Photo opportunity 7.30pm, Friday 21 November, Apex Hotel, City Quay, Dundee.
A group at the University of Dundee who work to improve life for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities is launching a fundraising drive to install a fully accessible toilet in their research unit.
PAMIS which stands for "Promoting a more inclusive society" is holding a toilet themed quiz night tomorrow in Dundee to raise money for the new loo.
Organiser of the quiz and Leisure Development Officer Kirsty Thomson explains: "PAMIS is aware of at least 150 people with profound and multiple learning disabilities in Tayside who are not able to use existing disabled toilets in Dundee. This means that they have to carefully consider every trip they make outside their homes. This excludes them from spending an afternoon in town or using the city's leisure facilities."
Currently families and carers have to change disabled people on the floors of public toilets because of the lack of proper facilities.
The solution is the installation of changing benches in accessible public toilets for people with disabilities. These benches are height adjustable and wall mounted so they can be folded away. Hoists are also needed to transfer individuals from the wheelchairs onto the changing bench or toilet.
"Changing places accessible loos for all" is a national campaign with the aim of ensuring that toilets for the disabled are made fully accessible. Over 70 national disability voluntary organisations are supporting the Dundee campaign.
As a model of best practice the PAMIS team want to install a fully accessible loo in their centre at the University of Dundee. The cost of the loo is £7,000. Friday's quiz night will contribute to the cost.
Contact Kirsty Thomson 01382 345154
Notes for Editors
PAMIS is a charity that works with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and their families and carers to improve their lifestyles. People with profound and multiple leaning disabilities have extreme physical disabilities, profound intellectual disability, sensory impairments, very complex medical needs and significant communication difficulties.
By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910 j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk