Accessible Restrooms aren't a "Special" Need. (by Laura Hatcher)
Simon on the first day of school this year.
Like all moms, I think my kid is pretty special. My son Simon has an amazing sense of humor and can find joy in every day. He draws hundreds of hearts on post-its and leaves them all around the house for his family and friends to find so we remember that he loves us. He’s great at Mario Kart, and he loves to go swimming. Simon also has Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy, Hydrocephalus, Autism, and a unique genetic disorder. He has physical and intellectual disabilities.
For 13 years as Simon’s mom and advocate, I’ve used the term “special” a lot. Unfortunately, I’ve used it less often to describe my awesome kid and more often to try to get him the things he needs just to be able to do the same things as other kids, like going to school and the park.
Special education for learning.
Special needs equipment for getting around.
Special needs activities for being included.
Even though I use the term “special” so frequently to describe things Simon needs, the truth is that NONE of these things are actually special – they are necessary. Everyone needs to learn, get around, and be included. What is special is that people with disabilities and those who love them have to ask, and advocate, and plead, and push for every little ordinary thing. Even things as basic as public restrooms.
Many children with disabilities like my son need access to changing tables long past the point baby changing tables can support their weight, and there are no larger tables available. Putting a child on a bathroom floor is unsanitary and undignified. Changing an older child inside a vehicle is not private enough. As parents and caregivers we do everything we can to protect our children’s dignity and privacy; so when a change is needed families are often forced to go home. This limits our ability to go out and stay out in our community, and it limits our children’s opportunities to be included, have fun, and just be kids.
Children with disabilities aren’t the only people impacted by this lack of restroom accessibility. Kids with disabilities grow up to be adults with disabilities who want to work and be a part of their communities. Through their service to our country, many veterans become disabled, and they deserve to come home to a community they can fully access. If we’re lucky, we will all age and with age comes disability. If we want to “age in place,” that place needs to accommodate our basic needs. Disability is a part of life.
Maryland State Senator Chris West (MD 42 -R) with Robert from Little Lobbyists chat outside the hearing room.
Using a public restroom isn’t a special need, it’s a necessity. This is why many states are now proposing bills that mandate adult changing equipment be included in the renovation or new construction of public buildings. Recently, I attended a hearing in Maryland for one such bill (SB 44) to support those testifying and to talk to my state legislators about why they should support this bill. My state senator Chris West (MD 42-R), who is a member of the Finance Committee where the bill was being introduced, even pointed out that many public places have already renovated bathrooms to include gender neutral/family areas which could easily accommodate adult changing tables. These tables fold flat against the wall and take no space when not in use.
None of us like talking about our need to use the restroom because, frankly, it’s uncomfortable and embarrassing. As a result, I was extra impressed with the bravery of those who showed up at the bill hearing to testify about their very personal needs. Not only did they show up, they waited quite some time for their turn to speak, despite the fact that – as one self advocate pointed out – there was no public restroom accessible to them in the Maryland Senate office building and many of them were in need of a change.
Here is some of what they had to say:
“This Bill is an important step forward for people with disabilities to participate in employment and community access. … People with disabilities should be able to go out and enjoy the community without worrying if there will be a place where they can get clean.” - Ken Capone, Director of People On the Go of Maryland
“My disability does not prevent me from being in the community, but not being able to care for my personal hygiene does.” - Amanda, speaking on a panel with the Arc of Maryland
“I live my life everyday with no place for me to change, and that causes embarrassment for me. There ought to be a changing table here instead of telephones.” [in reference to the bank of obsolete landlines located in front of the restrooms near the hearing room] - Donna, speaking on a panel with the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council
“I want to use the public restroom just like everyone else in my community. I am a registered and active voter.” - Robert, Little Lobbyists
Advocates from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council, the Arc of Maryland and Little Lobbyists waiting for their turn to testify in support of Maryland’s Senate bill 330.
Access for people with disabilities isn’t a special need; it’s a civil right. Here are some links to state bills supporting access to public restrooms (send us a message if we’re missing any so we can add to this list!). Please let your legislators know you support these bills and all civil rights for people with disabilities: A simple email or phone call can help us solve a simple problem with a big impact. And, if your state doesn’t yet have a bill for this? Suggest one (there are lots of examples below)!
To find out how to contact your legislators (in any state), please visit: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials
Arizona (Already passed! Call to say thanks!): HB 2113
https://kjzz.org/content/929856/arizona-gov-ducey-signs-adult-changing-table-bill-law
And check out Dignified Changes, the advocacy group that got the Arizona bill passed and is working to expand this initiative.
California (Already passed! Call to say thanks!): AB 662
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201520160AB662
Florida: SB 1106 / HB 669
https://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/newswire/2019/12/24/bill-seeks-require-adult-changing-tables-florida-public-restrooms/2740711001/
Georgia: SB 125
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20192020/SB/125
Maryland: SB 44
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/SB0044?ys=2020RS
New Hampshire (Already passed! Call to say thanks!): HB 628
https://legiscan.com/NH/text/HB628/id/1851806
New York (Already passed! Call to say thanks!): A03940
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-passage-legislation-ensure-equal-access-diaper-changing-stations
Ohio: SB 249 / GA 133
https://radio.wosu.org/post/ohio-bill-would-require-more-adult-changing-tables-restrooms#stream/0
Oklahoma: “Max’s Law”
www.facebook.com/MickeyDollensOK/videos/3034829759892397/
Pennsylvania: HB 117
https://www.wesa.fm/post/advocates-say-adult-changing-table-bill-promises-dignity#stream/0