The 'News' has launched a new campaign - Access All Areas - in a bid to improve access around Largs and surrounding area for disabled people, the elderly, mums with prams, and people with mobility problems.
Our campaign has been backed by Dr Paul Hart, the head of research and practice at Sense Scotland, and Zoe Maclean, who is involved with Canine Partners charity, and the North Ayrshire Access Panel. In Zoe's column this week, she makes a plea regarding keeping public conveniences open in North Ayrshire ... 
On a daily basis when out and about in the local area one basic facility we all need to access is a public toilet. Finding an accessible facility can be even more difficult when you have a disability.
I was shocked and disappointed to read last week of North Ayrshire Council plans to close the majority of public toilets by the end of July 2016, except for those in Largs,Saltcoats and Ardrossan. It is great to hear hear that the community of Millport are fighting to keep their local public toilet open.
It is difficult to understand how North Ayrshire as an a area which relies heavily on the tourism industry can survive without public toilets.
For many people with a variety of health conditions being close to an accessible toilet is a necessity rather than a choice. Unfortunately in many shops, cafes, and restaurants gaining access to the toilet can present a challenge all of its own. Some of the challenges customers may face include a lack of space.
For wheelchair users and people who use additional mobility equipment such as a walking frame or scooters a lack of space can make transfers to and from the toilet very difficult.
The position of equipment such as the sink in relation to the toilet and other equipment such as sanitary bins can make moving around an already small toilet very challenging. Also a lack of well positioned handrails makes moving around almost impossible.
All too often the red emergency cord can be found tied in knots behind the toilet way out of reach. people often do this for fear of pulling it by accident. In order to serve its purpose in an emergency the red cord needs to hang right down to the floor. This way it is within reach of anyone who may have fallen. The website www.euansguide.com can provide cards to attach to the red emergency cord to ensure it stays untied. The cards can be sent to anyone who needs them by contacting hello@euansguide.com
Changing places campaign - For many people who live with conditions such as Motor Neurone Disease, Multiple Sclerosis and Cerebral Palsy standard accessible toilets do not always fulfil their needs. The Changing Places campaign began in 2006 on behalf of 1/4 of a million disabled and older people across the UK who are unable to use standard accessible toilets. Changing Places toilets include; enough floor space for a disabled person and at least two assistants, an adult sized height adjustable changing bench, a celling track hoist, a centrally placed toilet with space either for assistants, a privacy screen, a large waste disposal bin for disposal bin for disposable pads, a wide paper roll to line the changing bench, a washbasin preferably adjustable height.
Having access to access to public toilet facilities is important for everyone not just older and disabled people. I ask North Ayrshire council to reconsider their inconceivable decision to close public toilets across North Ayrshire by the end of July 2016. For those toilets being kept open please consider the access needs of the whole community and make them accessible for all.
If you would like to support the changing places campaign and make a difference in your local area visit http://www.changing-places.org/ or phone 01382 385 154