The AYL team recently visited the Kidz to Adultz North Exhibition at EventCity in Manchester, an event hosted by Disabled Living. This exhibition showcases over 100 exhibitors, including organisations, charities, services, and products designed to support adults and children living with disabilities. It truly serves as a
“one-stop shop for the most up-to-date advice and information on mobility, funding, seating, beds, communication, sensory, transition, education, housing, employment, accessible vehicles, transport, style, sports, leisure, and much, much more!”
One of the first organisations we encountered was Mobiloo, which provides mobile accessible toilets for hire, complete with a changing bench and hoist. Having attended numerous events with inadequate facilities for guests with disabilities, I was particularly impressed to see their accessible van in person after reading so many positive online reviews.
Many people are unaware that standard accessible toilets are only suitable for individuals who can transfer out of a wheelchair and physically sit on a toilet, either with or without assistance. This limitation puts anyone unable to do so at risk of injury and infection when using public facilities, as they may be manually lifted out of their wheelchair and laid onto the floor of a toilet cubicle.
Unfortunately, toilets with Changing Places facilities are rare, which is why Mobiloo was created. Initially developed by Active Impact to provide adequate toilet facilities during activity breaks and school trips for children with disabilities, Mobiloo has expanded due to growing demand and now operates over 10 vehicles across Britain.
Hiring a Mobiloo van is an excellent way for event organisers to ensure their facilities are as inclusive as possible, while also eliminating bathroom-related hassle and stress for guests. I personally would have greatly appreciated such a service during a Little Mix concert at the Kent County Showground earlier this year. The venue’s size, large crowds, and rough terrain made it very difficult for guests with disabilities to move around safely. There was only one accessible toilet located next to the accessible viewing area, which resulted in long queues and the use of a filthy portable toilet. Despite the disabled sign on the front, my carer, my wheelchair, and I could not even fit inside. Due to these poor facilities, a young girl sitting near me was forced to leave halfway through the concert, which is unacceptable. No one should be forced to leave an event simply because there are no facilities for their carer to change them safely. Like many others, I provided feedback to the event holder but have yet to receive a response. I sincerely hope they consider hiring a Mobiloo van in the future to prevent similar situations.
For shorter bookings, Mobiloo vans are self-sufficient, requiring no external access to electricity, water, or waste disposal. They also provide a friendly attendant to assist guests and maintain the cleanliness of the van. While their hire costs are very reasonable, their primary mission is to make as many events and venues as accessible as possible. This commitment means they will offer their services for free under certain circumstances. Therefore, I highly recommend contacting them if you are looking to make an event or venue inclusive, or if you simply wish to learn more.
Useful links:
www.facebook.com/mobiloouk
https://x.com/MobilooUK
mobiloo
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