This year in Learning Disability Week (June 22-28) Poole Forum, a self advocacy organisation for people with learning disabilities and difficulties, is supporting the Mencap campaign Changing Places, Changing Lives.

Many thousands of disabled people and their families are denied the right to do everyday things because of a lack of a changing places toilet, which is different to a standard accessible toilet.

It is a large room equipped with an adjustable changing bench and a hoist to allow people to use the toilet with assistance or to have their continence pads changed. There are around 78 changing places toilets in the UK, however the nearest to Poole at present is at Moors Valley Country Park.

Without access to changing places toilets some families have to change their disabled family members on toilet floors or are forced to stay at home. This is unacceptable.

Please come and visit our stand in the Dolphin Centre tomorrow and Thursday, sign our petition and find out what you can do to support us. For more information please contact me on 01202 746040 or email pooleforum@msn.com.

Karen Rampton, manager, Poole Forum