Lead Organisation: STAND North Wales CIC
Purpose of the survey
This survey was conducted by STAND North Wales CIC in order to better understand the thoughts, opinions and experiences of families across North Wales supporting children, young people and adults with additional needs and disabilities, with regards to access to public toilet facilities.
How the survey was conducted
The survey was created on SurveyMonkey and the link shared with STAND North Wales CIC mailing list. This included all parents, carers and professionals, as well as adults with additional needs, that STAND North Wales CIC supports.
Additionally, the survey was shared on our social media channels where we encouraged people to take part and share within their communities.
Representation within the survey
The survey was live from March to the beginning of August 2024 and we received 127 total responses for this survey from across five of the six North Wales counties.
It should be noted that representation from each county is not evenly distributed amongst respondents, with some counties engaging more than others.
Conclusions to be drawn from the Survey
This report highlights that for individuals with disabilities, the presence of such amenities can be a determining factor in their ability to participate in outings that others might easily overlook as a routine part of life. Ensuring accessibility in public spaces is not just about compliance with standards, but about enabling equal opportunities for all to enjoy the freedom of travel and leisure without barriers and preventing the social isolation of not just individuals, but entire families.
It highlights that, although disabled toilets are known to be present in the area, many are in disrepair, require attention, or are out of service. Simply having these amenities does not guarantee that they are accessible, a significant point brought to light by our investigation. It shows many changing facilities are only suitable for babies or toddlers. There appears to be a misconception that changing facilities are exclusively for the use of babies and toddlers.
94.5% of participants expressed concerns over the insufficient number of accessible toilets.
It is our firm belief that the Welsh government and local councils should prioritise increased funding for public amenities, particularly to enhance accessibility for those with special needs or disabilities. It is essential to recognise the long-term value and societal benefits of maintaining and improving them.