Hidden disabilities, hidden barriers

An article written by 16-year-old Eva Yates about how accessible disabled toilets really are.

Some people have found that their basic needs are restricted by overlooked issues surrounding disabled toilets – facilities intended to be accessible to everyone.

There are an estimated 200,000 people living with a stoma in the UK, and many toilets are not accessible to some of the people who need them most.

A stoma, often referred to as an ostomy, is an opening on the surface of the abdomen which has been surgically created to divert bodily wastes. Anyone, from infants to older people, can have stoma surgery if they need it and are sometimes known as ‘ostomates’.

Ostomates often need to empty or change their stoma bag in a disabled toilet because the facilities in a public toilet usually aren’t suitable.

Younger children with disabilities, such as a stoma, may be able to receive assistance in open public areas with the help of parents and carers. This is often not easy for teenagers or adults because places for them to sort their stoma are limited.

There are an estimated 8,000 accessible toilets around the UK, most opened with a RADAR key for enhanced security and cleanliness. Still, many individuals express the need for more to be done.

Established in 2005, the Changing Places campaign offers accessible toilets for all who may need them in the UK. They acknowledged the important issue of people with disabilities not receiving the facilities they need in a disabled toilet, so they launched a campaign to support parents, carers, and disabled individuals.

Changing Places toilets offer facilities such as a height adjustable washbasin, height adjustable changing bench, a privacy screen, big mirrors, and shelves. These are facilities that make an accessible toilet ‘stoma-friendly’.

As charities, such as Colostomy UK, are helping raise stoma awareness, the stigma surrounding the disability is decreasing. Morrisons have now made stoma-friendly facilities in their stores across England, Scotland and Wales to promote customers’ comfort, dignity and peace of mind.

David Scott, Corporate Affairs Director at Morrisons, said: “We’re really pleased to introduce these improvements in all our stores after listening to customers and with guidance from Colostomy UK.

“We worked closely with Edward Mountain (Member of the Scottish Parliament), who wrote to us about his personal condition, and we found his letter incredibly moving. From this, we recognised that living with a stoma is often a hidden experience that still brings practical challenges in daily life.

“By making facilities easier to use across all Morrisons stores, we hope this brings reassurance when out and about and represents a step towards reducing everyday barriers and improving access to suitable facilities across the country.”

Changes like these are encouraging, but despite growing awareness of hidden disabilities, more than 60% of people with stomas say inadequate facilities still affect their day-to-day lives.

One spokesperson told the Reporter, “I think the world is becoming more aware of stomas, but more needs to be done for places to be completely 'stoma-friendly’. I think there needs to be proper medical waste bins for our used bags, and more signs with stamps indicated.”

Another said that they “wish more big bathroom stalls had sinks inside the stall as they work great if you need to wash anything out”

Many argue that awareness of these issues needs to be spread, as many don't realise the problems until a family member gets a stoma. Because of these issues, some say that there is no longer equality for those with disabilities.

Until accessible facilities become the norm rather than the exception, many people with hidden disabilities will continue to face unnecessary barriers in everyday life.

What do you think people can do to make a real difference?