Inclusive Washrooms

Effective Date: December 5, 2022

Purpose

The Toronto Public Library (TPL or Library) is committed to achieving an environment that provides equitable access to staff and public washrooms for all Library Users, including equity-deserving groups, in a manner that promotes a welcoming and supportive environment free from discrimination and harassment.

The Inclusive Washrooms Policy (the Policy) outlines and communicates to staff and the public how TPL will work to create, maintain, and promote inclusive washrooms to nurture a welcoming environment for all Library Users – including staff and the public – through inclusive design, signage features, staff training, communications, and other appropriate initiatives.

Scope

This Policy applies to both staff and public washrooms that are operated by the Library and are within Library facilities.

Underlying Principles

TPL's Inclusive Washrooms Policy is founded on the following core principles:

Policy Statement

Providing inclusive access to washrooms enables all Library Users – including equity-deserving groups – to use and benefit from the Library spaces and services.

TPL will support equitable access to staff and public washrooms and a welcoming and supportive environment through inclusive design and signage features, training, communications, and other appropriate initiatives.

This Policy contributes to a welcoming and supportive environment and a spirit of mutual respect among all Library Users.

  1. Introduction
    • 1.1. All Library Users contribute to a welcoming and supportive environment by refraining from verbal or physical harassment and discrimination of other users.
    • 1.2. Acts of harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated and Library Users who engage in such acts are subject to corrective measures taken in accordance with the Library's Human Rights and Anti- Harassment/Discrimination Policy and Rules of Conduct.
    • 1.3. This Policy aims to achieve a balance between inclusivity, accessibility, dignity, independence, and the privacy concerns of individuals.
    • 1.4. An individual's personal information, including their self-identified gender or disability, will not be collected or shared with another party without the individual's express consent.
  2. General
    • 2.1. The Library will take both a short and longer-term approach to provide equitable, inclusive, and accessible washrooms to improve accessibility and inclusivity.
    • 2.2. To ensure a common understanding of barriers hindering equitable access to washrooms, and to develop effective solutions to remove these barriers, the Library will:
      • Consult and communicate with all relevant stakeholders to promote mutual understanding and respect among all Library Users;
      • Ensure that Library staff are well-informed of this Policy and understand its application; and
      • Incorporate strategies to remove barriers to washrooms in short-and longer-term service and facilities plans.
  3. Design of Washrooms
    • 3.1. The Library commits to developing and implementing inclusive design, accessibility, and safety features in its washrooms in renovation and new construction projects taking into account available resources.
    • 3.2. Where the City of Toronto or Province of Ontario has provided for relevant standards, the Library will meet or surpass those standards in renovation and new construction projects.
    • 3.3. Washrooms will be designed or redesigned to facilitate equity, inclusivity, and accessibility by, but not limited to:
      • Installing inclusive signage;
      • Installing multi-purpose change tables in washrooms where practical;
      • Repurposing washrooms to support universal access; and
      • Mounting locked containers for disposal of sharp objects.
  4. Washroom Signage
    • 4.1. The Library will use clear, prominent, and accessible signage to support inclusivity and inform Library Users of the features available inside the washrooms.
    • 4.2. Signage for washrooms will be designed and installed to support the accessibility, dignity, and independence of the individual.
  5. Gender Identity and Expression
    • 5.1. The Library will provide washrooms in a manner that benefits all Library Users, including people of all gender identities and expressions, through design, the use of signage and training as identified above.
    • 5.2. Library Users are welcome to use a washroom based on their self-identified gender identity and expression. No documentation or other proof of gender will be required or requested.
  6. Health and Wellness
    • 6.1. The Library will provide access to washrooms that supports Library Users in a manner that takes into consideration their health and wellness.
    • 6.2. Library staff and security personnel will conduct wellness checks in washrooms according to procedures and guidelines established for this Policy.
    • 6.3. Procedures for wellness checks will consider the needs of all users, including accommodation for persons with disabilities.

Specific Directives

This Policy provides guiding principles for how TPL will work to create, maintain and promote inclusive washrooms and commits the Library to improving washroom access in both the short and longer term.

In particular, inclusive design features will be implemented through planned renovation and new construction projects as part of implementation of the Facilities Master Plan and the 10-year Capital Plan.

Accountability

The Transformational Projects division is accountable for implementation of this Policy.

Related Legislation

Related TPL Policies

Definitions

Accessibility:
Refers to the absence of barriers that prevent individuals and/or groups from fully participating in all aspects of employment and service provision. The term is often linked to people with disabilities and their rights to access.
Barriers:

With respect to discrimination, it includes attitudes and designs that prevent people from fully participating in employment, use of facilities, and service provision.

Individuals and/or groups can experience discrimination as a result of physical (building design), attitudinal (stereotypes or prejudices) or systemic barriers.

Systemic barriers are formal or informal policies, practices or rules that, when applied in the same way to everyone, may have the effect of excluding or restricting the participation of some individuals, e.g., a work schedule or community meeting that conflicts with religious observance requirements.

Gender Expression:
Refers to the way people communicate or express their gender identity, often through behaviour and physical appearance, e.g., dressing, the length and style of hair, or by emphasizing, de-emphasizing or changing physical characteristics. Chosen names and pronouns are also ways in which people express gender. Gender expression is totally separate from sexual orientation.
Gender Identity:
Refers to the gender people identify with or how they perceive themselves, which may be different from their birth-assigned sex. Gender identity is linked to a sense of self, the sense of being female, male, both, neither (non-binary) or anywhere along the gender spectrum. Gender identity is completely separate from sexual orientation.
Library User:
Includes anyone who uses the Library's spaces, e.g., Library customers, Library staff, contractors, the public.
Universal Washroom:
A single occupancy washroom that is all gender and provides the space for a person using a larger mobility device, an adult change table and an attendant to assist a user when required, and an emergency call system.

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