Accessible toilets: it’s doesn’t have to be a loo-sing game

It's World Toilet Day and the perfect time to discuss the accessibility issues that ostomates and ISC (intermittent self-catheterisation) catheter users face in their day-to-day lives.

Issues accessing non-public toilets

A common worry for ostomates and ISC catheter users is finding an accessible toilet when they’re out and about. There aren’t always public toilets available which may mean asking to use the loo in a private business like a restaurant or a shop. Although some businesses are happy for non-customers to do so they also have the right to refuse people access to their facilities. You can find out more about your rights when it comes to accessing public toilets in our blog.

Even when an accessible toilet is available ostomates and ISC catheter users can still be faced with discrimination by being challenged or criticised for using the facilities because their condition is “hidden”. In Colostomy UK’s recent survey, more than 30 per cent of respondents stated that they had experienced problems of this nature in shops, sporting venues, visitor attractions and other public areas¹.

What can make toilets more accessible?

Access isn’t the only issue. Toilets can often lack the facilities that make changing a stoma bag or using an intermittent catheter safe, clean and easy². So, what facilities make life easier for stoma bag and catheter users? We’ve compiled a list of features that can improve the experience:

• A shelf – Ideally in reach of the toilet. This is important for ostomates and ISC catheter users to put their equipment on and avoid having to put it on unsanitary surfaces like the floor.
• A bin – The number one essential! Although it is fine to dispose of stoma bags and catheters in a sanitary bin these are usually only available in female toilets. Often other bins are not placed in the cubicle but in the more public area of the toilet which can make disposing of equipment a potentially embarrassing task.
• Radar Key Lock – This is a universal lock used on accessible toilets, keys can be bought to open accessible toilets with these locks. This allows people who need to use accessible toilets the ability to do so without having to ask which can be awkward for some people.
• Accessible toilet signage – Signage that highlights the fact that not all conditions that would require a person to use an accessible toilet are visible, reduces risk of hostility for ostomates when using an accessible toilet³. This can also apply to anyone with a hidden condition including catheter users.
• A mirror – This can help people to see their stoma, especially if it’s in a hard-to-reach area making bag changes easier. It also allows people to check to make sure that fluids haven’t got on their clothes while changing their bag or using an intermittent catheter.

What else can help?

There are a number of tools and resources available to help make life easier and getting out and about less stressful.

Radar Keys

Radar keys can be used to access toilets with radar locks, if you have a radar key over 9,000 toilets in the UK are open to you. Radar keys are available at a cost of £5 to anybody with a recognised disability. We provide them free of charge to all users of our SecuriCare home delivery service.

Just Can’t Wait card

The Just Can’t Wait Card is recognised and supported by many retail and service organisations, giving you access to toilets not normally available to the general public⁴. It can fit easily into your purse or wallet and the cards are widely accepted and acknowledged around the UK. We provide everyone who signs up to our home delivery service with a Toilet Priority Card that can be used in the same way as a Just Can’t Wait Card.

Apps and websites

In times of need, there are a variety of apps and websites to help you find the closest public toilet to you:

The Great British Toilet Map is an interactive map that lists public toilets all over the UK.

Flush Toilet Finder & Map has a database of tens of thousands of public toilets and can be used even when you aren’t online. It’s available on the App Store and Google Play.

WheelMate™ is an app that specifically finds accessible toilets. It’s available for Apple and Android devices.

Pelvic floor exercises

If you suffer from urinary incontinence, pelvic floor exercises may be able help you control the urge to use the toilet depending on what the cause of your incontinence is. These exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and can improve symptoms of stress and urge type incontinence. CliniMed offer free downloadable guides to pelvic floor exercises for both men and women.

References

¹ Colostomy UK. (n.d.). stoma friendly toilets. [online] Available at: https://www.colostomyuk.org/campaigns/toilets/. [Accessed 29 Sept 2024].

² Guide to Stoma Friendly Accessible Toilets. (n.d.). Available at: https://www.colostomyuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Colostomy-UK-Stoma-Friendly-Accessible-toilets-2.pdf [Accessed 29 Sept 2024].

³ Colostomy UK. (n.d.). stoma friendly toilets. [online] Available at: https://www.colostomyuk.org/campaigns/toilets/. [Accessed 29 Sept 2024].

⁴ Bladder & Bowel UK. (n.d.). Just Can’t Wait Card by BBUK. [online] Available at: https://www.bbuk.org.uk/just-cant-wait-cards/. [Accessed 29 Sept 2024].