Access Compass guide
Changing Places toilets: what they provide and how to find one
Use the official Changing Places map, understand the extra space and equipment these toilets provide, and confirm opening, access and equipment details before relying on a facility.
Published by Access Compass · How we research and check guides
Who it's for: everyone, Families, Parents & carers, Children & young people, Adults, Professionals
✓ Verified Last checked 3 Aug 2026. Always confirm details with the service before relying on them.
The road travelled
Where we came from
Standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of people who require an adult-sized changing bench, a hoist, more space and support from carers. Disabled people and families campaigned for facilities that make ordinary community life possible without unsafe floor changing or avoidable exclusion.
Where we are now
The Changing Places campaign and consortium maintain the official UK registration and map. Registered facilities provide the defining extra space and equipment, while individual venues remain responsible for current opening, access and maintenance information.
Where we are heading
Progress means more facilities in everyday destinations, reliable opening and access details, well-maintained equipment and venue information that connects toilets to the complete accessible journey rather than treating them as an isolated feature.
People and campaigns that moved this forward
- Disabled people, families and carers — Established the need for safe, dignified personal-care facilities beyond a standard accessible toilet.
- Changing Places campaign and consortium — Set the recognised facility standard and maintain the official registration and public map.
- UK and devolved governments — Supported policy, funding and building-standard routes that increased provision in public buildings.
- Local authorities and venue operators — Install, register, maintain and publish practical access information for individual facilities.
Visual explanations
These diagrams use real text, so the same complete information can be zoomed, selected, read aloud and printed.
Comparison guide · full text built in
Changing Places toilet: what to expect and verify
A labelled-text guide to the extra space, peninsular toilet, adult-sized changing bench, ceiling hoist, washbasin and practical access information expected for a Changing Places facility. The headings and lists that follow are the complete text equivalent of this visual.
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Space and layout
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Room for the disabled person and carers
A Changing Places toilet provides substantially more space than a standard accessible toilet and a centrally placed peninsular toilet.
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Changing and transfer
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Adult-sized bench and ceiling hoist
The room should include a height-adjustable adult changing bench and a ceiling-track hoist. Users normally bring their own compatible sling.
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Washing and privacy
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Basin, screen and safe environment
Check the washbasin, privacy screen, floor space, disposal arrangements and any shower or additional equipment listed for that facility.
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Before relying on it
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Use the official map, then confirm locally
Check the current registration, address, opening hours, access key, staff route, parking and whether equipment is available and working.
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Printable and zoomable: this is structured text, not an image.
Step by step
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Understand what makes it a Changing Places toilet
A Changing Places toilet is larger than a standard accessible toilet and includes a height-adjustable adult-sized changing bench, a peninsular toilet and a ceiling-track hoist, with space for the disabled person and carers. Check the official specification and the individual facility record rather than relying only on a venue's toilet symbol.
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Search the official map
Use the Changing Places official map to search by place or postcode. The map is the route to registered facilities; it is not a guarantee that a room is open, unlocked or fully operational at the moment you travel.
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Confirm before relying on the facility
Check opening hours, exact location, step-free route, entry system or key, staff availability, parking, current equipment and whether the room can be used without buying a ticket. Users normally bring their own compatible sling for the hoist.
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Plan the whole visit
Connect the toilet check with transport, parking, entrances, lifts, queues, sensory needs, changing time, companions and emergency arrangements. A Changing Places toilet is essential access for many people but does not prove the rest of the venue is accessible.
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Report changes or problems
Tell the venue about urgent equipment, cleanliness or access problems and use the official map's contact route for inaccurate registration information. Keep an alternative facility in the plan where a failed room would make the visit unsafe.
Useful links
Source: https://www.changing-places.org/