Ann Healy
Ann Healy, Founder of Changing Places Ireland. In 1984 my daughter Ailis was born, little did I realise that I would devote the next 40 years to lobbying to improve life for her and others with disabilities. Ailis has Cerebral Palsy and is a wheelchair user. Back then services were dire – there was a severe shortage of physio therapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and also incontinence pads were rationed. I joined National Association for people with disabilities (NAMHI) – now called Inclusion Ireland. I had a Motion passed at the AGM that the Government would legislate for a Statement of Needs for every person with a disability which would form the basis for their individual service plan – this legislation was introduced but unfortunately without being rights based. I was an activist on a Parent’s Association for people with intellectual disabilities (PAM) – a small group of parents which campaigned for Rights not Charity. We organised meetings in the Mansion House and succeeded in putting disability on the political agenda. In 2008 I discovered Changing Places UK on the web and realised how toilets with a hoist and adult changing bench could open up a world of possibilities for people like Ailis who depend on a hoist to use the toilet. For a number of years I campaigned alone with some success including with Aras an Uachtarain, Dundrum Shopping Centre and Trinity College. In 2014 Inclusion Ireland offered their support and gradually the group grew to include more parents, people with disabilities, service providers and NGOs. The number of Changing Places Toilets continues to grow and following the example of the UK we succeeded in lobbying to have Part M of the Building Regulations amended to include Changing Places toilets in many public buildings. I am on the Wicklow County Council Disability and Inclusion Steering Committee which aims to make services provided by Wicklow County Council accessible to all.
I am also proud mother to daughter, Sinead, and grandmother to two wonderful granddaughters, Indie and Evie and I am a passionate gardener.
Lots done – more to do but hopefully I have played a small part in improving life for Ailis and other people with disabilities!
Aaron Daly
Aaron Daly, Changing Places Ireland. I became an advocate for changing places as our Daughter Sophia was born with cerebral palsy, is a wheelchair user and dependent on others for all aspects of daily living and activities. I was inspired by the UK campaign and pushed for Ireland to go along the same avenue and change part M of the building regulations. I was part of the department of housing working & technical groups that was successful in changing our regulations to include changing places Ireland facilities. I have been a disability advocate for many years & also a current member of the Dun Laoghaire Disability consultation group who help advise on local accessibility issues. I am proud of the campaign to date and am thankful for all the work that has gone into it from all of the people & organisations who have helped along the way. I look forward to the day when we won’t be restricted to where we can visit because of the lack of accessible facilities.
Aisling McNiffe
Aisling McNiffe, Changing Places Ireland. I live in Co. Kildare. I’m a single parent of two, Molly aged 20 and Jack aged 18. Jack has a severe/ profound intellectual disability, he has Down syndrome and a rare auto-inflammatory disease. He is a wheelchair user and requires 24 hour care. He is very medically complex. I’m a lone carer and an advocate for disability and health. I run some support groups for families and parents of children and adults with additional needs.
I have been involved in Changing Places Ireland since 2019. I got involved because I was so frustrated with the lack of appropriate toileting facilities for my son Jack. It greatly impacts our family and is very restrictive. Jack does not have the same opportunities to experience the world as people who do not have a physical disability. We want to ensure that going forward, people with disabilities have the same opportunity to access and enjoy the world by making sure that appropriate toilets are in public places.
Annette Monaghan
Annette Monaghan, Changing Places Ireland. I am from the wee County of Louth with a passion for advocating for people with disabilities. My son Jamie is 25 years young, a wheelchair user and, is a Seasoned worldwide traveller. During one of our travels abroad I gasped with excitement seeing the space within a Changing Places Toilet. Space is crucial for my son’s needs and I knew the importance of these facilities back home in Ireland. In 2016 I started a local campaign in my hometown Drogheda for Changing Places Toilets and joined Changing Places Ireland in early 2021. I am a member of disABILITY Louth since 2018 and held an officer’s position from 2021 to 2023.
I look forward to continuing to work with Changing Places Ireland so that users have access to specialist bathroom facilities and be able to use a toilet with comfort and dignity.