GoHere™ Washroom Access Program

The GoHere Washroom Access Program was developed by Crohn's and Colitis Canada to improve washroom access for those with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

GoHere has three components that help people find washrooms when and where they need them: 

1. 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.
2. The GoHere Washroom Locator App helps people map out washrooms along a route, anywhere in Canada. The GoHere app is available on iPhone, Android and Blackberry TouchScreen.
3. The GoHere Washroom Access Card shows 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 program. It is available virtually on the GoHere app or one can download the print version from the Washroom Access Card page.

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis cause ulceration and bleeding within the gastrointestinal tract. This, in turn, causes pain, cramping and diarrhea. People with Crohn’s or colitis can experience a sudden urge to use the washroom, from 5 up to 20 or more times in a single day.

Many people end up staying close to home if they aren’t certain of finding a washroom when they need it. This causes significant social isolation. 44% of people with Crohn’s or colitis report having had an accident in public because they could not access a washroom.

There are many more individuals who benefit from increased washroom accessibility. These include individuals with various conditions that cause incontinence issues, such as certain neurological disorders and forms of cancer. Seniors, pregnant women and young children are groups who also benefit from the GoHere program.  

 

This is an opportunity for businesses to give back to their communities. The GoHere program allows businesses to demonstrate that they contribute to creating a safe, friendly and accessible community. Participation enables 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. All businesses who join the GoHere program are featured on the GoHere app. 

You may join our program and request a decal by filling out our registration form, which can be found on the main page.

The GoHere app is located on the following app stores for download:

iPhone (IOS)

Android (Google Play)

Blackberry Touchscreen (Blackberry App World)

 

The Washroom Access Card is used 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. It is available virtually on the GoHere app, or one can download and print a paper copy from the "Washroom Access Card" page.

Please note: we hope that all businesses recognize medical urgency. However, the card is not a legitimate government issued I.D.. Therefore, it may not guarantee access to all washrooms. Business staff may still refuse access.