The Rodney Warmington Churchill Fellowship to increase accessibility to public toilets by researching taboos, design, policy and legal barriers

The toilet - WC, bathroom, restroom, loo, dunny, outhouse - is an essential piece of infrastructure for everybody regardless of location, race, gender, disability, and age. Its provision in public supports essential human functions. Toilets are a space where people expose their most vulnerable body parts in an effort to achieve health outcomes. In addition to eliminating bodily waste, people use toilets to administer essential medication, menstrual management, caring for young children, supporting others to use the facilities, finding a quiet place to rest, or accessing drinking water. In every country of the world, if provided, public toilets are spaces that are too often poorly designed or located, avoided if possible, perceived as dangerous, and are removed rather than improved because they are regarded as an expenditure and liability rather than a right. If a person or group of people is unable to locate, access or use a public toilet, their use and participation of the public space that the toilet is in is limited, therefore restricting their full involvement as a citizen. This report reflects conversations I had with community groups, advocates, local government, and industry in the United States of America, Canada, UK, Ireland, The Netherlands and Germany, exploring how they are developing innovative solutions to support inclusive and accessible public toilets. Ultimately the planning, provision and maintenance of public toilets supports the dignity, humanity and human rights of people and it is time to amplify the discussion in Australia. Keywords: Toilets, inclusion, accessibility, infrastructure, planning, design, public space, menstruation, partnerships. policy, legislation

Katherine was a 2020 Policy Impact Program participant and featured in the Policy Futures publication with her article We need to talk about public toilets: Policy agendas for inclusive suburbs and cities. Watch her presentation below. You can also watch all PIP presentations here.