FACILITIES enabling disabled adults to get changed are a human right, a campaigner has said.

A meeting was held at Rowleys Drive last week to discuss the lack of such facilities across Flintshire and North Wales.

Jan Thomas, Chief Officer at TheFDF - formerly disability forum, said: "If I want to go the toilet I will just go, I don't have to plan. The members we work with, the three things they talk about having problems with is toilets, transport and technology. It's a right not a need.

"This isn't going to be a quick fix. Me and Mark (Isherwood) campaigned for easier access to coastal paths and every obstacle was put in our way. Disabled people belong to families as well."

Kim Edwards, 32, of Gronant, started her 'Places to Change' campaign last year after she was left disappointed with the lack of toilet facilities. This meant disabled people were not able to have their basic human needs met.

She held the meeting to discuss how the campaign could move forward, and meet her hopes of getting a facility in every town across North Wales.

Ms Edwards, who was born with Friedreich's Ataxia, said she wants to see the correct toileting facilities which includes all equipment such as a hoist and changing bed so those with a disability can keep their independence and feel a sense of inclusion.

Friedreich's ataxia is a rare genetic disease that causes difficulty walking, a loss of sensation in the arms and legs, and impaired speech.

Lucy Powell, co-director for Flintshire Do It, said: "I believe changing places will enable people to go where they want. People have been removed from there communities because of a lack of facilities.

"We should help Kim do this so everyone is included. Things have got to be done a different way. It's archaic that they aren't available.

"We need to get town councils on board with this idea and get them to understand the importance of it.

"It could be argued these toilets are needed less than these facilities because I can go into a cafe. My sister, to get a day out, can only go to her day centre because that's the only place with a facility.

"Keep the momentum high. We need to do this from the grassroots and work upwards."

Attendees heard how the cost of a changing facility for disabled people would start at £10,000 which Jan Thomas said was cheap enough to do and would give disabled people their independence back.

She said too often they rely on day centres, but they are and dependence rather than independence.

It was suggested that the ideal areas for such a facility would be Mold and Broughton.

Mark Isherwood, AM for North Wales, said: "The positive news is Flintshire Executives are now talking about toilets. It's about broadening it so all needs are met.

"It's about focusing on elected members. I would urge people involved in the campaign to contact their local elected members

"It's not a cost, it's an investment. Things that currently cost public money wont be necessary because more people will have independence."

It was decided that a letter would be sent to town councils telling them about the campaign and why the facilities are important and will also include a break down of the costs.

The campaigners will also produce a video of live examples who struggle without the facilities.