Federal grant gives Stouffville enough to buy mobile washroom trailer
Whitchurch-Stouffville received $50,000 from the Enabling Accessibility Fund toward the purchase of the mobile washroom trailer for people with disabilities

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 22, 2017
By Ali Raza

Stouffville’s finally got a mobile washroom trailer, a first of its kind.

King-Vaughan MP Deb Schulte - on behalf of Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities Carla Qualtrough - announced on Friday, Feb. 17 that Whitchurch-Stouffville received $50,000 through the Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) to assist in the construction of a mobile washroom trailer.

The town and its residents have worked to gather funds for the mobile washroom trailer since last summer when special education teacher Derek Bunn and community volunteer Diane Ward determined residents with disabilities needed more assistance to fully participate in community events.

“It’s very exciting,” she said. “I’ve been so frustrated with so many people in levels of government, and then there are others like the town of Whitchurch-Stouffville and the federal government that helped us.”

The town agreed to house the trailer when not in use. Mayor Justin Altmann’s wedding last summer brought in donations of $51,000, Ward said.

The community fundraised $50,000 and the federal grant brought another $50,000, bringing the total fundraised amount to $151,000 - just enough for the mobile washroom trailer.

Though the original cost was estimated to be $100,000, the actual costs were $135,000 plus tax.

Ward says work has begun to fundraise for a second trailer.

“There are nine festivals and fairs in the July 1st weekend alone,” she said, highlighting the need for a second trailer.

The mobile washroom trailer will be used by caregivers of children, adults and seniors with severe physical disabilities who cannot move independently from their own wheelchairs. The trailer is equipped with a sink, toilet, an adult changing table and a lift system.

The mobile washroom trailer will be unveiled at Stouffville’s Strawberry Festival - just in time for the town’s Canada 150 celebration.

The EAF provides funding for projects to improve accessibility for Canadians with disabilities. It has an annual budget of $15 million and since its creation, it has funded 2,890 projects across Canada.

Ward said she will address town council on March 7 for a formal request for purchase. She anticipates the trailer will be purchased on March 8.