We are currently examining this option.”