The City of Stratford joins Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s GoHere Washroom Access Program

Go Here program logo
Washroom access improves as the City of Stratford opens its washroom facilities to the public
 
Stratford, ON, May 22, 2018 – The City of Stratford demonstrated its commitment to accessibility for people living, working and visiting the community as it proudly registered for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s innovative GoHere Washroom Access Program.

The GoHere program improves washroom access in Canadian communities as it involves businesses, government buildings and other organizations opening washroom facilities to the public. The addresses of registered locations are available on the GoHere Washroom Locator App and a GoHere decal is displayed on either the window or door of a registered location. The GoHere app also features the GoHere Washroom Access Card which acts as a safeguard for individuals requesting access to a washroom at a location registered for the GoHere program or even at a location which has yet to sign on.

“We’re always looking for ways to remove barriers and make our community more accessible,” said City of Stratford Mayor Dan Mathieson, “so it made sense to collaborate with Crohn’s and Colitis Canada to register the City’s washroom facilities for the GoHere program.”

Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s GoHere app now includes access to over 30 of the City of Stratford’s washroom facilities at 14 different locations in the community. The addition of these new locations to the GoHere program means improving quality of life for those living with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, which are the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn’s and colitis are autoimmune diseases which cause the body to attack healthy tissue, leading to the inflammation of all or part of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, fatigue, internal bleeding, and frequent and urgent bowel movements, in some cases over 20 times a day. The GoHere program, proudly supported by Takeda Canada since the program’s launch in 2015, helps create understanding, supportive and accessible communities for the nearly 250,000 Canadians taking on Crohn’s, colitis or other health conditions which may cause incontinence.

“We are very pleased to have the City of Stratford work in collaboration with us to improve washroom access in their community,” said Mina Mawani, President and CEO of Crohn’s and Colitis Canada. ”I encourage other cities across the country to follow the City of Stratford’s footsteps by demonstrating leadership when it comes to improving washroom access and raising awareness for such an important cause.”

Local businesses are encouraged to follow the City of Stratford’s lead by registering for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada’s GoHere program. Business owners can learn more about the GoHere program and register their business by visiting go-here.ca.

About the City of Stratford

Stratford is a city of 32,000 in the heart of southwestern Ontario, rich in culture, with a thriving tourism industry highlighting a diverse economy where arts, industry, technology and innovation come together. Stratford’s vision of being the best city to live, work and play is built on a foundation of environmental health, social well-being and business prosperity.

About Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis

Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – are autoimmune diseases that cause the body to attack healthy tissue, leading to the inflammation of all or part of the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include abdominal pain, cramping, fatigue, internal bleeding, and frequent and urgent bowel movements, in some cases over 20 times a day. Canada has some of the highest incidence rates of Crohn’s and colitis in the world, with approximately 250,000 people diagnosed. One Canadian is newly diagnosed with Crohn’s or colitis every hour.

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 children and adults affected by these diseases. We are one of the top two health charity funders of Crohn’s and colitis research in the world, investing over $115 million in research to date. We are transforming the lives of people affected by Crohn’s and colitis (the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease) through research, patient programs, advocacy, and awareness. Please visit www.crohnsandcolitis.ca for more information.
 
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For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
 
Rasheed Clarke
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Crohn’s and Colitis Canada
1-800-387-1479 ext. 215
rclarke@crohnsandcolitis.ca

Mike Beitz
City of Stratford
Corporate Communications Lead
519-271-0250 ext. 372
mbeitz@stratford.ca

  • Canada has among the highest incidence rates of Crohn's and colitis in the world.
  • 1 in 140 Canadians lives with Crohn’s or colitis.
  • Families new to Canada are developing these diseases for the first time.
  • Incidence of Crohn’s in Canadian kids under 10 has doubled since 1995.
  • People are most commonly diagnosed before age 30.

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