Reality and Priorities 

The Equality Law 2010, requires that employers and service providers ensure that disabled people have equal access to facilities. In the US and UK, having a stoma is considered a disability. Unfortunately, the reality is that most toilets (including disabled ones) are NOT stoma friendly and making them so - is NOT a priority.  If you are worried about where and how you manage your bag, then this page offers practical tips to help you take control of your life when out and about. 

It does NOT cost a fortune to make any toilet stoma-friendly. This tip from an ostomate is practical and works for most toilets. 

1: Go buy cheap and cheerful suction and S hooks

Amazon (or your local hardware store) will supply these for less than the cost of a couple of drinks from your local "watering hole". You can also use 2 of these with a carrier-bag attached in a hammock configuration to create a shelf that will hold everything you need to change a bag.

2: Create a stoma-travel-kit

Providers (like Amazon, etc.) sell over-the-shoulder bags that you can use to hold all your stoma bag management products. If you have a dog, then poo-bags serve a dual purpose. Include suction and S hooks as part of this kit.

 3: Attach the suction and S hooks around you

Position the hooks such that you can attach your bags, etc. close to you. When you need to empty or change you bag, rather than 'take the knee' try sitting (the other way) facing the back of the loo.  Try with the seat up and /or down to determine what works best for you.

In the UK, the cost of a Doc M disabled toilet pack starts from around £400. If you are converting an existing commercial loo, then add some £2-3,000 labour costs. If you are creating a new disabled facility, the costs rise depending on what needs to be done with the soil / waste stack and what plumbing, etc. is required. 

The cost of making an existing toilet (normal or disabled) is minimal. These are the 4 basic components required:

1. A narrow shelf and supporting brackets: £15

2. A hook on the shelf: £2

3. A hook on the back of the door: £2

4. A laminated stoma friendly sign for the wall / door: £2

Installation should take less that 1 hour, which will also minimise labour costs. 

The cost of converting a existing toilet is minimal and can make an ostomates life more comfortable.