A new structure aimed at increasing access for people living with a disability is taking shape at the Whyalla Foreshore, with a Changing Places toilet block currently under construction and expected to be completed by the end of this month.
Whyalla Council recognises that social inclusion is fundamental to a person’s quality of life and critical to achieving positive life outcomes across all areas.
This commitment to helping those in the community living with a disability was recognized when the State Government released a $1.7 million program aimed at increasing access for people living with disability; Whyalla was successful in receiving $100,000 in grant funds towards the implementation of this significant project.
The site for the new Changing Places facility was chosen after an extensive public consultation process and is conveniently located centrally to the existing Foreshore toilets and the disabled beach access ramp at the Whyalla Foreshore.
This Accredited Changing Places facility will ensure more people living with a disability, including visitors to the region, will have important facilities that help to give them greater independence, as well as delivering greater peace of mind for families and carers.
Changing Places are best-practice toilets that include customized features that give people with disabilities a dignified and purpose-built facility to use when they are out and about.
It’s important to note that Changing Places toilets are different to standard accessible toilets as they have extra features and more space to meet the needs of people with severe and profound disabilities, and their attendants.
The Changing Places facility, currently under construction at the Whyalla Foreshore, will have a range of features including a height-adjustable adult-sized change table, a tracking hoist system, non-slip flooring, and more space to accommodate a person using a wheelchair and up to two carers.
Council has opted to install a shower and air-conditioning to ensure the facility is more functional and comfortable on hot days, a screen will also be installed across the front of the toilets so that privacy can be maintained for those using the facility. Users must provide their own sling to use with the hoist, this is to minimise the risk of accident or contamination.
In order to ensure these new facilities meet the Changing Places specifications, Council has engaged the consultancy services of Architecture & Access (Aust) Pty Ltd.
The contractor who won this work was A&G D’Orazio and Co, a local company with experience in installing similar structures, such as the new DDA Compliant toilet at Ada Ryan Gardens.
The Whyalla Changing Places System will use an MLAK key system, which can be ordered from the Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia Ltd by completing the MLAK Order Form available here https://bit.ly/3fexR3x.
The key can be purchased by people with disabilities, their carers, assistants and support workers, and Changing Places facility owners.
What is an MLAK key?
The Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) system is an MLAA initiative that allows people with a disability access to dedicated public facilities, including facilities in National Parks and many Council municipalities, elevators at railway stations, the new Changing Places facilities throughout Australia, disabled toilets that are locked and even the Liberty Swing.
People with a disability are able to purchase an MLAK key which will open all toilets, playground equipment and other facilities fitted with a lock that uses the special MLAK cylinder.
Pictured above is the Whyalla Changing Places facility currently under construction at the Whyalla Foreshore.
Picture below is an existing Changing Places toilet; Whyalla’s facility will have similar exterior colours however there will be an additional privacy screen at the front.
