Accessibility is being taken beyond basic requirements for disabled students in Scotland.
Strathclyde University is investing in installing two additional Closomat ‘wash and dry’ toilets, manufactured and supplied by Closomat, over and above the existing four already located on its John Anderson Campus, within faculty and social areas, and also specially adapted student accommodation. Now, to further enhance the current provision, and to even more fully encompass the needs of all potential users, the University has added Aerolet vertical toilet lifts, also supplied by Closomat, to its accessible toilet facilities.
A spokesperson for the University’s space management & planning and estates management department explained,
It is University policy to refurbish to at least the requirements of BS8300, and include ‘Best Practice’, to accommodate the needs not only of disabled students but disabled staff. We work closely with students to identify key locations and make the necessary adaptations to enable them to enjoy normal student life as far as possible. We have a combination of Closomats and Aerolets installed at various locations within John Anderson Campus, particularly near main teaching areas, the student health services, the student union and in specifically adapted student accommodation.
Adds Robin Tuffley, Closomat marketing manager
Many universities have Closomats installed, but only in student accommodation; Strathclyde has taken accessibility to higher levels by appreciating the students may need to use the toilet when around the campus.
It is a basic human right to be able to toilet with dignity, independence and in privacy: it is something we all have to do, every day. The Closomat toilet, with its integral douching and drying, enables anyone, regardless of manual dexterity, to ‘go to the loo’ hygienically and with little or no assistance; the Aerolet lift provides an ideal solution for people with muscular and/or balance issues, as it replicates the natural motion of standing up and sitting down, gently raising and lowering the user to position them accurately over the toilet or under the shower whilst enabling their feet to remain in contact with the floor and maintaining the centre of gravity above the feet for balance.
