UK Parliament home

Open Mandate paper towels in public toilets for sensory-sensitive people

Created by Denise Ann Dack
Closes on

Require public toilets (including shops, restaurants, and public buildings) to provide paper hand towels as an accessible alternative to electric dryers. This could support proper hand drying and hygiene for people with sensory sensitivities, such as autistic individuals distressed by dryer noise.

Electric hand dryers terrify some autistic children. They can cause them to panic, cry, cover their ears and wipe their wet hands on their clothes. Autism affects 1 in 100 people in the UK; many with noise sensitivities avoid toilets or outings. We think paper hand towels as a quiet alternative are simple, low-cost and effective. They can reduce anxiety, and make public spaces inclusive for autistic children and adults.

Sign this petition

77 signatures

Show on a map

10,000

Petition progress

View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.

  • Petition published

    This petition can now be signed.

    If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

    If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

    This petition will stay open until 26 August 2026.