Imagine if you lived with a lifelong
condition where you needed to go to the washroom between 5 and 20 times
a day
The GoHere Washroom Access Initiative is
an innovative program that increases washroom access for people living
with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or other medical conditions
related to incontinence. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada and our
organizational partners are proud to launch this program that encourages
businesses across Canada to open their washrooms and play an important
role in building accessible communities and improving lives.
GoHere has three components that help people
find washrooms when and where they need them:
GoHere Decal: Business washroom access, no questions asked
Participating businesses will be identified by
displaying the GoHere decal on their store front window. The decal
signals to people with incontinence that washrooms are open and
available, no questions asked. There is no cost to join, yet the
benefits to the whole community are transformational. Get your business
involved by applying for your decal today.
GoHere Washroom Finder App: So you know where to go, when you
have to go
The GoHere App helps people find the closest
available washroom, anywhere in Canada. You can add new locations, rate
and comment on existing ones, and even find washrooms en route to your
destination. It is available on iPhone, Android and Blackberry
TouchScreen.
A special feature of the GoHere App is the
personalized virtual washroom access card to show proof of medical need.
The card acts as a safeguard for people facing emergencies and needing
access to a location that has not yet joined the GoHere Decal program.
Washroom Access Can Transform Lives
By
increasing washroom access, we can help people living with Crohn’s,
colitis and other incontinence issues to break free from the anxiety,
fear and stress they face when leaving their homes. We want everyone to
have the opportunity to engage and thrive in their community.
If you see a shop displaying the GoHere decal, please take a moment to
thank them for being aware of these conditions and taking positive
action.
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative are lifelong
diseases that affect the digestive system and cause intestinal tissue to
become inflamed. Symptoms include diarrhea, internal bleeding, and pain,
and result in immediate and urgent need of washrooms.
A primary concern for the nearly 250,000
Canadians living with Crohn’s or colitis is accessing washrooms when
they are away from home. Faced with constant fear of a washroom
accident, some choose to stay at home and those that don’t must plan
their activities around washroom locations. Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
wants to reverse this isolation and help create communities that are
understanding and accessible.
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is investing in world-class research to find
cures, and is also dedicated to providing programs like GoHere to help
improve the lives of children and adults living with Crohn’s and
Colitis. To learn more visit
www.crohnsandcolitis.ca
GoHere would not be possible without the support
of our
partners.