Toilet use when out, for wheelchair user

[GardenElf]

I left the hospital environment for the first time recently to a cafe with husband but I couldn't manoeuvre to the toilet, so I had to hold it until i was back

Does anyone have experience of the Changing Places toilets, or have a method of moving from a wheelchair?

[cat3]

Legally, cafés need to provide disabled access to toilets & washrooms unless spatially impossible. You're entitled to inform owners of this, or report them.

Citizen's Advice states:-

'If someone doesn’t cooperate with their duty to make reasonable adjustments, the Equality Act 2010 says it’s unlawful discrimination. You can ask the person or organisation to make the necessary changes. If they refuse, you can make a discrimination claim under the Equality Act'.

I'm not a wheelchair user Elf, but I see how the distress this causes must be soul destroying. I hope you can find somewhere more suitable in the meantime....

Cat, x

[Butterfly28]

It must be so difficult to experience this - so often it’s not just the provision of the toilet , it’s also access to it through a crowded cafe and around corners. I experienced similar frustrations trying to get my brother in law with prostate cancer to the disabled toilet n a wheelchair. I had hoped things had improved.

A couple of suggestions- do you have access to a physiotherapist as part of your treatment? In the case of my brother in law the physio had all kinds of tips for manoeuvring in and out of the wheelchair in different types of situations . They might be able to help.

The only other thing is maybe for your husband to check out the facilities at local cafes in advance of you visiting them. He really shouldn’t have to do this but if it helps you getting out it could be worth doing.

Good luck.

[Duchess39]

When I got out of hospital unfortunately I was like you no one tell you about this stuff. I had to have my husband in the loo with me. Ask the ot or someone to show you. Good luck xx

[Annabella1976]

I hold on to the bar and my mother pulls down my pants and I sit on the wheelchair again and slide over to the toilet