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Mary-Ellen Godfrey The class project of two Human Services students could change the way people with disabilities go to the washroom in public places. A Something Better project was done by second-year students, while the first-year students chose four projects they thought could be beneficial to the community. Saralie MacEwen and Jennifer Reeves, both in second year, made their presentation on Dec. 11, and invited Charlottetown businessman Danny Murphy to sit in and give them feedback. MacEwen and Reeves called their idea "The Neutral Washroom". It is equipped with a double changing table, and features a wheelchair-accessible sink and toilet. Everything about the washroom is meant to be accessible for a person with disabilities. There is another unique feature worth noting. The washroom is neutral, meaning that it is not specific to one gender. This allows someone to take a person of the opposite sex with a disability to the washroom without the complications that usually arise in a public place, a problem that becomes especially difficult with age. The idea, which both girls credit as being MacEwen's, came from their personal experiences surrounding the difficulty of accompanying someone of another gender to the washroom. Human Services learning manager Twilah Stone says when the students made their presentation to Murphy they tried to make it a sales pitch. "They worked really hard and presented extremely well to Mr. Murphy," she says. Apparently all the hard work paid off because when they were finished Murphy told them that he will be putting their idea into action in his renovation plans for the North River Road location of Tim Hortons. Although he already planned to redo the interior of the coffee shop, a neutral washroom was not part of his plans until MacEwen and Reeves' presentation. Changes should begin within the next couple of months. Stone adds the fact that Murphy is well known is an asset to the girls. "The fact that they have someone like Danny Murphy on this, on their side, makes a difference," she says. "I think this has the potential to spread to other businesses." The girls will be a part of the process, keeping in contact with Murphy, although they go on OJT in January. Both will be in Nova Scotia during that time and recognize the problem that could cause. "It's going to mean a lot of phone calls," Reeves says, her eyes shining. That doesn't bother these eager students. They are pretty amazed just to be a part of the whole thing. "He seemed to like the idea, which was a big shock to us," Reeves says. It is quite a feat for them since in the four years of the Something Better project, this is only the second that has transformed into something substantial. This is the first project for MacEwen and Reeves that has become a reality. And they seemed to be genuinely thrilled. "One of our dreams is to make changes," Reeves says. As for the possibilty of the neutral washroom becoming a standard for all restaurants, MacEwen and Reeves would like to see it happen, while Murphy says only time will tell what will happen. "Through trial and error is the only way to find out if this will work," he explained. Even if this idea goes no further than just one Tim Hortons, Stone says it will have made a difference and have been worth all the hard work. "This will enhance the quality of life, not only for students but for all people with disabilities," she says. "When you live with someone with a disability you notice these things." -
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