Aisling McNiffe described her world as limited, as facilities for her son are not always accessible
Local advocates in Kildare are continuing their campaign for accessible toilet facilities for people with disabilities, to mark Changing Places Awareness Day today.
A Changing Places Toilet is a facility for people with physical and intellectual disabilities who need the facilities, and are different from a standard disabled bathroom that people are familiar with.
It is a larger room, 12.6m squared, and includes an adult-sized changing bench, centrally located toilet bowls so a carer can be assisting on both sides, a ceiling track hoist and room for a large power chair to turn.
The campaign began in 2008, and on June 26th of this year, Minister Anne Rabbitte launched the NDA/CEUD Universal Guidelines for Changing Places Toilets, which is the go-to manual for anyone considering installing a Changing Places Toilet.
Ardclough resident Aisling McNiffe cares for her son Jack, and is campaigning and advocating for more accessible toilet facilities to be built in Kildare.
Speaking on this morning's Kildare Today programme, she detailed how vital these Changing Places Toilets are for her son Jack and others who need them.
There are only 25 registered Changing Places Toilets across Ireland, which McNiffe described as "a major lagging" compared to the UK, who have approximately 1,500.
McNiffe described her world as one that is limited, as she must consider how accessible locations are for her son, and she must be within 30 minutes of her home in case the facilties her son requires are not there.
Changing Places advocates are calling for inclusivity and are calling for the facilities to be in all places, not some.
In Kildare, there are a number of registered Changing Places Toilets, which are located at:
Kildare County Council offices in Naas
Newbridge Sports Centre
Naas Library
Unregistered ones include Maynooth University, as well as a step-down facility on Celbridge Main Street.
Other locations can be found on changingplaces.ie.
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