Over the past 20 years I’ve been involved in several product design projects, some good, some not so good, and some downright weird. On every occasion the inventors swear that their product is the next best thing. Sadly on most occasions they don’t make it to market. So on the rare occasions that I stumble across a truly great new product idea, it’s like hearing the captain say ‘cabin crew close the doors, and arm the plane ready for takeoff’, when the seat next to you is still empty.
Relaxing at the Byron Bay Writers Festival, enjoying the sun, while expanding my mind, it wasn’t long before I had to answer the call of nature, however this time the trip was enlightening as well as relieving.
There were three toilet blocks positioned around the Festival venue, each with the usual bank of soulless blue port-a-loo toilets. However at one block I saw something I’d never seen before, a wheelchair access port-a-loo.
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© The Ponder Room
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I was so amazed I even pointed it out to the person next to me, and we spent the next ten minutes marveling at the sight before us. As with most successful new products, our reaction was ‘why hasn’t someone thought of that before?’
After talking to one of the wheelchair bound patrons, I’d say a big thank you goes out to the manufacturers, and to the BBWF organisers for having the wisdom to provide it.
Perhaps they should become mandatory for all outdoor events. The only problem I can see, is keeping everyone else out of their roomy Tardis-like interiors. Good luck with that.
5 Comments
You know until I saw this post, I didn’t know such a thing existed and I can’t help but wonder what the disabled do if this kind of thing isn’t at the event they are at?
Amazing
I’ve never seen it either. Great job designers and event organisers.
Oh good, I thought it was just me who had been living in the dark.
BIQ …nice to see you’ve caught the pondering bug too
I always try and stop by for a gander…. pondering sure never hurt anyone 😉
hehe good point BIQ. So glad to know that there are real people out there and I’m not just talking to myself, well not now at least.