Pol, 36, is from the Tampuen ethnic minority and used to work as a gem miner. When his legs were crushed in a rockfall he was left paralysed, unable to earn a living and support himself. Although Pol has a supportive family, he has had to face a whole host of problems and does not want to burden them. One of these obstacles was going to the toilet.

Toilets are not commonplace in his village in the remote north-east of Cambodia. Most people go to the nearby forest, which was particularly difficult for Pol and often dangerous. He admits that once he was almost bitten by a snake.

Any toilets that did exist in the village were not suitable for people with disabilities. "There were a lot of problems with the old toilet," Pol recounts. "It was 30 meters away from my house and during the rainy season I was unable to get up the stairs."

As part of its efforts to improve access to water and sanitation in the north-east of Cambodia, CARE Australia has constructed facilities such as community ponds and toilets. To ensure these benefit the most vulnerable, including those like Pol who are living with a disability, special consideration was made for how these are accessed.

The toilet constructed near Pol's home includes a ramp and handles. He is now able to access the toilet and move himself onto this from his wheelchair without requiring support.

"I am very thankful for the toilet. I can now go whenever I need to because there is a ramp and also it is easier for me to use because I can sit down rather than squat," he says.

He is relieved that he no longer needs to go to the forest to go to the toilet and feels less worried about being a burden to his family. Pol now feels he has a measure of independence and the disabled-access toilet has given him dignity.

These activities are part of WASH in Schools and Communities project, which is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).