We have an important update to the Campaign for more Changing Places Toilet Facilities in Ireland. The public consultation on the Review of Building Regulations Part M (Access and Use) to make provision for a changing places toilet in certain buildings is now open. This is great news for thousands of children and adults with disabilities who are restricted in where they can go and what they can do because they will not find a toilet with the equipment they need. Without Changing Places Toilet Facilities available throughout the country people with disabilities are denied a basic human right and continue to be excluded from everyday life.
We would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation and highlight how important and necessary these facilities are. To show your support, send an email to buildingstandards@housing.gov.ie to tell the Department there needs to be more Changing Places in the country. It is easy to make a submission and we have a sample email below which you can use as a template for your own submission.
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Sample email to send to buildingstandards@housing.gov.ie
“I wish to register my support for Changing Places toilet facilities standards to be included in Part M building regulations.
Including Changing Places toilet facilities standards in Part M building regulations is essential because:
· Changing Places toilet facilities have minimum standards for room dimensions and specialised equipment which are required in order for the many people who need such facilities to have safe and hygienic access to toilet facilities in our towns and communities.
· People who need a Changing Places toilet are currently excluded from places and buildings because public toilets; and standard accessible public toilets; do not meet their toileting requirements. Part M regulations would ensure Changing Places are available.
· The Changing Places Ireland campaign has led to less than 20 registered changing places facilities across the State in 7 years. Because there is a reliance on goodwill rather than legislated inclusive design people continue to be excluded from their towns and communities and from many opportunities most take for granted such as access to work, recreation, retail, leisure, sporting, education, economic and transport outlets. Part M regulations would ensure inclusion is by design rather than by favours.
· There needs to be a reasonable network of such facilities to provide inclusive access to the built environment and infrastructure across Ireland, and to ensure basic respect and dignity for everyone living in, working in, or visiting our towns and communities. Part M regulations would ensure there is a network of such facilities.”
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You can add a personal comment to your email on your own experience and why Changing Places Toilet Facilities are essential. Send your email to buildingstandards@housing.gov.ie
Full detail on how to take part in the consultation, including an easy read consultation document, are available here – https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/247d5-public-consultation-on-the-review-of-building-regulations-part-m-access-and-use-to-make-provision-for-a-changing-places-toilet-in-certain-buildings/
The closing date for the receipt of submissions and comments is no later than 5:00 p.m. on 12 May, 2022.
We would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation and highlight how important and necessary these facilities are.