Electric wheelchair user unable to get inside disabled bathrooms at new Geelong Arts Centre

An electric wheelchair user has found a “serious” flaw at the new Geelong Arts Centre, saying the bathrooms for those with a disability are “inaccessible”.

Roger Napthine inside the new Geelong Arts Centre disabled toilets that are not accessible for all people. Picture: Alison Wynd

A Moolap man who uses an electric wheelchair says the bathrooms for those with a disability at the new $140m Geelong Arts Centre (GAC) are “inaccessible”.

Roger Napthine and his wife attended a community event to unveil the redevelopment on August 20.

The 75-year-old went to the disabled bathroom inside the centre but discovered it did not have an automated sliding door.

“There was a conventional up, down door handle,” he said.

“I had to push that down and then push the door open and hold it open while I got through.”

Mr Napthine is paralysed in his left arm, meaning he needs to use his right hand to operate his wheelchair.

This left him unable to get inside the bathroom without someone holding the door for him, he said.

“The door could have closed in on me,” he said.

Roger Napthine is unable to open the heavy door once inside the disabled toilets at the new Geelong Arts Centre. Picture: Alison Wynd

Mr Napthine said inside the bathroom was spacious and allowed for easy access to the amenities but “getting in and out was the problem”.

“The assumption appears to be that if you have a disability, you must be accompanied by a companion or a carer,” he said.

“If you look at the streets of Geelong, you will see a lot of people going past with a disability on their own.”

Mr Napthine claimed he encountered a similar issue at the GAC two years ago.

He alleged the door of the disabled bathroom closed on his electric wheelchair, causing mechanicial damage which the GAC paid to repair.

GAC chief executive officer Joel McGuinness said the re-design of the arts centre was “underpinned by a commitment to inclusivity, accessibility and the promotion of a culture that celebrates diversity”.

“The new centre features a range of accessible facilities including both accessible and changing places toilets to support people with a range of needs,” he said.

It’s understood that while the doors to the accessible toilets are not automated, they are complaint to Australian standards.

The centre also has a changing places toilet on the ground floor which has an automated door and enhanced features for people with high needs.

But, Mr Napthine said users need a key from staff to be able to access it and must be accompanied by another person.

Geelong disability advocate Jacqui Pierce. Picture: Mitch Bear

Geelong disability advocate Jacqui Pierce said people with a disability should not have rely on others to be able to access facilities simply because they weren’t designed them properly.

“Fully accessible toilets with automated doors are essential in all public places,” she said.

“It’s a fundamental human right that a person who uses a mobility aid has the same ability to access the facility as I do.

“It deeply saddens me that in Australia in 2023 we are still building public facilities that are not fully accessible.”

Mr Napthine said the issue of inaccessible bathrooms seemed to be a “universal” problem.

“Through practical experience over a number of years, I’ve found that many toilets are inaccessible, whether they are at private owned facilities like restaurants and theatres or council-owned facilities,” he said.

Originally published as Electric wheelchair user unable to get inside disabled bathrooms at new Geelong Arts Centre