Here at StopGap, we’re always excited to take part in conversations about accessibility. However, there are still many taboo topics that exist within the world of disability. One of these topics is something we all have to do every day – going to the bathroom. This everyday activity is more challenging for some of us than for others, and it can be really hard to talk about!
In Toronto, one of the biggest accessibility concerns we come across is businesses with washrooms that are in basements or are otherwise inaccessible. Bathroom renovations are expensive, and not a feasible solution for everyone. That’s why we often suggest that businesses team up with other members of their community who DO have an accessible bathroom, and build networks to share accessible spaces with their customers.
Unfortunately, it’s still a huge challenge for many people to find a bathroom they’re able to use, and this can significantly impact people’s ability to access spaces and participate fully in their communities. That’s why we’d like to introduce you to an incredible community member named Emma Pivato, who is tackling this obstacle in a brilliant and creative way.
Emma is an author, advocate and parent of Alexis. Alexis has complex physical disabilities that make it so even accessible washrooms aren’t accessible for her. This limits her ability to travel, which in turn makes it harder for her to participate fully in her community. To improve Alexis’s quality of life, Emma developed a wheelchair specifically to meet her daughter’s needs.
Alexis’s wheelchair has a built-in, discrete commode, as well as a lift system which allows for the changing of incontinence pads. Having access to this technology has improved Alexis’s quality of life immensely. Emma’s hope is that a wheelchair company will manufacture a version of this chair for mass production, so that more people are able to benefit from her work.
In order to garner interest from wheelchair designers and manufacturers, Emma is on a mission to demonstrate the need for this project. That’s why she, a published author of over ten books spanning from mystery to memoir, is looking to take on her next book project – a collection of stories highlighting disabled people who would benefit from this wheelchair design. Those who would like to share their experiences of struggling with bathroom access have the option of sharing their stories anonymously.
If this sounds like something you could help with, or you’d like to be featured in the book, get in touch with Emma at emmapivato2@gmail.com or https://www.emmapivato.ca/contact.
People with physical disabilities around bathroom use are in danger of being placed into care even if they would prefer not to; often, toileting is the issue that forces people into institutional care. Everyone deserves to be able to use the bathroom reliably, comfortably, and safely, so if you can help Emma in her mission in any way, get in touch! Submissions can be sent to Submissions can be sent to https://emmapivato.blogspot.
Thanks, Emma, for sharing your work with us, and for being an incredible accessibility advocate!