Innova Care Concepts and Moto marks milestone for Changing Places Awareness Day
To mark Changing Places Awareness Day today, healthcare equipment provider Innova Care Concepts has reached a major milestone for accessibility in the UK by helping Moto to become the first motorway services provider to install 30 Changing Places toilets.
Changing Places Toilet Awareness Day focuses on raising more vital awareness of the life changing difference Changing Places Toilets make to people’s lives – not just in the UK but around the world.
Changing Places facilities help families with complex care needs to have better access to accessible toilets along the UK’S motorway network. Featuring specialist healthcare equipment, the toilets help reduce the risk of injury to both carers and individuals who require carer support.
With over 20 million car journeys expected to be taken in the UK this summer as the post-school getaway season begins, the personal needs of travellers, regardless of their disability status is front of mind for Moto Hospitality, the UK’s largest motorway services operator.
As car travel accounts for three in five journeys undertaken by a person with a severe disability, the majority of focus still remains on improving accessibility across public transport, including rail and seaports. In 2024, it is predicted that over a quarter of a million road trips will be made by people with severe disabilities, making it even more important that this challenge is overcome.
To address the gap, the collaboration between Moto and disability technology expert Innova Care Concepts has delivered 30 Changing Places Toilet facilities at Moto Services locations across England – offering convenience to every visitor regardless of their disability.
Part funded through the Department for Transport’s Changing Places Toilet £2m fund, a further five Changing Places Toilets will also be installed and registered later this year at Moto Service Areas.
Ken McMeikan, CEO of Moto Hospitality, commented: “All road users should expect to be treated with the same level of respect and understanding. At Moto we are totally committed to making our locations a place that everyone can easily access to reset and recharge.
“Our continued work with Innova and the installation of more Changing Places Toilets is a hugely important element of ensuring we deliver on that. As the first motorway services provider to reach the milestone of installing 30 Changing Places toilet facilities, we’re delighted to be playing our part so that individuals travelling with severe disabilities can undertake car journeys with confidence.”
While Changing Places Toilets are typically found in locations including sports venues, shopping centres, museums and larger public buildings, making them available for car travellers has been a more significant challenge.
Without access to advanced toilets like Changing Places, the risk to an individual’s safety and wellbeing increases as suboptimal toilet facilities present problems and challenges.
Tom Hulbert, Managing Director, Innova Care Concepts, added: “What Moto has achieved to date is extraordinary and represents a genuine commitment to enabling everyone, whoever they are, to travel and enjoy a summer break.
“Changing Places Toilets are technologically sophisticated, advanced support systems which require a great deal of planning to get right. We’re thrilled to be continuing our collaboration with Moto to make the UK one of the most accessible countries in the world for travellers.”
Key features unique to Changing Places Toilet facilities include toilet facilities that are larger and more accessible than normal, providing ample space for a wheelchair user and up to two assistants. Changing Places Toilets include a height-adjustable changing bench which allows for safe and comfortable transfers.
They are also equipped with a ceiling-mounted hoist system to assist with lifting and transferring individuals, heigh-adjustable washbasins, non-slip flooring and support rails.
Karen Hoe, Changing Places Manager at Muscular Dystrophy UK, commented “We are delighted that this funding has enabled 30 new Changing Places Toilets to be built by Innova, at Moto services across England. We know how much of a difference this will make opening up opportunities for people now to travel with confidence, reassurance and dignity knowing their toilet needs can be met.”
Most recently, a popular visitor attraction in Lancashire was assisted in becoming more inclusive thanks to the addition of a new Changing Places facility.
