National Public Toilet Map

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An extract from the National Public Toilet Map by the Albury, New South Wales City Council.[1] The symbols with white background indicate accessibility, those with blue background indicate those toilets lacking accessibility features.

The National Public Toilet Map is part of the Australian government's National Continence Management Strategy (NCMS). The map allows more Australians with urinary and fecal incontinence problems to live and participate in their communities with dignity and confidence, by making it easier for them to find information about the location of public toilets.

The map was launched in September 2001.^[1] The map is internet based and identifies 14,000 public and private toilets across Australia, including those in service stations and fast food outlets. The digital map also provides information on accessibility (access for disabled people) and opening hours for most of the toilets identified.

More than 3.8 million Australians are estimated to suffer continence issues, including families with young children.^[2] This represents 18% of the Australian population.

The map allows journey planning, including finding toilets near points of interest. Regular users of the web site can register and create their own customised web page, My Toilet Map, saving details of trips and localities for future reference. Registered users can also download toilets as waypoints to a Global Positioning System (GPS) device.

For journey planning a detailed map and written instructions are provided. Clickable icons go to details of the toilets including latitude and longitude to four decimal places, who provides the toilet and when details were last checked as well as all facilities, for example wheelchair access, opening hours, or whether the toilet has a Master Locksmiths' Association Key (MLAK). The MLAK is a master key that fits into specially designed locks allowing 24 hour a day access to public toilets. Eligible people, for example those with a disability, can purchase a key that opens all accessible toilets displaying the MLAK symbol.^[3] The symbols used comply with ISO 7001.^[4]

[edit] References

^ Minister puts public toilets on the map. Media release and speech archive. Australian Government: Department of Health and Aged Care (2001). Retrieved on 2006-04-14.
^ About the National Toilet Map. The National Toilet Map. Australian Government: Department of Health and Ageing (2006). Retrieved on 2006-04-14.
^ MLAK Frequently Asked Questions (pdf). The Wheelie's Handbook of Australia. Retrieved on 2006-04-14.
^ Symbols. The National Toilet Map. Australian Government: Department of Health and Ageing (2006). Retrieved on 2006-04-15.