Government investment to expand provision of accessible, community toilets to support the more than 25,000 people in Scotland with complex needs and disabilities
The Scottish Government has announced funding of £10m to expand the Changing Places Toilets scheme.
Photo by Jakub Pabis / Unsplash
At present, there are 270 specialist accessible toilets in Scotland provided through the scheme designed to meet the needs of disabled people who need carer support and equipment. The new funding will support the provision of up to 150 more.
Applications are now open for the new funding, with priority given to areas that do no currently have an adequate provision of Changing Places Toilets. The £10m is being allocated across two financial years, 2025-26 and 2026-27, and is administered by Inspiring Scotland.
In 2019, a change in legislation required accessible spaces to be included in all large new buildings with public access.
Jill Clark, from Glasgow, says: ‘By having lots of Changing Places Toilets, I have more freedom to go places without worrying if I get to the toilet.’
Jenny Miller, CEO of PAMIS – an organisation that promotes a more inclusive society – adds: ‘This investment and opportunity to dramatically increase the number of Changing Places Toilets across Scotland will make an enormous difference to the lives of some of the most excluded people within our society.
‘Filling the gaps in the provision of this essential facility will open up the whole of Scotland and ensure everyone has the same opportunity to travel, access public spaces and engage in their communities.
‘We are proud to be working alongside both the Scottish Government and Inspiring Scotland on this important project over the coming months, helping to ensure that new Changing Places Toilets are thoughtfully planned, well supported, and sustainably delivered across the country.’
Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Social Care, Mental Well-being and Sport, says: ‘Access to toilet facilities is a fundamental human right. Changing Places Toilets offer vital facilities for people with disabilities and their families and carers whose needs cannot be met through standard accessible toilet provision.
‘I am very pleased the Fund has now launched. This £10m investment in Changing Places Toilets will make a huge difference to thousands of disabled people and their families and carers, enabling them to participate fully in society and access community resources.’
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