Programs
Education and Outreach
Throughout its existence, the American Restroom Association has educated professionals and laypeople on the importance of public restrooms, and best practices for restroom design and provision. These efforts include:
- Written outreach materials, including through our blog
- Conference talks and presentations
- Commentary in the media and press
- Speaking engagements
- Social media advocacy
The ARA is planning new education and outreach events in the coming months. Please subscribe to our newsletter to learn more.
Work With Policymakers and Built Environment Professionals
Since its founding, the ARA has regularly met with policymakers, urban planners, architects, and engineers to provide technical assistance and advocate for increased restroom access. Through this work, the ARA has been able to expand restroom access for thousands of Americans. Of particular note is the ARA’s support for entities across the country in keeping public restrooms open during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ARA continues to meet with policymakers and built environment professionals in the public and private sector. These entities come to the ARA for insight on best practices for restrooms, to understand restroom-related efforts around the country, and to collaborate on expanding access to public restrooms.
In recent years, the ARA has:
- met with city and state policymakers to provide insight and feedback on public restroom expansion initiatives
- worked with private providers of public restroom infrastructure to expand access to single-occupant, all-gender restrooms
- provided feedback on federal, state, and local policies related to restroom accessibility
- served as a “clearinghouse” connecting built environment professionals interested in expanding access to public restrooms
- Supported other groups’ advocacy efforts through backing and technical expertise
You can learn more about our current work with policymakers and built environment professionals from our newsletters.
Local Chapters
The ARA is currently launching a series of “local chapters” that will focus on advocacy for public restrooms, including funding, education, and improvements to facilities in local communities across the country. At this time, we are planning to establish these chapters at the county or metropolitan area level.
Examples of advocacy projects could include, but are not limited to:
- Installing or renovating single-occupancy all-gender restrooms in parks or public spaces
- Advocating for dedicated funding for restroom construction and upkeep in local infrastructure budgets
- Supporting new city programs designed to expand restroom access for members of the public
- Advocating for a local or state version of Ally’s Law
- Advocating for the installation of universal changing tables
More information will come once the initial chapters are established. If you are interested in aligning your local efforts with the ARA, read more on our page on involvement, and please contact us directly.
Targeted Advocacy Campaigns and Efforts
The ARA periodically engages in targeted advocacy campaigns based on a single issue or a single news story. Examples of past campaigns include:
- Guidance on reopening public restrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Development of codes to ensure potty parity for equal access to restrooms for men and women
- Communication with members of Congress to expand restroom access and restroom provision funding
- Documenting and broadcasting the stories of the “restroom challenged”
Recently, the ARA has conducted targeted advocacy on:
- Encouraging retailers, such as Starbucks, to keep their public restrooms open to the public
- Providing comment on federal regulations affecting restroom access in airports
You can learn more about these efforts and get involved by subscribing to our newsletter.
Collaborative Efforts with the International Paruresis Association (IPA)
The ARA frequently works with the IPA, which provides support for people living with paruresis (shy bladder syndrome) who face challenges using public restrooms, especially shared public restrooms. The ARA supports the IPA’s advocacy and programs for people with paruresis and its education and outreach efforts when they relate to public restrooms.