A Brookfield mom's activism has led to the first public universal changing station in Waukesha County

Many people who need adult-sized changing tables must instead lay on an unhygienic public restroom floor or attempt to change in their vehicle, despite a lack of privacy and unpredictable weather. Some may decide to not leave home at all.

The first publicly available universal changing station in Waukesha County has been installed in the Brookfield Public Library and, for 23-year-old Matthew Knowles, it's now easier for him to enjoy the local farmers market, run errands or get a haircut.

Knowles has cerebral palsy and is a wheelchair-user. Sarah Knowles, Matthew's mother, needs to be able to lift him on to a table, so it is important that they are not only adult-sized, but also height-adjustable, like the one installed in the library.

"Knowing that that table is there, it means that we don't always have to go all the way home," said Sarah Knowles, a Brookfield resident.

As part of Wisconsin's chapter of the Changing Spaces Campaign, Knowles has advocated for the installation of universal changing tables, needed for individuals with disabilities that make them incontinent, the aging population or people who use catheters. Thanks to Knowles' efforts since 2016, there's a table in Fiserv Form, UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, General Mitchell International Airport, Froedtert Hospital and more.

She also helped shape a state bill with Rep. Robyn Vining that would require certain spaces to provide a single restroom with a universal changing station.

As someone who is normally shy and soft-spoken, political advocacy wasn't in Knowles' original life plans, she said.

"Basically, just fighting for Matthew is what keeps me able to do it," Knowles said.

She first reached out to Brookfield Ald. Mike Hallquist, who then worked with library staff to dedicate $8,000 of their budget to the table's installation. The table will last for over 20 years, Hallquist said.

"That is a really low investment for a city our size to be more accommodating for people with disabilities and incontinent seniors," Hallquist said.

Hallquist admits he didn't know tables were needed until he first spoke to Knowles.

"I think all policymakers, myself included, need to do a better job making sure that when they plan these facilities, that they are accommodating people in more diverse demographics," he said. "It shouldn't require this fearless mom advocate to say we have a problem."

The need for universal changing stations is unknown, Knowles said, partly because it can be an embarrassing topic to address, but also because people with disabilities tend to be overlooked.

"People have said to me before, 'we don't see people like your son here,' as though we're the ones who are weird because we've got a son with a disability, rather than the fact that it's because people don't like to come out because there aren't the resources that they need while they're out," Knowles said.

While people may overlook an issue that doesn't directly affect them, Knowles said, anyone can acquire a disability that renders them incontinent.

"You can have a brain tumor and suddenly you're dependent on someone else," she said.

Hallquist hopes to continue to work with Knowles to improve Wisconsin's accessibility.

"I hope other cities will consider either in their current facilities, building these types of universal changing stations, and certainly in their future ones," Hallquist said.

Quinn Clark can be emailed at QClark@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Quinn_A_Clark.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waukesha County installs first public universal changing station