Darragh Cross man’s toilet range is flush with success

Darragh Cross man’s toilet range is flush with success

14 April 2021

A DARRAGH Cross man is developing a new range of toilet access facilities for disabled people with complex medical needs.

Michael Holden and his social enterprise business, AccessoLoo, will soon have two mobile Changing Places toilets bought by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council for the People’s Park in Ballymena and Carnfunnock Country Park in Larne;

Michael will also provide a permanent toilet at Larne Leisure Centre. He has also sold two to the US market.

Michael, who is a full-time wheelchair user, has designed Changing Places in order to give disabled people confidence and privacy when using the bathroom at outdoor spaces, pop-up events or festivals.

He recently received a £15,000 grant award from UnLtd, the UK’s foundation for social entrepreneurs, to further develop his design.

Michael, who is also chair of the Centre of Independent Living NI, said: “The award’s funding and tailored business support will significantly help us to widen the positive social impact for the disabled community across the island of Ireland.

“During lockdown over the past year, we have utilised the time in research and development to be able to extend the products and services we are able to offer.

“As well as our mobile Changing Places for outdoor and pop-up events, we have been able to develop a modular Changing Places.

“This will offer a cost effective permanent solution to breaking down the barriers that disabled people face when trying to access public toilets. We are also able to extend this to installation of Changing Places is physical buildings as they are almost identical to the modular units that we are manufacturing.”

Each Changing Place will come a toilet and wash basin that can be lowered or heightened depending on the user’s needs, along with a changing table which can also be lowered. It is automatically washed down after every use to provide a hygienic convenience for its users.

His designs have been discussed in the European Parliament and at a United Nations conference in Australia.

Michael explained that central to his development of Changing Places was his experience of the barriers to living his life fully as someone living with a disability such as Motor Neurone Disease.

“Unless you are disabled or have a family member or friend who has a disability, the likelihood that you have even considered the barriers we face in daily living is nil,” said Michael.

“I have consulted with people such as local campaigner Michaela Hollywood to find out exactly what people with complex medical and disability needs require from using a public convenience.

“A blind person even commented that to find a toilet where the floor was dry enough for her guide dog is rest on was nearly impossible.”

Michael, who has been living with his wife, Jennifer, and children, Georgia and Noah, in Darragh Cross since 2002, stressed that AccessoLoo was about improving the everyday experience for disabled people while they were out and about and not about making a profit.

He said: “What is best about all of this, is that we are producing these items where quality is paramount, but the profit margin is not. This is a solution that we all believe in and require, so the more affordable the product, the more we hope to see installed.

“Working across the island of Ireland, we are a user led organisation and have a lived understanding of the barriers that we face in 99% of places we visit.”

Michael, who received an MBE in 2017 for his service to disabled community, added that he hoped to recruit two people with a disability to work on Changing Places as a plumber and carpenter by the end of the year.