Africa Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Nov - Dec Vol. 9 No.6 | Page 27

Sanitation It is easier to empty the above ground faeces vaults of these toilets than the pits of pit latrines. There is also no need to relocate toilets when pits are full and cannot be emptied. This results in less dependence on outside help. This type of UDDT is accessible directly from the ground level and does not require access steps or ramps unlike conventional raised UDDTs. (CBM, 2008). Often it is sufficient if a certain percentage – and at least one toilet – is fully accessible. Suggestion for innovative, accessible toilet design: bench UDDT One dry toilet technology, which might have interesting benefits for people with disabilities compared to conventional pit latrines, is the urine diversion dehydration toilet (UDDT) in the ‘bench style’. 400 double vault bench UDDTs have been built in and around Lima, Peru for approximately 2,000 users as part of a public-private partnership between GIZ Peru and Rotaria del Peru. This toilet type has a wide, spacious bench or box, covering both faeces chambers, into which two urine diversion toilet seats are integrated. This and other innovative and accessible toilet options, which can be easily adapted to the needs of individuals, have to be explored further. Mobile sanitation systems are an interesting option, for example unisex waterless urinals for urination only (see photo on first page). References and recommended reading CBM (2008) Promoting access to the built environment, Christoffel Blindenmission, Germany, http://www.cbm.org/article/downloads/54741/CB M_Accessibility_Manual_April_09dis.pdf GTZ (2010) Disability and development cooperation – 10 facts or fallacies?, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, Germany, http://www.gtz.de/de/dokumente/gtz20100477en-disability-development.pdf Figure 2: Double vault bench UDDT in Lima, Peru with a waterless urinal and wide bench UDDT on the right. It could be easily adapted for users with disabilities e.g. by adding handrails and allowing more space (source: H. Hoffmann, 2010). Bench UDDTs have particular accessibility advantages (for further details on this technology, see www.susana.org/library?search=UDDT): Due to urine separation, no flush water and the toilet’s ventilation system, the faeces dry out quickly, leaving no odour. The toilet can therefore be located indoors and even on any level of the house, reducing long walking distances. The bench is sturdier than a chair or commode over a pit latrine. The wide bench provides space for an assistant if needed, and handrails can easily be fixed next to the toilet. Handicap International (2008) How to build an accessible environment in developing countries: Manual 2 Access to water and sanitation facilities, Part 1: Toilets and closed showers, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, http://www.handicapinternational.org.uk/resources/library/publications Jones, H. and Reed, R. A. (2005) Water and sanitation for disabled people and other vulnerable groups: Designing services to improve accessibility. WEDC, Loughborough University, UK. http://wedc.Lboro.ac.uk/wsdp © Credits for first page header from left to right: Photos: SuSan Design (E. Sindani), Rotaria del Peru (H. Hoffmann), Toilettes Du Monde (B. Berne). Graphics: Go-vernment of Tanzania (R. Mbago). More photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gtzecosan/collections/7 2157626218080958/ The input of Miriam Wagner (GIZ), Christian Rieck (GIZ), Thilo Panzerbieter (GTO), Sarah House, Hazel Jones (WEDC), Heike Hoffmann (Rotaria) and Jörg Beck is gratefully acknowledged Imprint: Contact: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Dr. Elisabeth von Münch Ingar Düring Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH Sustainable sanitation – ecosan Persons with Disabilities Initiative Dag-Hammarskjöld-Weg 1-5 E [email protected] E [email protected] 65760 Eschborn, Germany (www.giz.de) Date: 1 August 2011