Hello on Monday November 26 at the Karralyka Centre in Ringwood we are launching a project that will have a huge significance in the social inclusion of people with a profound or severe disability as a result of an increase of public and private buildings that contain an accessible toilet that has been purposely designed for their requirements.  

The Changing Places project will pilot in Victoria with the aspiration to go Nationally in the future.   This project is based on world’s best practice and that is a highly successful UK web based campaign (Changing Places) that commenced in 2006.   

Changing Places is a accessible toilet that contains a ceiling hoist and adjustable adult change table.  In regards to bathroom needs, these facilities are required for people with a profound or severe disability, without these facilities the person with a disability and their carer face the following options 

• to go home
• to sit in wet continence pads
• to change on the floor of an accessible toilet

Under under currents standards 1428.1 the minimum requirements for a disabled toilet facility does not require a ceiling hoist or adult change table and therefore we find very few accessible toilets with a ceiling hoist and change table available.  Since the UK commenced the Changing Places campaign in 2006, there are now over 400 Changing Place facilities available across the UK in public places such as shopping centres, train stations, airports, entertainment venues.

Maroondah City Council  |  Braeside Ave Ringwood
9294 5750  |  0418 381 154 
jack.mulholland@maroondah.vic.gov.au 
www.maroondah.vic.gov.au 
www.strokeachord.com 
www.maroondah.vic.gov.au/CBP.aspx

This was also in the latest edition of PMLD LINK.

This report highlights the number of people in the UK who now don’t access any day service. The blurb highlights funding cuts to be a reason for day services closing. But I can’t help wondering if the systematic devaluing of the services and the agenda for individualisation has also resulted in people getting lost in the cracks?
I must read the whole report.

I just received the latest issue of PMLD LINK from the UK.
Some of you may be familiar with Victoria, who features in Jim Mansell’s Raising Our Sights video. In the latest PMLD LINK edition there is a great article by her mum, Jean Willson. The article focuses on realizing the value of engaging with a palliative care plan for Victoria as she becomes more frail. The article is positive, focusing on how to make the best out of Victoria’s every day. Thank you Jean and Victoria for sharing Victoria’s journey.