ODOT adding adult-sized changing tables in 28 highway rest areas by 2026
Within the next few years, Kim Boulter and her son Aiden, as well as thousands of other Ohio families, will be able to take road trips to new places thanks to an investment by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT).
Aiden, 10, has developmental disabilities that necessitate him needing protective undergarments that must be changed, but there aren’t universal changing tables in Ohio’s highway rest area buildings, or many other places in the state, and he’s outgrown baby changing tables.
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But, in January, advocates like Aiden’s mom met with department of transportation officials to explain the need for these changing tables, which are sized for everyone no matter their age, in rest stops.
Since then, ODOT has confirmed to the Dispatch that it will put the universal changing tables, also known as "adult" changing tables, in 28 of its rest stops that will be renovated in the next three years.
"We met with Changing Spaces Ohio to learn about the needs of this underserved population," said Matt Bruning, spokesman for ODOT. "We’ve heard that the lack of this amenity can be a barrier to travel for the folks that rely on universal changing tables."
Boulter is thrilled at the update.
“It makes me so proud of our state, knowing that our state officials support people with disabilities,” said Boulter, co-chapter leader of advocacy group Changing Spaces Ohio. “I can’t wait to be able to take road trips to new places across our state where I have never been able to take my son before.”
The updates are life-changing for Aiden and Boulter, she said.
“We will have the freedom to go to more places and enjoy life to the fullest. We will no longer be faced with the isolation of staying home and forgoing outings and road trips because of lack of facilities,” she said. “This simple change will improve the quality of life of people with disabilities across our state.”
Changing Spaces Ohio's work
Boulter first teamed up with another woman, Jennifer Corcoran, in March 2022 to advocate for more appropriate, safe and private changing tables for children and adults who need them.
They started Changing Spaces Ohio, a branch of a national campaign called Changing Spaces that advocates for more universal changing tables.
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Since then, Boulter has focused on reaching out to places she frequents — such as doctor’s offices, libraries and parks — to educate them on the need for the tables.
Previously, they were only found locally in places such as classrooms at the Franklin County Department of Developmental Disabilities school and at Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s main campus.
More recently, Boulter joined Corcoran and Christine Sanducci to found the Inspired Access Foundation, a nonprofit meant to help raise money to fund the universal changing tables, which can be costly to purchase, ranging from $2,800 to $20,000.
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There is also work to make having such a table an automatic thing for new buildings, Boulter said.
Architects and experts are working to include universal changing tables in the 2024 International Building Code. The code is a model used or adopted in 50 states and can be used with laws and procedures of governments to create a standard for when updates must be made in public buildings, according to the International Code Council, which develops the International Building Code every three years.
Mapping the change
Boulter and others have also created an interactive map to show locations of universal chaning tables across the nation.
Locations are being added constantly, she said. The map can be found at universalchangingtablemap.com.
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Mitch Blackford, assistant director of field operations at ODOT, said the amenities at Ohio rest areas will also be listed on its website once the locations are completely renovated.
Other states, including Florida, Iowa and Tennessee, have decided to add the tables in new or renovated locations, according to Boulter.
Where are universal changing tables in Columbus?
Places in central Ohio with adult changing tables, according to Changing Spaces Ohio, include:
Nationwide Children's Hospital, seven locations across the main campus and Dublin Close to Home
More information on Changing Spaces Ohio can be found at changingspacescampaign.com/ohio and more on the Inspired Access Foundation can be found at inspiredaccessfoundation.com/.
dking@dispatch.com
@DanaeKing
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: ODOT adding adult-sized changing tables in 28 highway rest areas
