ng large!
everyday!
Kathryn Lyons is just as
passionate about education
as Laura. But she’s also
dedicated to inclusion,
accessibility and dignity for
people with disabilities.
using a Speech Amplifier
and is trialling eye gaze
technology so she can share
her vision of inclusion and
advocate for the rights of
people with disabilities.
“My goal is to have every
public bathroom in Australia,
and eventually the world,
be completely accessible
for all disabilities,” Kathryn
explained.
“I’ve recently been working
with the QUT Industrial
Design Unit and we’re going
to start developing working
models and designs of what
I envision for the future of
all public toilets,” Kathryn
explained.
And she is well on the way
to making that a reality.
“1 in 4 Australians have
incontinence issues, but
there are no continence bins
in public toilets that cater
for adult diapers or sanitary
items,” Kathryn explained.
“I approached Sanitary Bin
Suppliers on the East Coast
of Australia and challenged
them to change the bin lid
so that it could cater for
adult sanitary items.”
Kathryn already has one win
under her belt: The Royal
Brisbane Hospital (RBH)
has already installed these
newly designed bins into
all their accessible toilets
and is looking at installing
the modified sanitary bin
(renamed continence bin)
into every bathroom on site.
Thanks to CPL’s Assistive
Tech team, Kathryn has been
Aside from introducing
continence bins in every
public bathroom, Kathryn
would also like to see the
introduction of Ostomy
cleaning stations, transfer
boards, hoists, adult change
tablets and quiet areas
across the community.
“
It’s promising. But
now we need to look at
getting the community
involved and it starts
with awareness.
”
Awareness is definitely
happening, with Kathryn
being consistently
acknowledged for her
work. She received a
Leadership Award during
Disability Action Week this
year, as well as the Young
Queenslander of the Year
Kathryn receiving her Young
Queenslander of the Year award
with Minister Russo.
Award from Queensland’s
Youth Parliament.
Kathryn has also been invited
to attend the United Nations
Youth Forum next year in New
York, to share her vision on an
international stage.
How do you live your live
with passion? We want to
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choicepassionlife
Touchstone Summer 2016
7