Advocating for Inclusion in 2026
- Changing Spaces Campaign
- Mar 3
- 9 min read
Updated: Mar 6
The Changing Spaces Campaign made great strides toward community inclusion and restroom equity in 2025, and we are continuing to advocate and strive for more in 2026!
We are a national campaign made of hard-working, passionate advocates, across 27 State Chapters. We are proud to report that 257 new adult changing stations were installed in 2025 across the United States! Are any of those located in your state? Check the Universal Changing Table Map to find out.
Changing Spaces advocates continue to work with lawmakers in their states to author and pass legislation to require universal changing tables to be installed. So far, nine states have passed legislation requiring adult-size changing tables to be installed in certain buildings, and several more have bills in process now! Read more in our state chapter updates below.
State Chapter Updates
Changing Spaces Alaska has been working to pass House Bill 141 into law, which will require height-adjustable, adult-size changing tables to be included in new, public buildings or any public building that undergoes a major renovation. This process is ongoing. Please reach out to Judi Edwards, AK state chapter leader, if you are able to submit your comments in support of the bill.
Last year, Changing Spaces Alaska leadership worked with the Alaska Governor's council, who then advocated for a grant program to be created. As a result, the Alaska mental health trust has agreed to offer some grants for businesses to use for universal changing tables. The chapter looks forward to more progress in 2026!
Follow the Alaska Chapter's Facebook page for more updates.
Changing Spaces Alabama advocates partnered with Senator Orr in the Alabama state senate and Representative Cynthia Almond in the Alabama state House of Representatives, to introduce Senate Bill 83, which requires adult-size changing tables to be placed into publicly-funded buildings in Alabama, and to create a grant program to fund the changing table installations. In 2025 the bill passed UNANIMOUSLY in the Alabama state senate! Follow the Alabama Chapter's social media for updates.
Sadly, the Campaign suffered the loss of Godilean Powell, co-chair of Changing Spaces Alabama, at the end of 2025. She was an amazing mother and advocate for disability rights.
Pictured Above: Changing Spaces Alabama advocates meeting with elected officials and celebrating the passage of SB83.
We are excited to see Assembly Bill 662 (AB662) finally materializing across the State! This bill was passed in 2015, and starting in 2020, required newly constructed buildings to install universal changing tables. It also requires existing buildings that do a renovation to install universal changing tables starting in 2025. As a result, these are being installed at all the major entertainment complexes, like Disneyland and California Adventure.
Our plan for 2026 is to continue to connect with places of entertainment to support them as they add changing spaces to their locations.
Follow the California Chapter's social media for more updates.
Pictured above: The newly-installed universal changing table at Disneyland theme park in California.
We are continuing to advocate for the Traveling with Dignity Act, alongside our allies at CP Unlimited. Additionally, adult-size changing tables have been added to five rest stops on the NYS Thruway that were recently renovated; located at the Ontario travel plaza, the Warners service area, the Pattersonville travel plaza, the Malden travel plaza, and the Sloatsburg travel plaza. Follow the New York Chapter's social media for more updates.
Pictured above: Universal Changing table at the Warners rest stop, NYS Thruway, Westbound.
Here in Georgia, home of The Atlanta Braves, two universal changing tables were installed at Truist Park Stadium last year! In 2026, The Georgia chapter leaders plan to foster more relationships and bring more awareness to the barrier the the lack of adult-size changing tables creates for so many.
Illinois Chapter leader Courtney Carleson has been working with IL House Representative Briel on a bill that will expand Sami's Law, which was passed in 2024. The new bill, HB4379, was recently introduced, but received pushback from a few groups including the IL Retail Merchants Association, IL Health and Hospital Association, IL Municipal League, IL Fuel and Retail Association, Molly Rockford and Associates, and the National Federation of Independent Business. Courtney and Rep. Briel plan to make some changes to the bill and reintroduce it. Passing laws is difficult work, and the Illinois chapter will need your support once it is reintroduced. Follow the Illinois Chapter's social media for more updates.
