Maritime Museum shows the way

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Thanks to the generous support of Classic Cottages, the Falmouth-based museum has just installed the RoomMate from ADi Access in its disabled access toilet.

The electronic wall-mounted device uses a bespoke audio recording to describe the layout of the room to the user, detailing fixtures and fittings and enabling them to use it independently.

Designed by mobility and orientation specialist Helen Kemp, whose husband Steve is registered blind, the device has already been rolled out to several other organisations since the idea’s conception in January 2014.

She said: “People think a disabled toilet should be usable for any disabled person, but quite simply many are difficult for visually impaired people to use.

“It’s not only the layout of toilets which differ, but also the fittings – taps can be turned, pushed, pulled or waved on to work, and it’s the same for flushes and hand dryers. This RoomMate and its function gives autonomy and dignity to everyone who needs to use the toilet.

“I can’t believe something like this hasn’t been invented before and I’m delighted that it’s being installed at National Maritime Museum Cornwall.”