World Toilet Day: A simple checklist for your accessible loo!

World Toilet Day on November 19th is a moment for global reflection, but for venues like yours, it’s a perfect opportunity for local action. Providing a safe, clean, and truly accessible toilet is not just a regulatory necessity—it's a fundamental part of providing excellent hospitality.

Here is a simple, no-cost checklist to help you ensure your accessible toilet is ready for every visitor, followed by a look at our crucial Safer Toilets campaign.

✅ The World Toilet Day Venue Checklist (Zero Spend!)

If you are involved with a venue, here is a simple checklist that will help you improve access - without spending a penny!

1. 📍 Where's The Loo?

Make sure people know you have an accessible toilet! Visibility and information are the first steps to accessibility.

• Online: Put photos information about your accessible toilet's location, features, and dimensions on your website and social media.

• Signage: Ensure there is clear, high-contrast, and well-placed signage directing disabled visitors once they arrive.

• Staff Knowledge: Train all staff on the location and key features (e.g., alarm system, transfer space) so they can direct people quickly and confidently.

• Listing: For maximum impact, you can list on EuansGuide.com for free and share your disabled access information with tens of thousands of people every month.

2. 🧹 Cut The Clutter

Accessible toilets should have plenty of space, please keep it clear so disabled people can move around easily and without stress.

• Transfer Space: This space, usually beside the toilet, is essential. Do not put bins, cleaning buckets, or mop heads here.

• Storage: Find alternative storage for bulky items. Highchairs, boxes, and excess stock should never be kept in the accessible toilet.

• Clear Floor: Ensure the floor is clear of any tripping hazards.

3. 🚨 Test And Tell

The emergency assistance alarm is a lifeline. When was the last time you checked it?

• Test: Regularly test the alarm in your disabled loo. Does it work? Is the sound loud enough to be heard?

• Protocol: If someone does raise the alarm, do your staff know exactly what to do? Establish a clear, time-sensitive protocol.

• The Cord: Check the alarm's red pull cord. It must hang freely to the floor. Far too often, these cords are tied up, cut short, or wrapped around other equipment, rendering them useless in an emergency.

The Safer Accessible Toilets Campaign

This World Toilet Day, we are focusing on one of the most common and dangerous accessibility failings: the obstructed emergency cord.

Accessible toilets have an emergency assistance alarm system, often with a red pull cord that is easily identifiable and reachable from the toilet and the floor close to the toilet. When cords are tied up or cut short, people in distress are unable to raise the alarm, leaving them trapped with no way to ask for help.

Set the Cords Free!

Our Red Cord Cards are designed to clip onto the alarm cord with a clear message: "This red emergency cord must hang freely to the floor. If it does not, it may prevent a disabled person from asking for help.” They are an easy, visual reminder for staff and cleaners that the cord must hang freely to the floor.

We’d love to send you a bundle of cards, we’re a small charity, so we do ask venues and businesses to make a contribution to cover costs. Your support helps us continue to provide Red Cord Cards to our community of disabled people, friends, families and carers across the UK.

Venues can order their Red Cord Cards here

Let’s set the cords free this World Toilet Day and ensure every accessible toilet is genuinely safe!