Today Tuesday 19th November 2024 is ‘World Toilet Day’ it is a global campaign marked each year to highlight the importance of access to sanitation.
The event recognises the importance of hygienic, safe and accessible toilets, This year’s theme, as set out by the United Nations, is ‘Toilets: A Place for Peace’. The campaign suggests 3.5 billion people are without access to a safe toilet worldwide. (Who, 2023) Toilets should be ‘secure, hygienic and private’ (UN).
What is the point of World Toilet Day? World Toilet Day highlights the need for accessible, hygienic and safe toilets across the world. Sanitation is coming under increasing threat due to conflict, climate change and extreme weather/disasters, creating barriers to safe toilet access. World Toilet Day sheds light on toilet inequality and the impact of not being able to use a toilet safely and accessibly. The more we understand the barriers in place and recognise those most affected by the lack of accessibility to a safe toilet, the more we can advocate for initiatives that promote greater health equality.
Why am I recognising World Toilet Day?
World Toilet Day signifies recognition for the need for accessible, clean and safe toilets for ALL individuals. Access to use the toilet is a human right that many disabled people don’t have. Supporting this campaign not only supports those in situations of poverty, poor health, conflict, being affected by natural disasters and extreme weather conditions but also recognises the need for more toilets and could be a move towards greater accessibility for disabled people globally.
Why is World Toilet Day so important for disabled people?
Not all “accessible” toilets are made equally. Despite a notable lack of accessible public toilets in general, those that do exist aren’t always that “accessible” to different disabilities and mobility needs (i.e. changing benches, raised toilet seats, sufficient space and enough hand rails).
Access to a safe toilet is an essential human right. It isn’t just about the structural aspects that make a toilet safe and accessible, the cleanliness of a toilet is also key to ensuring those using it aren’t being put at risk.
Why this cause is so important for disabled people? - Disabledpeople worldwide need access to toilets to avoid infection. Here in the UK finding accessible toilets can be challenging due to a lack the accessibility, closures and more Disabled people need accessible, safe and clean toilets for a range of different disabilities and mobility needs (i.e. changing benches, raised toilet seats, sufficient space, reachable andhand rails.)
Why is this cause so important for women?
Women and girls are more likely to be vulnerable to poor health hygiene and safety leaving them susceptible to abuse and have struggles in their work, education and ability to live life with dignity.
What makes a good toilet?
This question is open to interpretation. But when asking members of my disability group here are some of the answers they came up with: Regular inspections and good hygiene levels, enough space and clear floors, accessible signage and safety features, quiet, free sanitary products and sanitary bins (that aren’t overflowing!) reachable sinks, alarms and rails, full length mirrors, grab bars, toilet roll and antibacterial hand soap, private, safe, non- slip or not wet floors, secure, warm running water.
There’s nothing worse than the panic as a disabled person of not being able to find a toilet. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of accessible toilets and changing Places facilities in Brighton & Hove. I could list many many more so if you’re ever caught short in a panic feel free to pop me a message and I can let you know where your nearest clean accessible toilet is!
Accessible Toilets in Brighton and Hove
Changing places vs disabled toilet
Changing places facilities are spaces which help to meet the needs of disabled people. They may include changing facilities, showers. Support for Personal Assistants or carers and independent toilet support aids.
Below is a list of Changing Places Facilities in Brighton and Hove:
Shelter Hall, Kings Road Arches, BN1 1NB
(open 9am to 6pm)
adult sized wall mounted bench which is height adjustable
ceiling hoist and loop hoist
peninsular toilet
height adjustable washbasin
emergency alarm
privacy screen
accessible shower
colostomy shelf
St Ann’s Well Gardens, Somerhill Road, Hove, BN3 1RP
This toilet:
is open 10am to 6pm during summer hours and 10am to 4pm during winter hours
is opposite Little Forest Nursery in St Ann’s Well Gardens
requires a RADAR key to access
The equipment available includes:
adult sized wall mounted bench which is height adjustable
ceiling hoist and loop hoist
peninsular toilet
height adjustable washbasin
emergency alarm
privacy screen
accessible shower
colostomy shelf
The Colonnade, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1EN
This toilet is:
open 9am to 6pm
located in a small terrace of shops and cafes
The equipment available includes:
adult sized free standing bench which is height adjustable
ceiling hoist
peninsular toilet
height adjustable washbasin
Dalton's Bastion, Lower Prom, East of Brighton Pier, Madeira Drive, Brighton, BN2 1TW
This toilet is:
open from 9am to 6pm
The equipment available includes:
Wall mounted height adjustable changing bench
Ceiling hoist
Peninsular toilet
Height adjustable wash basin
Emergency alarm
Privacy screen
Colostomy shelf
Brighton Centre, Brighton, BN1 2GR
This toilet is:
open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm
open on bank holidays if box office is open
only available for ticket holders and event attendees when an event is happening
(Must contact Brighton centre before using)
Preston Park, Brighton, BN1 6HN
This toilet:
is open 10am to 6pm during summer hours and 10am to 4pm during winter hours
is behind the Rotunda Café in Preston Park
requires a RADAR key to access
The equipment available includes:
adult sized wall mounted bench which is height adjustable
ceiling hoist and loop hoist
peninsular toilet
height adjustable washbasin
emergency alarm
privacy screen
accessible shower
colostomy shelf
Additionally:
Brighton train station (in my experience it’s been difficult to access this in an emergency as it is not a radar system)
AMEX Community Stadium
Rockwater, Western Esplande
Churchill Square
The One Garden, Stanmer Park
Phone number: 01273 29 29 29
Here are restaurants or cafes with accessible toilets I’d recommend:
(Make sure you go in to buy something too!)
Alcampo Lounge, London Road
Alduomo, Near Brighton Pavilion
Coppa Club, the Lanes
Franco Manca, North Laines
What initiatives are in place to support disabled people in accessing toilets?
Euan’s Guide Cards -
Euan’s Guide Cards draw attention to the importance of red alarm cords in toilets. They read: 'This red emergency cord must hang freely all the way to the floor. If it does not, it may prevent a disabled person from asking for help’, which aims to make disabled toilets safer for their users.
Bladder and Bowel UK Cards -
Bladder and Bowel UK offer ‘Just Can’t Wait’ cards, which give users access to toilets that may not always be open to the general public. The cards are recognised by many retail and hospitality services.
Radar Keys
Radar Keys (aka National Key Scheme) enable access to over 9,000 accessible toilets across the UK. The scheme has been implemented by numerous authorities and organisations, with the locations of Radar Toilets mapped on the Great British Public Toilet Map.
You can get a Radar Key from your local authority or buy one online. Radar Keys are free to residents of Brighton and Hove. (https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/libraries-leisure-and-arts/public-toilets/apply-radar-key
Link to Euan’s Guide Cards -
> text reads 'This red emergency cord must hang freely all the way to the floor. If it does not, it may prevent a disabled person from asking for help.'
> aim to make disabled toilets safer for their users and draw attention to the importance of red cords in toilets.
Link to Bladder and Bowel uk cards
> Recognised by many retail/hospitality services and give users access to toilets not always available to the general public.
> Convenient, small and discrete.
What is a Radar Key?
> Radar Keys enable access to over 9,000 accessible toilets across the UK.
> Aka National Key Scheme, which has been implemented by numerous authorities and organisations.
> You can find the location of a Radar Toilet using the Great British Public Toilet Map (link?)
> You can get a Radar Key from your local authority or buy one online.
> Radar Keys are free to residents of Brighton and Hove.
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