Persons with disabilities in Nakuru county can now breathe a sigh of relief after County Executive for Social Services Josephine Achieng Tuesday commissioned and handed over the site for the construction of accessible toilets.
Speaking during the event, the CEC observed that for a long time, appropriate and suitable toilets for PWDs has been a challenge and therefore, the county has embarked on addressing the issue.
According to a news report by KNA, Achieng instructed the contractor to employ locals at the Lake View Ward construction site so as to create jobs and make it a community-appreciated and accepted project.
The CEC said public toilets are essential in meeting the sanitation needs of the public, including PWDs, especially when they are away from their homes or workstations.
She said suitable toilets will be designed to meet the needs of persons with physical disabilities who are mostly wheelchair users, people with bowel conditions, and People with balance issues.
Additionally, she said the county will endeavor to make movements for PWDs easier within the city by providing signage for more gazette parking, ramps, and handrails.
Accessible toilets are an absolute necessity for many persons with disabilities, but this has been ignored by most product and service providers in the country.
The toilets help PWDs stay safe and independent.
What makes an accessible toilet?
Accessible doorway, the door should be wider than normal so that wheelchair users can easily roll in and out. The door should also be lightweight for easy opening- with minimal force.
The toilet should have grab rails to provide crucial support, stability, and balance for anyone transferring onto the toilet. Without them, the toilet is considered unsafe for persons with disabilities.
The toilet seat has to be raised for the safety of people with reduced mobility.
Mirrors and sinks in accessible toilets should be placed at a lower height. This makes them useable for anyone seated in a wheelchair.
Any paper towels or hand dryers should also be placed close to the sink. This way mobility aid users won’t have to touch their wheelchair, rollator, or crutches with wet hands as they go to dry them off.
The tap in an accessible toilet should be an easy-to-use design that doesn’t require much force. Especially as some disabilities involve difficulty gripping things, the tap should be useable with a closed fist.
An accessible toilet has to be spacious enough to turn and maneuver in a wheelchair.
Every accessible toilet needs an emergency alarm cord. This ensures that anyone who falls or needs assistance can signal for help.
Signposting with a wheelchair icon is especially important so anyone in need of an accessible toilet knows it exists.