Toyota City, Japan, May 14, 2015 - (JCN Newswire) - For wheelchair users and others with disabilities and/or special needs, certain aspects of traveling by car can be problematic and uncomfortable. Finding the nearest special needs restroom(1), for example, presents a challenge when planning a trip: what route should you take? When and where can you stop?
To help address this problem, Toyota is launching its newly-developed Restroom Finder app on May 21. The app, which works in conjunction with the Toyota T-Connect and Lexus G-Link telematics systems, lets users search for special needs restrooms located in rest areas on highways and public roads.
Restroom Finder provides detailed information about facilities, such as ease of access to the restrooms, and covers a wide variety of service areas, including Toyota's own Welcab Stations(2). At present, the app offers information for three prefectures in the Tokai region (Aichi, Gifu and Mie). It also provides route guidance to facilities fitting the parameters within these regions.
The app can filter search results by facility type or user needs, including location of handrails or presence of care beds, diaper-changing tables, and ostomate facilities. Users can view detailed information on facilities that fit the search parameters and set them as destinations. In addition, even if a destination has already been set in the initial navigation screen, facilities can be added as en route stops or as additional destinations.
The non-profit Iseshima Barrier Free Tour Center(3) was asked to supervise development of this app. Based on their interpretation(4) of "personal barrier-free standards", advice was sought on what type of information ought to be collected and provided, and the user-friendliness of the app.
From May 21 to 23, Toyota will exhibit Restroom Finder at the International Welfare and Health Industry Exhibition-Welfare 2015, in Nagoya.
(1) In this case, a restroom that can be used by a wide variety of people, including wheelchair users and others with disabilities, senior citizens, and people with children.
(2) A Toyota dealer with a dedicated space for specially equipped Welcab vehicles. Welcab Stations meet universal design standards and employ a resident Welcab consultant-a professional who combines expert knowledge and experience in the field of welfare mobility.
(3) The Iseshima Barrier Free Tour Center is a non-profit organization that researches and distributes information about special needs tourism in Mie Prefecture and runs a consultation service for tourists. It was established in 2002 as Japan's first such tourist center.
(4) Standards defined not by the presence or number of facilities but by "the types and expectations of holidaymakers". This has been set as a nationwide standard by the "Japan Barrier-Free Tourism Promotion Organization."
About Toyota
Supported by people around the world, Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), has endeavored since its establishment in 1937 to serve society by creating better products. As of the end of December 2013, Toyota conducts its business worldwide with 52 overseas manufacturing companies in 27 countries and regions. Toyota's vehicles are sold in more than 170 countries and regions. For more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com.
Source: Toyota
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