Mobiloo major boost for disabled people

Mobiloo major boost for disabled people

14 February 2018

A DARRAGH Cross man living with motor neurone disease has launched the Mobiloo in Northern Ireland.

Michael Holden, who last year was awarded an MBE for his services to people with disabilities, hopes the mobile accessible toilet will remove barriers to attending events such as outdoor festivals, concerts and sports games.

The toilet is built in a van and is designed to be used at outdoor events to provide a dignified and clean space for those with additional needs.

According to a 2009 University of Dundee study, there are at least 250,000 people in the UK for whom a standard accessible toilet does not meet their needs. 

They might need a bit more space so that their carers can assist them or require equipment such as a changing bench and electronic hoist. All of these are found in a Mobiloo, the concept of which was and designed by Active Impact, a Community Interest Company based in Gloucestershire.

Last Wednesday, the Mobiloo was launched at Windsor Park in Belfast by Michael and disability rights campaigner Michaela Hollywood, from Crossgar.

Michael, who lives with his wife, Jennifer, and two children, Georgia and Noah, was diagnosed motor neurone disease in December 2010.

He overcame the shock of his diagnosis to set up a travel review site for disabled people, called ‘Tripability’, and qualified as a pilot four years after his diagnosis through training at Aerobility, a specialist flying school for disabled people.

He made his specially-adapted plane available at Newtownards airfield so local people with disabilities could have the opportunity to fly.

Among the organisations he is involved with is Disability Pride and the Centre for Independent Living.

Michael said the Mobiloo would be ideal for Northern Ireland’s many outdoor events and festivities.

“So many outdoor activities are restricted to me as a person and my family as we depend on access to toilets, just like everyone else,” he said.

“In Northern Ireland, there are approximately 410 outdoor festivals and events each year. These can vary from concerts, air shows, parades, continental markets and agricultural show. With an estimated 19,000 wheelchair users.

“At each of these a toilet facility is provided for able bodied visitors, which is invariably in the form of a portaloo. There are larger versions of these, but as any wheelchair user will vouch, they are not fit for purpose and certainly cannot accommodate those with severe impairments.”

Michael, who invested the £75,000 required to buy the first Mobiloo, now hopes to complete another two specially designed vehicles. It is hoped the investment will be recouped by organisations hiring the facility.

“In the range we have a van, which can pull up at day events, a trailer which is designed to be situated at a location for longer events and a marquee for activities that may be based on a beach,” he said.

“We are actively seeking a sponsor to be able to bring more equipment on line in an effort to have full coverage for all events across the entire island of Ireland. There is also a drive to encourage event planners to consider the vehicles, as many of them have not yet accepted the need.”

Michael added: “It is tremendously frustrating personally when I am with my family, and we cannot go somewhere or spend all day there. You see the disappointment on their faces.

“Either we don’t go or I stop taking fluids so I don’t need the toilet, which is not good.

“Locally the Mobiloo could be used at air shows, St Patrick’s Day, events around Strangford Lough, or even to pull up outside a hotel where there is a conference.”