Changing Places, Changing Lives: Why Changing Places Toilets Are Vital - And Still Too Rare

For most people, using a toilet on a day out is so routine it barely registers. But for thousands of disabled people and their families, the question of where - or whether - they’ll be able to go is often the deciding factor in whether they can leave the house at all.

Changing Places toilets aren’t a luxury. They are, for many, the only safe and dignified option. Yet Euan’s Guide’s 2024 Access Survey reveals that these life-changing facilities remain too few, too hidden, and too often out of order.

Behind every percentage is a family rerouting a trip, a person weighing up risk, or a day out cut short. Sometimes it’s more than an inconvenience. It’s fear, shame, or medical risk.

In this blog post, we heard from our Access Survey respondents about how they feel and their experiences.

When toilets determine your freedom 

Changing Places toilets are specifically designed to support people with complex needs. They include a height-adjustable changing bench, ceiling hoist, privacy screen, and enough space for a user and up to two assistants. But while awareness is growing, availability isn’t keeping pace.

Our most recent Access Survey revealed that just 22% of Changing Places users find them easy to locate - and a whopping 79% said they don’t.

And more than half - 52% - have avoided going somewhere altogether because they knew it didn’t have a Changing Places toilet.

“Usually there’s no option for those who need full hands-on help, and it saddens me that it’s so difficult for people who need Changing Places toilets that there are so few around.”

“I have a relative with a 39 year old daughter who simply cannot go around, as she cannot change her daughter anywhere she goes.”

Life-changing, not optional

For the 16% of survey respondents who use Changing Places toilets - or care for someone who does - these spaces are the difference between being able to go out or staying home. Between dignity and distress. Between inclusion and isolation.

“I have only seen 1 changing place in over 16 years of traveling with my disabled son. It’s degrading and unsanitary when he needs to be changed in an accessible toilet.”

“Never did manage to find the one at Birmingham airport and had to change my son on the floor in the ladies. Nowadays I am not able to lift him so he would just have to stay soiled.”

That reality is stark. Nobody should be forced to weigh up whether they’ll have to lie on a toilet floor - or change their child on one - simply to enjoy the same spaces as everyone else.

“Life changing! In the old days we often had to carry out procedures on toilet floors! Can’t believe some people still have to do this 30yrs on.”

It’s not just about hoists - it’s about inclusion 

Some users don’t require hoists or benches, but use Changing Places facilities for the space, the calm, or simply because standard accessible toilets don’t meet their needs.

“They’re brilliant. I used to feel guilty about using them… but having the quiet big space with a screen is a huge benefit to two disabled women.”

“I feel slightly like a fraud as I don't need to use most of the equipment in a Changing Places toilet but due to the lack of space in standard accessible toilets I can not use them.  I have no choice but to use a Changing Places toilet.”

The importance of information, maintenance, and expectations

Others noted how badly maintained some Changing Places toilets are, with broken hoists, missing supplies, or dirty, unsafe surfaces, making it impossible to use them even when they’re available.

“Sometimes they are so dirty there is no where to self catheterise and sometimes the radar key doesn't work or its not suitable for me to use.”

“There is one in Center Parcs that is NEVER policed and allowed to constantly be abused so that the people who need it never get the opportunity."

Even when toilets are available, they’re not always accessible. 52% said they struggle to get in. 54% said the equipment inside isn’t ready or working. And multiple respondents described being locked out, turned away, or forced to ask staff to “unlock” facilities that should be open and easy to use.

“Some of these venues don’t seem to realise how essential it is to keep these hoists maintained and charged.  When we come across this problem, we are stuck, and we would never visit this venue again. Changing Places toilets are few and far between, so when they are double locked, not charged or out of service, it just ruins our day and we have to leave.”

“Impossible to access and the staff make such a palava that it's embarrassing to ask to use them. They often say you can't use them because you didn't use an app to book them first.” 

Part of the problem is visibility. 77% of respondents said they’ve avoided going somewhere because they couldn’t find information about the accessible toilet, and 15% specifically said they avoided a venue because they couldn’t find out if it had a Changing Places toilet.

That means people are not just excluded in practice - they’re excluded by the absence of information. No signage, no listings, no details online.

“I would use them if I could find one when I need one. When I need one I need it immediately and can’t wander around covered in shit.”

That’s why it’s so important to share the information about the Changing Places toilets you use so that people know what to expect when they visit. With tens of thousands of disabled people using EuansGuide.com, leaving a disabled access review on our website will have a positive impact on other people looking for Changing Places toilets and great places to go.

Changing Places, changing lives

Many people called Changing Places toilets “life changing”. Some said they literally cannot live a full life without them. And for every person who can now go out with more confidence, there are still many who can’t because the facilities aren’t there, or because they’re not open, not maintained, or not known about.

“Changing Places toilets are a game changer for us. We simply cannot go out for a day unless one is available.”

“Cannot live a full life without them.”

“It’s awful because if every human couldn't go to a toilet all day there would be mayhem, people would go mad. It's a basic human need.”

How can you help?

If you manage a venue, run a service, work in tourism or hospitality, or fund public spaces - ask yourself: can everyone who walks through your doors access a toilet safely and with dignity?

• Add a Changing Places toilet where possible.
• Promote it clearly online and on site, either on your website or on EuansGuide.com.
• Keep it unlocked, clean, and stocked.
• Train your staff to support access, not restrict it.
• Listen to the people who rely on them.
  
  

You can find out more and explore the full results of the 2024 Access Survey at EuansGuide.com/AccessSurvey

Tags: Changing Places, changing places awareness day, accessible toilets, blog, disabled acccess