A 'Changing Place?'
We talk a lot about inclusive cities or smart cities. Buzzwords like accessibility, universal design, and diversity are tossed around in policy documents and press releases as if they’re already achieved. But here’s the truth: If your city doesn’t have adequate Changing Places facilities, then your city is not inclusive. It’s not accessible. And it’s definitely not modern. Changing Places are fully accessible bathrooms designed for people with complex disabilities. They go well beyond standard accessible toilets and include: An adult-sized, height-adjustable change table, a ceiling hoist system, e nough space for a wheelchair user and multiple carers, a privacy screen or curtain. In short: basic dignity. If you’ve never needed a Changing Place, chances are you’ve never checked whether one exists nearby. But for families like mine, our entire day hinges on finding one. And even then, we are bracing ourselves. Because like most parents of a disabled child, I don’t just h...