A Changing Places toilet has opened at Imperial War Museum (IWM) Duxford providing extra space and specialist equipment for visitors with profound or multiple disabilities.
It is only the third Changing Places toilet in South Cambridgeshire, providing additional disabled-friendly features like an adult size changing bed and a hoist for safe lifting.
IWM Duxford, Europe’s largest air museum, was inspired to set up the specialist toilet space following a visit by Peterborough-based charity, Little Miracles, who support families with children with additional needs and life limiting health conditions.
The museum approached South Cambridgeshire District Council who secured £120,000 of funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, as part of £30 million earmarked by the government to increase the number of Changing Places toilets across the country.
“At IWM we are committed to removing and reducing barriers so that our branches are open and accessible for everyone,” said Laura Crean, Assistant Director, Strategy and Governance.
“This new facility at IWM Duxford will ensure that we have high quality, clean and safe facilities which will substantially improve the visitor experience and move IWM Duxford one step forward to reducing those barriers. We’re very grateful to South Cambridgeshire District Council for their support with this project and to Little Miracles for their invaluable feedback.”
Established in 2005, the Changing Places campaign wants Changing Places toilets to be installed in all big public spaces so that people can access their community and use a toilet facility with dignity and hygienically. Changing Places toilets are provided in addition to, and not in place of, standard disabled toilets.
Muscular Dystrophy UK is co-chair of the Changing Places Consortium which includes Pamis, and Centre for Accessible Environments. They want Changing Places toilets to become a mandatory requirement under Building regulations for all large public places, like shopping centres, major leisure venues. hospitals, transport hubs, motorway services and airports.
To find your nearest Changing Places go to https://www.changing-places.org/ and for further information about accessibility at IWM Duxford go to https://www.iwm.org.uk/visits/iwm-duxford
Comentários