Ottawa, ON, October 30, 2019 – Crohn’s and Colitis Canada has partnered with the MS Society of Canada – Ottawa Chapter and GottaGo! Campaign to expand the impact of its GoHere Washroom Access Program in the Ottawa region.
Started in 2015, the GoHere program helps Canadians living with chronic diseases manage one of many challenging symptoms – the sudden and urgent need to access a washroom.
“Over 345,000 Canadians live with chronic diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or multiple sclerosis. Washroom facilities need to be readily accessible to improve quality of life for those living with these health conditions,” says Jason Singh, Manager Innovative Health Initiatives, Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. “Unfortunately, barriers to washroom access exist, which is why we created a program that incorporates support from the business community.”
Through the partnership, the three organizations will collaborate to lift those barriers in Ottawa by raising awareness amongst the business community about the GoHere program and the importance of washroom access, with an additional focus on those facilities that are accessible for those with mobility issues.
“We’re very excited to help get the word out about the GoHere program because it helps people break free from the anxiety, fear and stress they may face when leaving their homes and not knowing if they’ll be able to find a washroom in case of an urgent situation,” says Kristin Harold, the MS Society’s Regional Director for Eastern Ontario. “It’s also important for those with mobility issues to know if a washroom meets approved accessibility criteria to accommodate their wheelchair or walker.”
“Having a network of washroom facilities in our community that are accessible to people living with disabilities is important. We’re excited to partner with the GoHere program in Ottawa to raise awareness about the importance of washroom access and increase the number of washrooms available to the public,” states Bessa Whitmore, a member of the GottaGo! Campaign team.
Businesses registered with the program post a GoHere decal at an entrance or on a front-facing window. The decal indicates a washroom is readily available – no questions asked. An additional universal accessibility decal can be added if the space meets the criteria. The free GoHere Washroom Locator App, the program’s second component, enables community members to easily locate registered businesses. The app is available for download at
crohnsandcolitis.ca/gohere.
Businesses interested in registering with the GoHere program can contact Crohn's and Colitis Canada at
gohere@crohnsandcolitis.ca.
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About Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada is the only national, volunteer-based charity focused on finding the cures for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improving the lives of everyone impacted by these diseases. We are the world’s second largest health charity funder of Crohn’s and colitis research, and our patient programs and advocacy efforts support the people affected by these chronic autoimmune diseases, which cause the body to attack healthy tissue, leading to the inflammation of all or part of the gastrointestinal tract. Visit
crohnsandcolitis.ca for more information.
About multiple sclerosis and the MS Society of Canada
Canada has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world with 11 Canadians diagnosed with MS every day. MS is a chronic, often disabling disease of the central nervous system comprising the brain, spinal cord and optic nerve. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 49 and the unpredictable effects of the disease last for the rest of their lives. The MS Society provides programs and services for people with MS and their families, advocates for those living with MS, and funds research to help improve the quality of life for people living with MS and to ultimately find a cure for this disease. Please visit
mssociety.ca or call 1-800-268-7582 to make a donation or for more information.
Join the conversation and connect with the MS community online. Find the MS Society on
Twitter,
Instagram or like our page on
Facebook.
About The GottaGo! Campaign
The “GottaGo!” Campaign advocates for a network of easy-to-find, safe, accessible public toilets for persons of all abilities. This includes public toilets in parks, major transit stops and key public places to meet the needs of residents and tourists in Ottawa and in all cities and towns across Canada. Accessible toilets are an important public health issue and a key to sustainable cities.
For further information, go to our website:
www.Ottawapublictoilets.ca, our Facebook page, or contact us via email:
gottagocampaign@gmail.com