If you're organising an event, running a construction site, or planning any temporary gathering , there's one thing that's easy to overlook until the last minute: accessible toilet provision. Standard portaloos simply don't work for everyone, and that's where disabled portable toilets come in. At K & S Toilets, we get asked about this more than almost anything else, so we've put together this guide to walk you through what a portable toilet for disabled person use actually involves, what the law says, and how to work out what you need.

What Is a Disabled Portable Toilet?

A disabled portable toilet, sometimes called an accessible portaloo, is a purpose-built unit designed for people with mobility issues, wheelchair users, and anyone who needs extra space or support to use the toilet safely. Unlike a standard portable toilet, these units are larger, have step-free entry, and include features like handrails and non-slip flooring. They're built to give people the same independence and dignity as anyone else, whether that's at a festival, a wedding, or a busy construction site.

Key Features of a Disabled Portable Toilet 

Not every portable toilet with a bit of extra space counts as genuinely accessible. Our own Easy Access Disabled Toilets are built around these standards, and there are a handful of features that separate a proper disabled portaloo from a standard unit with the door taken off:

• Step-free, ground-level access - no ramp needed, and no awkward lip to navigate at the door
• A wide, spring-loaded door that's easy to open one-handed and swings clear of the entrance
• A spacious interior, big enough for a wheelchair to turn in, and often room for a carer as well
• Internal grab rails and handrails positioned to help with transfers and standing
• Non-slip flooring, which matters a lot more than people realise once weather's involved
• A higher toilet seat, making it easier to sit and stand without straining
• Hand sanitiser (and sometimes baby-change facilities), depending on the unit

If a supplier can't tell you specifically which of these features their "disabled" unit includes, it's worth asking more questions before you book.

Do You Legally Need to Provide Disabled Toilets?

This is a question we get asked a lot, and the honest answer is: it depends on what you're running, but in most cases, yes, you should be providing accessible facilities. Under the Equality Act 2010, event organisers, employers, and site operators have a duty to make reasonable adjustments so that disabled people aren't put at a disadvantage compared to everyone else. Toilet access is one of the clearest, most practical examples of this in action.

For construction sites, this sits alongside general welfare obligations under health and safety regulations - if there's any chance a disabled worker, visitor, or contractor could be on site, accessible facilities need to be part of the plan, not an afterthought. For public events, the expectation is similar: if you're inviting the public, you need to plan for the full range of people who might attend, not just the average case.

We're not solicitors, and this isn't a substitute for proper legal advice if you're unsure about your specific obligations - but as a general rule, if members of the public or your workforce will be on site, accessible toilet hire should be built into your planning from day one, not added on as an extra once someone asks. Our factsheets page has more detail on unit specifications if you need something to reference when putting together a welfare or accessibility plan.

Standard Accessible Units vs. Changing Places Toilets

Most people searching for disabled portable toilets are thinking of the standard accessible unit - bigger than average, step-free, with grab rails and enough room for a wheelchair and a carer. That covers the vast majority of events and sites.

There's a separate category worth knowing about, though: Changing Places toilets. These are designed for people with more complex or high-dependency needs, often including a height-adjustable changing bench, a hoist, and enough space for two carers to assist at once. They're a different specification entirely and tend to be used for larger public events or venues with a legal or reputational reason to provide the highest level of accessibility.

Knowing the difference matters because ordering a standard accessible unit when you actually need Changing Places provision - or vice versa - can leave people without the facilities they genuinely need on the day.

How Many Disabled Toilets Do You Need?

There's no single rule that covers every situation, but a commonly used guideline for public events is to provide at least one accessible toilet for roughly every ten standard units. That's a starting point, not a ceiling - a few things push the number up:

• How long the event runs. A single-day fair needs less provision than a three-day festival.
• The nature of your audience. A family fun day, a county show, or an event specifically marketed to older attendees will typically need more accessible units than a young, mobile crowd.
• Site layout. If your accessible toilets are spread across a large site, you'll need more of them so nobody has to travel a long way to reach one.
• Construction site headcount. Even a single disabled worker or regular visitor on site means you need at least one properly accessible unit, positioned somewhere they can actually reach it.

If you're not sure where to start, it's worth giving us a call - we'll talk through your event or site and help you land on a sensible number rather than guessing.

Where Disabled Portable Toilets Get Used

Accessible portable toilets aren't just for large public events. We supply them across a wide range of settings, including:

• Festivals and outdoor events, where crowds and distance from fixed facilities make accessibility planning essential
• Weddings and private parties, especially where older relatives or guests with mobility needs will be attending
• Construction and building sites, to meet welfare obligations for the whole workforce
• Sports days and county shows, which tend to draw a broad mix of attendees
• Agricultural and community events across Rhayader, Knighton, Welshpool, Brecon, Kington, and the rest of Powys

Wherever people are gathering, accessibility should be part of the plan rather than a last-minute add-on.

Why Choose K & S Toilets for Disabled Portable Toilet Hire

We've been supplying portable toilets across Mid Wales for a long time now, and disabled toilet hire has always been part of that - not a token extra tacked on to keep up appearances. Our units are cleaned and checked properly before every hire, and because we're a smaller, local company, you'll actually be able to speak to someone who knows your area and your event, rather than working through a call centre.

A few things that matter to our customers:

• Local knowledge. We know the sites, the access roads, and the logistics of delivering across rural Powys.
• No hidden costs. The price we quote is the price you pay.
• Reliable delivery. If we say we'll be there by a certain time, we will be.
• A personal service, from your first enquiry right through to collection.

Take a look at our Easy Access Disabled Toilets page for more on the specific units we offer, or get in touch directly if you'd rather talk it through.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a disabled portable toilet called?

You'll see it referred to as a disabled portaloo, an accessible portable toilet, or disabled portable toilet hire - they all describe the same type of unit, built with step-free access and extra space for wheelchair users.

How much does disabled portaloo hire cost? 

Pricing depends on hire duration, location, and how many units you need. Get in touch with us directly for an accurate quote for your event or site - we don't believe in vague pricing or hidden extras.

How much space do you need for a disabled portable toilet? 

Accessible units are larger than standard portaloos, so they need a flat, stable base with enough clearance for the door to open fully and, ideally, easy access for delivery.

Can a carer use the toilet alongside the disabled person? 

Yes. Our accessible units are designed with enough interior space for a wheelchair user and a carer to use the facility together where needed.

How long can I hire a disabled portable toilet for? 

We offer both short-term hire for one-off events and longer-term hire for construction sites or ongoing projects, with servicing arranged to suit the length of your hire.

Get in Touch

If you're planning an event or managing a site anywhere and need reliable disabled portable toilet hire, we're happy to help you work out exactly what you need.

Call us on 01597 811 177 or email info@kandsltd.com to get your quote.