The American Restroom Association (ARA) is a nonprofit that “advocates for the availability of clean, safe, and well-designed public restrooms. Accomplishments include successfully advocating for enforcement of and revisions to the International Plumbing Code, congressional testimony on gender equity in public restrooms in US Federal Buildings, and representing the USA in educating international audiences at Summits and Conferences of the World Toilet Organization (WTO).”
The Board of the ARA has unanimously voted to endorse the efforts of CincyPHLUSH, the newest regional chapter of Public Hygiene Lets Us Stay Human (PHLUSH).  CincyPHLUSH was founded to promote the installation of universally accessible toilets, such as the Portland Loo, throughout Greater Cincinnati’s Metro bus system.
The ARA has referred to CincyPHLUSH’s proposal as a “solid plan,” and their endorsement comes just as area leaders look to finalize spending plans for stimulus dollars.  So far, CincyPHLUSH has also been endorsed by Cincinnati Councilman Chris Seelbach, Council candidate Michelle Dillingham, as well as the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition and the Better Bus Coalition.
“This endorsement from the ARA really reinforces how on track we are with this plan,” said PHLUSH co-founder Jason Haap. “The ARA has been working on the national stage for 17 years, and they understand when a proposal offers real solutions.”
“We need to have more access available for people,” said PHLUSH co-founder Justin Jeffre.  “Now, with the stimulus money we have from the federal government, the city and the county have the means to do big things, like installing more public restrooms.”
Haap and Jeffre say they are not finished raising publicity for this issue, indicating they may host an upcoming event where community members can interact and get free toilet paper.
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