A disabled access campaigner has slammed the lack of disabled changing areas in public toilets.
Suzanne McCloud urged residents to sign a petition to have 'Changing Places' toilets – which include hoists, a changing bench and extra space – introduced in the Dales.
Ms McCloud said: "I think it is a disgrace the council doesn't provide public toilets that meet the needs of local people with severe disabilities and their careers.
"People with profound and multiple learning disabilities need Changing Places toilets.
"Without them, carers are often forced to change their disabled loved ones on dirty toilet floors.
"The council has yet to install a Changing Places toilet.
"Carers have enough to contend with – let's not make their lives harder by denying them the right to basic public facilities", she added.
The Changing Places Consortium is working with Mencap to lobby the Government for better disabled toilets.
To learn more about their petition, go to
www.mencap.org.uk/changelives.
