04/20/2021
This is why accessible and universal design is so important.
WHERE DO I CHANGE MY SON❓
That question is on my mind every single time we leave our house.
When he has an accident, where will I be able to clean him?
Our son is almost 10 years old and weighs over 100 pounds.
Do you see what the sign says in the picture?
MAXIMUM weight is 35 pounds!
Needless to say, my son is too large for a baby changing table.
I have changed him in the back of our car in busy parking lots while people walk by.
I’ve had to lay him on a beach towel, on the FLOOR, and clean him.
And to everyone who will say “change him standing up” - it’s not that easy. Without going into graphic detail, let’s just say not all messes can be cleaned while standing.
Please note, some individuals aren’t physically able to stand to be changed.
We’ve also had to leave him soiled until we return back home.
There are THOUSANDS of families doing these exact same things every single day.
NO HUMAN BEING should ever be layed on a public restroom floor.
Our loved ones DESERVE better.
They deserve HUMAN DIGNITY just like everyone else in the world.
This is why it’s so important to keep advocating until we have INCLUSIVE and ACCESSIBLE restrooms across our country.
Our proposed bills in different states hope to include these tables in highway rest stops, hospitals, sports arenas, amusement parks, airports, and museums.
PLEASE use this as a learning opportunity and share how important it is for public places to have universally designed changing tables.
Baby changing tables are for BABIES.
Universally designed changing tables are accessible for EVERYONE because they are 6 feet long and hold up to 400 pounds.
Powered height adjustable adult sized changing tables also give care givers the ability to transfer safely without lifting their loved one onto a fixed height table and risking injury.
There are hundreds of thousands of individuals with different abilities and chronic medical needs of ALL ages that require assistance in the restroom.
My son being one of them.
It’s time we start making human dignity a priority.
It’s time for our voices to be heard.
IT’S TIME FOR CHANGE.
