Single occupant accessible toilet

Ermantrude

Hi all,

I wonder if you can help with a question: my son has anxiety about using the toilets at college so sometimes won't eat or drink. His college says he cannot use the single occupant accessible toilet as staff use them. 2 of these toilets have 'Staff only' on the door. There is a third on the ground floor, away from where his classes are. What are his rights under the DD Act? Is the college allowed to do this, as another toilet is available?

Thanks in advance

Mary_Scope

Hi @Ermantrude and a warm welcome to the community!

Under the Equality Act the college does have responsibility to provide reasonable adjustments. I'm wondering if you have you had a meeting with the college to discuss this?

If not, then its definitely worth chatting with the college to explain how anxiety affects your son, and ask if he can use the closer toilet as a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act.

If the college says no, then it may be helpful to contact the Equality Advisory Support Service for specific advice and support on what to do next if the college doesn't provide reasonable adjustments😄

Ermantrude

Hi Mary

Many thanks for your welcome and reply. I have spoken to them; I was fobbed off, the SENCO said that he has access to the disabled cubicle. She said they didn't have separate accessible toilets. This was not true.

I will return to the matter, as my son was also promised a toilet pass. This hasn't materialised.

I will get advice from the Equality advisory service you suggested.

Many thanks. Have a lovely day

Mary_Scope

Not a problem, I hope it helps.

If after speaking to the advisory service and the college are still not putting in support like the toilet pass and access to a suitable toilet then it may be worth contacting your local SENDIASS. These are education experts in your local authority who can give you free and impartial information and advice on everything to do with education and are especially good to contact if your son isn't getting the right support from college😊

Ermantrude

Brilliant, thank you so much

Wibbles

I assume that you are aware that legislation exists - re the size and make up of accessible toilets - such as door must open outwards (to prevent user from getting stuck in the cubicle), it must have an emergency pull cord and the size must be at least 1.5metres by 1.525 metres

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67167c02d100972c0f4c9b38/ADT_2024.pdf

I am sure that if you check your college they will let your son use any toilets that he needs - otherwise the lack of facilities will be reported to government ?

Ermantrude

Thank you, Wibbles!