Why inclusive toilets?
The first steps toward inclusive toilets on campus were taken back in 2015. At that time, accessible toilets were opened up for use by anyone, regardless of gender identity. However, in practice, this did not prove to be a sufficient solution. Feedback from conversations, reports, and focus groups over the past years revealed that some toilet users feel uncomfortable or excluded by the current setup.
“It might seem like a small issue,” says a spokesperson for the project team. “But for years, students and staff have indicated that they sometimes feel excluded in the current situation. The university wants to be a place where everyone feels welcome – including in the restroom. But for some people, the toilet is a place of daily confrontation. For example, people who don’t identify with the existing male/female binary often have to make a difficult choice multiple times a day. This causes stress and discomfort.”
With the introduction of inclusive toilets, accessible toilets will again be fully available for people who need them. These larger facilities with additional features are necessary for a variety of users – such as individuals with physical disabilities or those who need extra facilities for hygienic reasons.
What will change?
Each building will have at least one inclusive toilet per three floors, ensuring one is always nearby.
The project spokesperson explains: “To make this happen, we assess each building individually to determine the necessary adjustments. These may include updating signage or adding features like privacy screens at urinals or a hygiene box within a toilet cubicle. Updated signage may feature clear pictograms indicating the type of toilet available, without specifying who should use it. This way, we ensure everyone feels free to use the facilities that suit them best.”
Deliberately, large-scale renovations are avoided. Replacing entire toilet areas can cost up to €100,000 per unit and has a significant ecological footprint – which doesn’t align with the university’s sustainability goals or its current financial situation. Importantly, the budget for this project was allocated before any recent cost-saving measures and comes from a reserved portion of the campus plan budget.
Is Radboud University just following a trend?
Adapting toilets so that everyone feels welcome is not a trend, but a step toward creating a more inclusive and accessible campus. For years, students and staff have reported feeling excluded by the current setup. The university aims to be a place where everyone feels welcome – including in the restroom.
Why are the adapted toilets referred to as ‘inclusive toilets’?
The term ‘inclusive toilets’ is primarily used during the project to make it clear which toilets are being adapted to make them more inclusive. Once the adaptations have been completed, this term will no longer be used to refer to specific toilets.
How are concerns being addressed?
The project team acknowledges that the topic raises questions for some. “Not everyone responded positively at first. In discussions, some people struggled to understand why this change was necessary. But hearing the lived experiences of others often changed their perspective. Dialogue leads to greater understanding.”
One common misconception about inclusive toilets is that they are less hygienic – but there’s no evidence for this. Cleaning frequency will remain the same. As always, toilet hygiene is a shared responsibility for all users.
Questions or feedback?
Do you have any questions or comments about the adaptations to the toilets? Please contact the project group at inclusion [at] ru.nl (inclusion[at]ru[dot]nl).
