Disabled boy, 11, sues Cornwall theme park over 'lack of a suitable toilet'

A severely disabled boy is suing a theme park for failing to provide a suitable toilet.

Adam George, 11, claims Flambards Theme Park, in Cornwall, discriminated against him by failing to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act.

According to the BBC, Adam, from Redruth in Cornwall, was born with a genetic condition that weakens his muscles, affects his speech and makes him a full-time wheelchair user. He also has autism.

In order to use the toilet Adam has to be hoisted onto a table, then on to the toilet.

But while Flambards does have a number of disabled toilets in place, the family say it does not have a toilet with changing facilities suitable for Adam's needs

His mother, Rachel, told the BBC: "He loves rides. He loves things that go up and down and move him suddenly.

"He can't climb, he can't walk, he can't jump, he can't run, so all of the physical sensations that are well known to be vital to a child's developments are out of Adam's bounds, so a theme park enables him to have so many of those vital experiences."

Richard Smith, general manager at Flambards, responded: "Inclusivity is important to us to make sure that everyone has access to our park and the rides.

"However, there is an overall cost to put in a full-on changing places unit, and we've been quoted in excess of £40,000. That would have an effect on jobs possibly.

"We're getting feedback from the disabled community on what's working and what's not, so we can carry on developing the structures we have in place."

As an interim measure, Flambards has installed a mobile hoist and a changing bed in an existing disabled toilet.