World Toilet Day

World Toilet Day 2022

Today is World Toilet Day 2022 and we thought we would share some information to help the MS community when it comes to toileting away from home.

If you live with the invisible symptom of bladder or bowel disturbances, when you are out you may need to get to a toilet quickly. You may feel anxious about going out and need to ensure you know where your nearest toilet is.

Bladder and bowel issues are a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), affecting a large proportion of people. Living with these symptoms can have a real impact on everyday life.

Here we share some useful information to help support you when you are out and need the toilet.

Just can’t wait card

The charity Bladder and Bowel Community devised this card, which is available both digitally and as a physical plastic card, to help people with bladder and bowel issues access local toilets. Many retail outlets are becoming aware of these cards and those that are aware will be happy to provide access to toilets that are not generally available to the public. The card does not guarantee that any business will give you access though. You can get a ‘Just can’t wait card’ from their website, the digital version is free and the plastic card version costs just £2.95.

bladderandbowel.org

 

National Key Scheme (NKS) or otherwise known as the RADAR key scheme

The NKS offers disabled people independent access to locked public toilets around the country. You can find out more about this scheme, along with links to purchase an official key from Disability Rights UK using the link below.

news.motability.co.uk

You can buy an official RADAR key from the charity Disability Rights UK.

shop.disabilityrightsuk.org

 

Toilet Map UK

A very useful online map that allows you to search for toilets near you, handy if you go out at any point. You can even filter the search to find RADAR scheme toilets.

toiletmap.org.uk

 

Changing Places toilets

Standard accessible toilets do not meet the needs of all people with a disability. People with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well as people with other physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis often need extra equipment and space to allow them to use the toilets safely and comfortably. These needs are met by Changing Places toilets. The Changing Places consortium has overseen the birth of over 1700 of these toilets so far around the UK and is working hard for more to be developed ongoing. Their website explains more and also includes an interactive map which allows people to find these toilets, including information about access and opening times.

changing-places.org

For further information on how MS can impact the bladder and bowel, please download our Choices booklet. You can also order a hard copy that we can post to you.

ms-uk.org