Imagine having to cut a family outing short or stay home altogether because a public restroom cannot safely accommodate your needs. For thousands of people in Greater Cleveland, this is a daily reality.
An estimated 25,000 to 30,000 people throughout the region require access to universal adult changing tables. These adult-sized, height-adjustable tables provide a safe, private, and dignified space for individuals with physical disabilities or complex medical needs.
Without specialized changing tables, caregivers must change older children or adults on public restroom floors or in the backseat of a vehicle, creating unsanitary conditions and increasing the risk of infection. Safely transferring someone from a wheelchair without appropriate equipment can also lead to serious injuries for caregivers.
Thanks to its recent renovation and a $10,000 grant from the Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Euclid Public Library is helping remove this barrier. The library recently installed a universal adult changing table in an ADA-accessible restroom near the other restrooms by the adult book collection.
The new Koala Kare KB3000-AHL adult changing table can support up to 500 pounds and the height adjusts from as low as 12” to as high as 41” from the floor.
Library director Kacie Armstrong says this addition represents another step toward creating a welcoming, inclusive community space. "Every improvement that we have made in the newly remodeled library reflects our mission to serve the entire community, and this new changing table ensures more individuals and families can truly enjoy the library!"
To find other locations with universal adult changing tables in Northeast Ohio and across the country, visit the Changing Spaces Campaign website.