Inclusive, single-user washrooms introduced at U of L campus

trevor.kenney — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 15:59:34 +0000

In its continuing efforts to create safe, accessible and inclusive learning and working environments for students, staff and faculty, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has created 10 single-user inclusive washrooms on campus.

The washrooms provide additional privacy and accessibility to all individuals. These washrooms are wheelchair accessible, include proper medical waste (needles) disposal bins, and in some instances baby-change tables.

Signage for the new inclusive washrooms.

“Access to gender-neutral inclusive washrooms provides privacy and safety for all individuals,” say Carly Adams, Past Chair of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Faculty Association Gender, Equity and Diversity Caucus.

“These spaces will benefit those requiring additional privacy, which may include individuals who do not identify as male or female, people with disabilities who have personal care attendants, parents with children, people with chronic illness or other health needs and people washing before prayer.”

Other Canadian post-secondary institutions have undertaken similar initiatives.

The 10 single-user inclusive washrooms are located across campus. Three washrooms are in the 1^st Choice Savings Centre (physical education building) while Anderson Hall, Exploration Place (CCBN) and the LINC building house two each. The final washroom is located in the Fine Arts building.

“These washrooms will serve many needs of our diverse student body and are an important element of an accessible and inclusive campus,” says Danika Jorgensen, a co-coordinator of the Campus Women’s Centre, which also played a key role in this initiative.

The washrooms are identifiable with gender-neutral signage.

Federal funding spurs gender-based violence project

trevor.kenney — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 18:15:04 +0000

The Government of Canada Status of Women is funding a $195,892 project at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, part of a nearly $4 million investment nationwide, designed to implement mechanisms for preventing gender-based violence on campus.

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, YWCA Lethbridge and District and the Sexual Violence Action Committee will collaborate on the project, one of 23 such initiatives being funded across the country.

"There is no place in our society for incidents of violence against women," says Jim Hillyer, Member of Parliament for the Lethbridge Constituency. "Our government is committed to providing the means necessary to create safe and inclusive communities across the country, and that begins by giving our students the opportunity to pursue their educational goals in a secure environment, with the support services they need to be successful."

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge continues to prioritize the creation of a healthy, supportive and collaborative environment for its students, and by working with partners such as the YWCA and the Sexual Violence Action Committee, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ further strengthens its connection to the southern Alberta community.

"This is an outstanding initiative that speaks to the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's ongoing efforts to offer its students a safe and supportive campus atmosphere," says Judith Lapadat, the U of L's associate vice-president (students). "What's more is that this project is another example of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ working with community groups for the betterment, not only of our campus experience, but of society as a whole."

The project will be largely student driven and is designed to augment the U of L's already existing student services, promoting additional safety mechanisms and, most importantly, engaging the student population in an ongoing campaign of awareness and education about gender-based violence.

"We haven't yet determined the scope of the project because the direction for this must come from the students and the priorities that they identify," says Lapadat.

A safety audit of campus to determine areas of need related to risks associated with gender-based violence will set the stage for the implementation of the project, after which students will play a key role in setting the agenda for the development of points of action.

"Campus is home to many students; some of us live here, many of us meet friends and create new families here, and most of us launch and re-launch our lives here," says Danika Jorgensen, U of L student and co-ordinator for the Campus Women's Centre. "I'm incredibly excited that students will be front and centre in this campus directive, and I look forward to the opportunities it presents for students to be heard and to get involved with helping to maintain a safe campus atmosphere."

YWCA Lethbridge and District will play a key role in moving the project forward.

"We are overwhelmed by the support of Status of Women Canada to further our community's work in addressing gender-based violence," says Kristine J. Cassie, Chief Executive Officer. "The opportunity to partner with the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and continue work with the Sexual Violence Action Committee creates the prospect to build a unique and student-driven initiative that is both meaningful and sustainable in addressing the impacts of gender-based violence on our community."

UNews - Danika Jorgensen

Inclusive, single-user washrooms introduced at U of L campus

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Federal funding spurs gender-based violence project

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