Funding has been secured for a new fully accessible ‘Changing Places’ toilet in Letterkenny Town Centre.
Donegal County Council was allocated €75,000 under the Disability Participation and Awareness Programme to build the facility and support other disability projects in Donegal.
A Changing Places facility is a public toilet specially designed for use by people with complex and multiple impairments/disabilities that require the help of up to two carers, with extra space and facilities to allow them to use the toilet.
Letterkenny-Milford Mayor Jimmy Kavanagh has welcomed the news this week that Donegal County Council’s funding application was a success. €50,000 will go towards the installation of the toilet, with the remaining €25,000 to be used elsewhere in the county.
“This will make a big difference to people and enable people with complex needs to come to Letterkenny to shop and socialise,” Cllr Kavanagh said. “The next step is to find a suitable location. I’d be hoping for somewhere where there is a lot of footfall, like the Retail Park, but that will be decided by the council.
“All going well, we could have this in place early in 2022.”
A Changing Places facility is much larger than the average accessible toilet, Cllr Kavanagh explained.
“They address the needs of people with complex disabilities and include features such as a hoist and adult-sized changing facilities. It makes life much more comfortable for people, who might otherwise have to change on the toilet floor.”
Cllr Kavanagh has thanked local woman Catherine Chang, a wheelchair user who suggested that the council should explore options to provide the inclusive facility. The Mayor also praised the work of DCC Access Officer Trudi O’Reilly on the funding application.
