Cornwall mother: 'Some disabled people matter less than others' as she fights for better public toilets

A mother from Cornwall is campaigning for fully accessible public toilets to help her disabled son and thousands of others. Credit: ITV West Country

A mother who says her son has faced discrimination when he could not use an adapted toilet while out and about is calling for better facilities.

More than a quarter of a million people nationwide cannot use standard accessible toilets, according to a campaigning group.

The Changing Places campaign is calling for better public toilet facilities for disabled people across the West Country.

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Roughly one in 260 people in the UK need specialist equipment when going to the toilet.

Without these facilities, people are unable to enjoy days out with family and friends at local attractions.

Fully accessible toilets would benefit those with profound and multiple learning disabilities, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. They would also benefit older people.

Rachel George is a Changing Places campaigner and has experienced these challenges with son Adam.

She told ITV News: "There are some people who have been changing children and adults in the back of a car, behind bushes and on toilet floors, horrible horrible things are happening to people all over the country."

Specialist equipment in public toilets could change the lives of over a quarter of a million people in the UK. Credit: ITV West Country

The Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall is one of the first attractions in the region to install these 'Changing Places'.

Their new toilet has an adjustable sink, a changing mat and a moveable hoist.

Several businesses approached by the campaign have ignored their appeal.

According to Rachel, this sends the message that "some disabled people matter less than others" and that "there is no place in their business, in their location" for her son and other disabled people.