Facilities for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities

The provision of specialist facilities for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities is not a requirement of Building Regulations. However, where it has been decided to provide such a facility, the following information will assist designers in their development decisions for the facility (in relation to location, access, spacial issues, facilities, equipment, etc.). People with profound and multiple learning disabilities, who require the help of up to two assistants, need a facility that is a combined toilet, shower and changing room. Such facilities require extra space to accommodate people with, often using large wheelchairs having elevated leg rests, a reclining facility or integral oxygen cylinders, and space to fit slings for use with a hoist. It also needs to be possible for a wheelchair to remain within the facility when not in use without compromising the safe access and use of the equipment. A Changing Places toilet includes such extra space and facilities. Where it is decided to include facilities for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities in a building – (a) specialist advice can be obtained from MENCAP Segal House, 4 Annadale Avenue, Belfast, BT7 3JH (www.mencap.org.uk) or the Changing Places Consortium, (www.changing-places.org); and (b) specific guidance on the design of such a facility is given in BS 8300. It is important to note that a combined toilet, shower and changing room for people with complex and multiple disabilities is not designed for the use of independent wheelchair users and does not negate the need for the provision of unisex wheelchair accessible sanitary accommodation that normally compliments traditional separate sex sanitary accommodation.