Washrooms in Port Moody’s civic facilities will soon be listed in an app designed to help people suffering bowel diseases find the nearest place to "go."
At its meeting Tuesday, Jan. 9, council approved a recommendation from the city’s inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility committee that Port Moody participate in the GoHere Washroom Access Program launched by Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.
Councillors also tasked staff try to get the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce on board as well, so washroom facilities in private businesses can also be listed.
According to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, 300,000 Canadians live with the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease that can cause them to visit a washroom 20 or more times in a day.
“For these patients, improved washroom access in our communities is extremely important,” it said in a letter soliciting Port Moody’s support.
To help make it easier for people with bowel disease find washroom facilities quickly, the advocacy and support group developed the GoHere washroom locator app for iPhone and Android devices.
It also offers a virtual GoHere washroom access card as proof of medical need as well as window decals identifying washrooms available for urgent medical needs.
“The GoHere app’s goal is to identify washrooms in our communities that can be used, no questions asked,” said Crohn’s and Colitis Canada, adding more than 3,000 washrooms across Canada are now accessible through the app.
Last February, Coquitlam became the first city in British Columbia to register its washrooms in 36 facilities on the app.
“The experiences of people living with Crohn’s or Colitis, or other chronic illnesses, shines a light on this issue,” said Manisha Dutta, the city’s manager for equity, diversity and inclusion.
- with a file from Kyle Balzer, Tri-City News
