Mobile help: Don Di Giandomenico with Jess and wife Angela at the launch. Picture: Rob Carew
GOING out and spending time together as a family should be one of life's joys, but for the Di Giandomenicos this simple pleasure became all too hard.
Don and Angela's daughter Jess, 27, has cerebral palsy and things others take for granted — such as accessibility to toilets — often presented a challenge outside the comforts of the family home.
"When we went out, we'd have to go inside a disabled toilet and put a towel on the floor. It was pretty difficult," Mr Di Giandomenico said.
"This was ongoing for years and sometimes it was just easier to stay home.
"It just became too difficult and undignified."
Frustrated with the lack of access, Mr Di Giandomenico pulled out a piece of paper in 2008 and began designing a mobile toilet and restroom specifically for people with a disability.
The inspiration to help Jess, and his background working with Maroondah Council in parks and sportsfield projects, led to a completely novel idea materialising.
On last month's Australia Day, Jess cut the tape for Australia's first 'Marveloo', which is a toilet, change table and ceiling hoist inside a caravan-type arrangement.
The extra space makes life much easier for people with disabilities and their carers.
Mr Di Giandomenico described the launch as "humbling" and hoped to see the Marveloo marketed and used more widely.
Maroondah mayor and chairwoman of the council's disability advisory committee, Nora Lamont, echoed his thoughts.
"For Jess to be able to come to events now is just great," she said.
"They can do things as a family much more easily," she said.
"I was a bit overwhelmed to be part of a council that is at the cutting edge. We're all about accessibility and that's what we've given here."
Maroondah Council is now working with other councils so that more Marveloos can be developed for use at community events across the state.
The Marveloo will be available for use at all of Maroondah Council's outdoor events in the future.