Changing Places Assessments

What is a Changing Places Assessment?

A Changing Places Assessment is a specialist accessibility assessment of a Changing Places facility or proposed Changing Places design. These facilities provide larger, more highly equipped accessible bathroom and change spaces for people with complex disabilities and high support needs, supporting dignity, privacy, comfort and safe assistance.

Access Studio undertakes Changing Places Assessments for public buildings, community facilities, transport hubs, education settings, sports and recreation facilities, major venues, shopping centres, civic buildings and other locations where inclusive public amenities are required or proposed.

A Changing Places Assessment typically reviews the facility layout, clearances, circulation, hoist provisions, adult sized change table, toilet, basin, shower where applicable, privacy screen, fixtures, fittings, doors, signage, emergency call systems, equipment placement and the relationship between the facility and surrounding accessible paths of travel.

Why would I need a Changing Places Assessment?

A Changing Places Assessment may be needed where a project is required to provide a Changing Places facility, where a client wishes to confirm that a proposed layout meets the relevant standards, or where an existing facility needs to be reviewed for compliance, usability or upgrade planning.

These facilities are relied upon by people who cannot use standard accessible toilets or ambulant facilities. If the room is too small, poorly arranged, missing required equipment or difficult to access, it can significantly limit whether a person can visit and use the building or public space with dignity.

Early review can help project teams avoid expensive redesign and ensure the facility supports the intended users, carers and attendants in a practical and safe way.

What our Changing Places Assessment may include

  • Review of proposed or existing Changing Places facility layouts.
  • Assessment of circulation space, manoeuvring, door access and equipment placement.
  • Review of hoists, change tables, supportive seating, toilet, basin, shower and other fixtures where applicable.
  • Signage, access path and surrounding amenity considerations.
  • Identification of compliance issues, usability concerns and recommended amendments.
  • Reporting to support design development, approval, registration or upgrade works.

How Access Studio supports your project

Our access consultants understand the specialist nature of Changing Places facilities and the importance of getting the room layout and equipment coordination right. We provide practical, detailed advice to help project teams deliver facilities that are compliant, dignified and genuinely usable.

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