Our work often involves public accountability, legal or regulatory constraints, real spaces, and competing needs.
Because the cost of getting it wrong is high, we focus not only on what decisions are made—but also on how to implement them calmly, consistently, and without escalation.
We are most often engaged to support decisions related to:
washrooms and change rooms
access rules and operational guidance
policies, forms, and data systems
staff readiness and frontline practice
environments shaped by law, regulation, or public accountability
Our work on washrooms and change rooms prioritizes safety, privacy, and dignity for everyone—including cisgender women—by focusing on design and guidance that reduce conflict rather than create it.
Because much of our work involves safety, legal exposure, and public trust, confidentiality is essential. We demonstrate impact through aggregated outcomes observed across (re)engagements.
Organizations we support consistently report:
clearer decisions before implementation
reduced escalation and fewer reactive fixes
improved staff confidence and consistency
fewer complaints driven by confusion or ambiguity
decisions that hold up under scrutiny over time
Functionally, this means lower implementation failure risk—especially in environments with limited tolerance for error.
Across sectors and settings, our work typically involves:
real spaces and systems
public accountability or scrutiny
competing needs and perspectives
limited tolerance for error
Our role is to help organizations move forward with clarity, calm, and decisions that hold up in practice.
The projects below illustrate the types of decisions, environments, and trade-offs TransFocus is most often brought in to support.
These projects are representative, not exhaustive.
They are examples of the types of challenges we’ve supported, shared at a high level to respect confidentiality.
City-wide decisions affecting facilities, staff, and services
Led a multi-departmental consultation process involving facilities, human resources, communications, and programs. Recommendations were approved by City Council, with ongoing support for implementation and manager education.
Community-led approach to inclusive facilities and public spaces
Conducted a comprehensive review of washrooms across Nation-owned buildings, followed by a broader community-led engagement process addressing public and cultural spaces. Work was grounded in community priorities and governance processes.
Balancing patient care, staff needs, and safety
Conducted a comprehensive gender diversity audit involving patients and employees across acute and community health facilities. Developed integrated recommendations addressing both structural and cultural dimensions of care.
Large-scale, multi-year systems change
Led multiple initiatives including an inclusive washroom study, a gender diversity audit, and revisions to human resources procedures and education. Work involved extensive multi-stakeholder consultation and resulted in standards, recommendations, and toolkits used across campuses.
Inclusive washroom signage in a public-facing system
Supported decision-making related to washroom access and signage. Developed communications and education to prepare managers, employees, and contractors for changes across a large transit network.
Washrooms and change rooms in civic facilities
Reviewed floor plans and existing conditions for public buildings. Facilitated strategy sessions with senior leaders to explore risks, design options, and operational considerations for shared spaces.
Navigating trans inclusion under intense public scrutiny
Supported leadership and technical teams to review and refine gender-diversity policies and public communications in a highly polarized national context. Work focused on clarifying expectations, addressing common concerns, and supporting consistent implementation across affiliated organizations.
Policy and systems review across Canadian sport
Conducted research and consultation with administrators and high-performance athletes to assess policies, procedures, and systems. Developed recommendations to support clearer, more consistent inclusion practices.
Supporting employees transitioning at work
Advised HR managers on communication and support plans for employees transitioning on the job. Delivered education across multiple locations and reviewed facilities as a case study for broader application.
Inclusive design across shared accommodations
Conducted comprehensive discovery across programs, facilities, booking systems, and communications. Supported development of recommendations for shared dorms, bathrooms, and showers.
If you’re navigating a decision where getting it wrong would be hard to undo, we invite a conversation focused on risk, readiness, and feasibility.
