A new app makes it easier for people with medical conditions to quickly locate a public washroom, reads a new report from CBC.
The GoHere Washroom locator app was designed with people living with Crohn’s disease or Colitis, and it allows users to quickly search for and discover the closest public washroom. Crohn’’ and Colitis Canada created the GoHere program to improve quality of life for the one in 140 Canadians living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, the two main types of inflammatory bowel disease.
People living with these diseases experience a range of symptoms, including the urgent need to access a washroom at any given moment. The benefits of the program extend to individuals living with other health conditions as well.
“The City of Greater Sudbury is proud to partner with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada on this important initiative to make it easier for persons living with inflammatory bowel disease to locate our public washrooms,” said Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger. “Municipal libraries, beaches, the downtown Transit Centre and Tom Davies Square will appear on the Crohn’s and Colitis Canada Washroom Locator App. These locations will also display the GoHere decal to provide reassurance that individuals are welcome to use our public facilities.”
One of the most useful components of the app itself is a “personalized digital access card” that shows proof of medical need when requesting washroom access at a registered location.
Local businesses are encouraged to register their locations with the GoHere program, expanding the number of public restrooms that users have access to. The app has already launched in Toronto and Calgary to positive feedback.
“For our patient community, washroom access is a key lifestyle concern, which is why we created the GoHere program,” says Mina Mawani, President and CEO of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. “Our partnership with the City of Greater Sudbury will enable individuals living with these diseases to quickly identify and locate public washroom facilities throughout the community.”
Users can download the GoHere app for free, and it’s available for iPhone, Android, and Blackberry devices.
