A NORTHSIDE councillor said he is delighted that Dublin City Council has passed his motion which called for special toilet facilities for people with disabilities to be established as part of new amenities planned for his area.
The city council is currently planning two new cafe/ tearoom facilities, with toilet facilities attached, in St Anne's Park and Fairview Park respectively.
Cllr Damian O’Farrell said: “Following my motion, 'Changing Places' toilet facilities for people with disabilities and also mobility issues will now be built in St Anne's Park and Fairview Park.”
Changing Places facilities are fully accessible toilets which include the following extra features -height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench, ceiling tracking hoist system, height-adjustable wash-hand basin, adequate space for person with a disability and up to two assistants (12 metres squared), centrally located toilet with space both sides for assistants, privacy screen, wide paper roll and large waste disposal bin.’
Cllr O’Farrell said: “St Anne's Park is very near the Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) and the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA headquarters and patrons who use St Anne's Park extensively will be able to do so in a more comfortable fashion.
“Both projects are at design stage currently. The St Anne's Park facility will be built near the children's playground adjacent to the 'boules' surface and the Fairview Park Tearooms facility will be built near Edge's Corner on the site of the current Dublin City Council Parks depot.”
In May 2018 Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA), Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) and Inclusion Ireland, alongside people with disabilities and their families launched the Changing Places Ireland campaign.
Changing Places toilet facilities have proved to be a life–changer for thousands of people and have saved people who have a significant disability from the indignity of having to use toilet facilities that are not suitable to meet their needs.
The campaign is encouraging businesses, organisations and public bodies to build and fund more of these facilities.