It's time to talk about loos

Access to clean water and adequate sanitation have been a central part of development policy for many years. It is essential for anyone to live a healthy and productive life, and is a priority to lift people out of poverty. However, in spite of global efforts following the adoption of the Dublin Principles, 650 million people still do not have access to clean water and almost 2.3 billion do not have access to adequate sanitation.

Sadly, many are still excluded. By excluding people from accessible water and toilet facilities that can be used comfortably and with dignity by people with physical and sensory impairments are not widely available. Consequently, this is detrimental for the whole of society.

The cost of exclusion is high.  It exacerbates inequality within communities, increases risk of water-related diseases and malnutrition. Women and girls are particularly at risk of accident or violence when going to the toilet in the open air. Lack of water also means lack of access to livelihoods activities. For example, if schools do not have adequate sanitation design is a factor contributing to disabled dropping out of school, especially disabled girls.

WaterAid is one charity which is committed to ensuring access for all and breaking down the barriers that face disabled people on a day to day basis. Accessible toilets enable disabled people to be independent and lead healthier more dignified lives. By making a simple adaptation can make a world of difference allowing a disabled person to use a latrine rather than avoiding using the toilet or defecating in the open. An end to poor health which can exacerbate their economic and social position.

Installing a handrail next to a toilet seat mean not only disabled people benefit but also the wider community such as the elderly, sick people, children and pregnant women. WaterAid has worked across the world engaging with the local community and asking disabled people what they need. For example, in Mali, they have designed and developed low-cost adaptations for traditional African toilets. Wooden toilet seats are placed over the hole in the ground and PVC tubes direct waste into the toilet. Raised bricks next to the hole also allow visually impaired people to accurately guide the seat over the hole. WaterAid also chose a material which is lightweight and durable so it is easy to clean.

WaterAid is working to ensure disabled people are included in governments' water and sanitation sector policy monitoring. However, this needs to be a central part of all development agencies policy. We need to include disabled people and people with physical and sensory impairments to be part of discussions about what their needs are to ensure WASH programmes are successful.