Changing Spaces Campaign, 10 Years of Grassroots Advocacy
Written by Sarah Knowles, October 6, 2026
As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Changing Spaces Campaign, we are proud of our progress.
Back in 2016 many people were desperately seeking a solution for where to change themselves or their loved ones when away from home. It was simply unconscionable to have the solution be a dirty bathroom floor, the back of a vehicle or other unsanitary, unsafe spaces with no privacy.
Pictured above: 17-year-old Matthew Knowles lies on the floor underneath a baby changing table,
demonstrating what some adults with disabilities go through.
Even more undesirable was the solution of being forced to stay home rather than facing this prospect, something which can lead to social isolation and mental health issues not only for the person with a disability, but for their entire family.
Boy sitting in a wheelchair looking out the window of his home.
Pictured above: a teenage boy sits in his wheelchair looking out the window of his home.
In 2015, California was the first state to pass legislation mandating powered, height-adjustable adult-size changing tables in certain public buildings. Alisa Rosillo, leader of Changing Spaces California, was ahead of the curve with her advocacy.
Changing Spaces California Advocates Changing Spaces California advocates at the California statehouse
Above: Alisa Rosillo, leader of Changing Spaces California, advocates for
California Assembly Bill 662 with her son at the California state capitol.
Forming An Advocacy Campaign
The buzz around this reached advocates across the country, including U.S. Veteran and special needs mom Candice Aaron from Georgia. From there, Candice, Alisa, and other advocates gathered to form the Changing Spaces Campaign, a group that advocates for the installation of powered, height adjustable, adult size changing tables in public buildings.
At first, we worked as a group to brainstorm ideas of how to advocate and how to best raise awareness in our states. We were a great a mix of parents, self-advocates and allies. In 2019, we added more structure to our campaign by nominating national leaders, as well as state chapter leaders. Sarah Knowles from Wisconsin, Kisha Smith from Georgia, and Christina Abernethy from Pennsylvania took on national leadership roles. Despite being medical caregivers to their own loved ones, and/or living each day with their own disability, our national and state leaders strive to make a difference through advocacy. The group is in frequent contact with one another through social media and comes together online every two months for a meeting to discuss challenges, successes, and to support one-another. We are proud to say that in 2026 we have 37 committed advocates running 27 state chapters.
Changing Spaces State Chapters
Above: A map showing active Changing Spaces Campaign Chapters marked in blue.
If you are interested in advocating in your community, click here to view our current state chapters. Reach out to your chapter leader to ask how you can get involved. We can never have too many advocates pushing for equity, accessibility, and community inclusion. Don't see your state listed? Use our Advocacy Toolkit to start advocating in your state, or start a chapter in your state!
Advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint. Over the years we have lost and gained chapters. We would like to thank everyone who has been part of the campaign at any time over the last decade, no matter how long you were with us. You all helped us become the powerhouse we are today.
A decade has passed, and we have upped our campaign significantly. We have a wonderful website thanks to Ohio chapter co-leader Kim Kirkwood, supported by New York chapter leader Jackie Scali. We value the variety of unique talents and expertise that our chapter leaders bring to the table. Our individual voices have power, but together our influence is magnified.
After getting the first adult-size changing tables installed, we realized we needed a tool to locate them. Ohio Chapter co-leader Kim Kirkwood developed the Universal Changing Table map, or UCT Map, for short. Is shows all the locations of adult-size and universal changing tables across the United States. Thank you to all the Changing Spaces advocates and allies from across the country who have sent in locations to the map.
Universal Changing Table Map
Building Code
Universal Changing Tables are also now part of the 2024 International Building Code. They are referred to as "adult changing stations." Jennifer Corcoran, Ohio chapter co-leader, and Christina Abernethy, Pennsylvania chapter leader, were part of the International Building Code Committee that developed the code. We already have 20 states using this code or about to adopt it, with 13 more that have adopted the code in certain counties, cities or municipalities.
States That Have Adopted Building Code Requiring Adult Changing Stations
Above: A map showing which states in the United States have adopted building code requiring adult changing stations.
Also in 2024, the FAA Reauthorization Act was signed into law. That includes a mandate for all medium and large passenger airports to install a UCT in each terminal by 2030.
Advocacy looks different from state to state. Ten states have passed legislation; many more have attempted legislation.
States That Have Passed Legislation to Require Adult-size Changing Tables
Grant Funding
One of the most effective ways of getting our tables installed is through grant funding. Chrissy Beasley, Tennessee Chapter Leader, was the first advocate to secure significant funding through her state legislature, one million dollars! This opened the door for many adult-size changing tables to be installed across Tennessee.
