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A severely disabled UK boy is suing his favourite theme park for not providing him with a suitable “changing places” toilet.

Adam George, 11, was born with a genetic condition that weakens his muscles, leaving him confined to a wheelchair, reports Yahoo 7.

He requires a changing places toilet that includes specialist equipment – something that Flambards Theme Park in Cornwall does not provide.

Adam, from Redruth, Cornwall, now claims that the park has failed to make suitable adjustments for him and is doing them for discrimination under the Equality Act.

His mother, Rachel, told the BBC: “A place like Flambards, a theme park, where they expect people to arrive in the morning, stay all day, eat, drink, stay late for the fireworks show, I personally think it reasonable that I can use the toilet when I go there”.

“So why shouldn’t Adam? Why shouldn’t all disabled people be able to have their toileting needs met with dignity and safety?”

The Georges’ solicitor, Chris Fry, of Fry Law, said: “Adam’s growing up in a more inclusive culture where disabled people quite rightly expect more for their money – if a venue advertises itself as accessible then it really should be fully accessible”.

Do you think theme parks and other businesses need to be more inclusive?

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  • People will sue at the drop of a hat nowadays. How will suing the theme park change conditions there? It will only benefit this boy, pretty sure his parents are pushing for this

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  • I’d like to know whether the equipment is specific to Adam or whether it would also assist oters.

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  • It would be hard to organise outings with those sorts of needs. This might just be the result of being sick of not being able to go anywhere.

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  • Oh wow ! To be honest suing the park sounds unreasonable in my opinion in that case !

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  • Just checked the website and it does have Disabled toilet facilities.
    https://www.flambards.co.uk/disabled-access
    “One of these toilets contains a full height adjustable, medical changing bed. In addition to this, we have a hoist available on request as it needs to be kept on charge so it is operational when required.”

    So the complaint is the disabled facilities do not have the equipment for HIS specific condition. I don’t think suing the park under discrimination laws would go anywhere.

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  • Pretty sure it’s not the boy who is suing the park. What will he do if he wins a pay out? Use the money to put this specialised changing facility put in at the park? I somehow think not. Another thing to consider is the cost to the park of installing this facility. It’s not fair to expect them to break themselves financially just for 1 little boy. It seems to me this facility isn’t your average disabled toilet

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  • We do have these here at theme parks it’s strange that a country like the UK doesn’t have facilities like that


    • We have quite good facilities in Australia!

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  • Absolutely! There should be toilet facilities for all members of the community – it is a basic need. All venues and facilities need to be inclusive. I am not keen on suing – but for these places to meet the criteria for inclusiveness.

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  • I agree that if a venue advertises itself as accessible then it should be accessible in particular for wheelchairs. A toilet with wheelchair access should be present, but if it should have individual special equipment ? There are many types of disabilities, each with their own needs. It would be impossible to meet these all !

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  • Where do you draw the line? It’s hard to try and accomodate everyone’s individual needs. Especially if each person requires their own ‘specialist’ equipment. All the theme park can do is provide some basic services.

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  • Why are they complaining about this now if it’s his favourite theme park?

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  • What is a changing places toilet and what is the specialist equipment? Impossible to have an opinion without the information. Maybe the specialty equipment is worth millions and cannot be afforded.

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  • I do think there should be adequate toilet facilities for everyone.

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