Who are they for?

Recent research found that over 230,000 severely disabled people, including those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, do not have access to public toilet facilities that meet their needs. 

There are around 40,000 people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, the majority of whom need Changing Places toilets.

Many other people also have similar needs. For example, we know that in the UK the number of people who would benefit from a Changing Places toilet would include approximately:

• 130,000 older people
• 30,000 people with cerebral palsy
• 13,000 people with an acquired brain injury
• 8,500 people with Multiple Sclerosis
• 8,000 people with Spin Bifida
• 500 people with Motor Neurone Disease

This means that almost a quarter of a million people in the UK would benefit from increased numbers of Changing Places toilets.

Their families and carers also need Changing Places toilets so they can go out in the community with their son or daughter, other family members and friends.

And the number of people with complex disabilities is growing – we are all living longer, meaning many more people are likely to need access to a Changing Places toilet in the future.

These figures come from a report by Professor James Hogg, at the University of Dundee. Read the full research (PDF)