Then Ohio upped the ante and awarded 4.4 million dollars in grant funding toward adult changing tables, which has kept Ohio chapter leaders Jennifer and Kim busy advising businesses, parks, the Department of Transportation, and more on their changing table installation projects. Ohio now leads the way with the number of table installations.
New Mexico chapter leaders Amy Lavender and Rebecca Sanford are working with New Mexico’s Tourism Division that is offering grants for tables.
Indiana chapter leaders Leslie Renkens and Krysta Zygowicz have just recently been told the state of Indiana has purchased 32 adult-size tables!
Partnering with State DOT's
Sometimes state agencies embrace installing these tables as the right thing to do, and funding can come from the state budget instead of from grants. Iowa chapter leader Nancy Baker Curtis worked with the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), and 23 Iowa rest areas have already had universal changing tables installed. Ohio DOT will install a total of 29 tables in rest areas and in Tennessee all rest areas, welcome centers and state parks will install tables by 2030. Many have already been installed! Florida, New York, Illinois, Virginia, and Wisconsin have also begun installing adult changing tables inside highway rest areas.
Iowa mom Nancy Baker Curtis and son Charlie advocate at the Iowa state capitol. Charlie smiles as he lays on an adult-size changing table. Nancy Baker Curits demonstrates how a caregiver uses an adult-size changing table to provide care.
Above: Iowa Changing Spaces chapter Nancy Baker Curtis and her son Charlie
advocating and using an adult size changing table.
Some advocates find they hit a brick wall with advocacy. Sometimes, the people who hold the power are resistant to change, and it is an uphill battle. All our advocates work hard and the number of tables in a state doesn’t represent differing work ethics, it’s just finding the right people at the right time. For those people who sometimes struggle but stick with the campaign and don’t give up, we appreciate you. If your state has 100 tables or just 1, that 1 table is making a difference in someone’s life.
We are Changing Spaces.
We are changing lives one restroom at a time.
young man lays on an adult size changing table. 10 year old boy lays in the trunk of a minivan. This is where he must change. Young man lays on an adult size changing table. Restroom signs that say "All gender" and "adult changing table". The changing spaces campaign logo. Matthew and mom Sarah demonstrate how Matthew lays on the adult size changing table. 10 year old boy sits in his wheelchair next to an adult-size changing table. Ohio advocates Jennifer and Matthew pose together. Kim Kirkwood and Aiden Boulter demonstrate Aiden sitting on the universal changing table. Kisha Smith kisses her son Ty. Changing Spaces Georgia advocates stand at a desk by the American flag. Changing Spaces Wisconsin mom Sarah shows the difficulty of changing her 20-year-old son in her van. Changing Spaces Mom and son smiling. Young girl with disabilities smiles while sitting in her wheelchair. Changing Spaces mom and daughter smile. Changing Spaces New Mexico group advocates for equal access. Changing Spaces New Mexico advocates testify for change. Changing Spaces Alabama advocates pose together. Changing Spaces Alabama advocates pose together while they advocate. Joshua Taylor, Changing Spaces Michigan chapter leader advocates on TV. Changing Spaces Campaign advocates celebrate a law passed in their state. Changing Spaces Alaska chapter leader smiles next to her son. Changing Spaces California chapter leader smiles next to her son. Changing Spaces family Changing Spaces young man smiles in his wheelchair. Cute little boy looks through his glasses at the camera. Changing Spaces Rhode Island advocates celebrate legislation passing. Changing Spaces Indiana mom Krysta smiles at her young son. Changing Spaces Indiana family Changing Spaces New York family Changing Spaces mom hugs her daughter while she smiles. Changing Spaces Virginia and Washington DC advocate Justin Boatner poses with friends Changing Spaces Virginia Monika and Josh Thrower advocate for building code change Changing Spaces Tennessee advocates speak about how important adult-sized changing tables are Cute little boy smiles with oxygen tube in his nose. Changing Spaces Minnesota advocate pose in front of the capitol building. Changing Spaces Advocates put their hands together to symbolize teamwork and unity. Koala Care adult size changing table. Changing Spaces Utah family Christina Abernethy, Changing Spaces Pennsylvania leader, speaks about the importance of inclusion. Changing Spaces Ohio advocates distribute information about adult size changing tables.
Pictured above: A collage of photos of Changing Spaces Campaign advocates and their loved ones.
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