Minnesota is proud to have adopted new building code that requires adult changing stations starting in August 2025. The Minnesota chapter leaders played a key role in the adoption of the International Building Code (IBC) on adult changing stations into the Minnesota state building code. The IBC requires adult changing stations to be installed in new, large buildings of the following categories: Assembly buildings (theaters, churches, community centers, amusement parks, etc.), large stores and shopping malls, large classroom buildings on college and university campuses, K-12 schools that are used for community functions (like sports tournaments), and highway rest stops. In addition, Minnesota has added state park campgrounds and visitor centers, hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, and outpatient clinics to the list buildings that are required to install adult changing stations when newly built. Follow the Minnesota Chapter's social media for more updates.
We are very proud that Nevada installed our FIRST Universal Changing Table in 2025! Is is located at the Evelyn Mount NE Community Center in Reno.
Follow the Nevada Chapter's social media for more updates.
Pictured above: a little girl sits in her wheelchair near the first universal changing table installed in Nevada.
In 2025, The New Mexico chapter Introduced House Bill 40 (HB40). This bill made it through 2 committees, but unfortunately progress has stalled on the bill.
We also partnered with the New Mexico Department of Tourism to offer the Destination Forward Accessibility Pilot Grant, that funded the installation of three universal changing tables! One of these tables was just installed in the State Capitol building.
We have big plans for our advocacy work in 2026, including advocating for capital outlay funding to purchase a mobile restroom unit that we can bring to events across the state. Follow the New Mexico Chapter's social media for more updates.
Pictured above: A group of advocates at the celebration of the first table install at Explora, a STEM centered museum in Albuquerque.
In Ohio, we continued to see the positive effects of the $4.4 million in grant funding that was utilized by the Department of Developmental Disabilities and the Ohio County Boards to purchase and install universal changing tables and to fund mobile changing units. In 2025 and 2026, we have seen approximately 125 universal changing tables installed in buildings and parks across our state!
Ohio County Boards of Developmental Disabilities have pioneered the implementation of changing table lending programs. There are now sixteen counties where a universal changing table can be borrowed to make a community event more accessible. Nine county boards of DD have invested in Mobile Changing Units, which are portable trailers that are a family restroom on wheels, containing a universal changing table, and personal lift systems for transfers. Other county boards used their grant funding to sponsor the Momentum Refresh mobile changing restroom at community events, which made the events more inclusive to all.
The Ohio Department of Transportation is in the procress of rebuilding twenty-nine Ohio rest stops, all which will have adult changing stations. So far, construction is complete on ninteen out of twenty-nine. Follow the Ohio Chapter's social media for more updates.
Pictured above: Morrow County, Ohio's accessible restroom trailer containing a universal changing table and powered ceiling hoist system, and an adult changing table directional sign.
Last year the Pennsylvania chapter continued to see progress, with many installations of adult-size changing tables in places like Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia, Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown, Shaler North Hills Library in Glenshaw, and Ewing Park in Ellwood City, There have also been additional adult size changing tables installed at Pittsburgh International airport; they are now located in every concourse in the new section of the airport.
Lastly, a model adult changing station has been installed in the Pennsylvania state capitol complex insde a private restroom. It is equipped with a height-adjustable adult sized changing table, a ceiling lift system, an assisted lift toilet seat and a height adjustable sink. The ceiling tracking system is there to assist those who need extra support transferring their loved ones to the changing table. We would like to send a huge thank you to former state Representative Dan Miller for helping this project come to life. We truly appreciate your time, resources, and support to create impactful changes for Pennsylvanians with disabilities and their families. Thank you for making human dignity a priority and ensuring families like ours feel safe and welcome at the Capitol.
Pictured above: Family restroom with adult-size changing table at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Complet (left), adult-size changing table at Shaler North Hills Library in Glenshaw, PA (middle), adult-size changing table at Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA, (right).
Congratulations to the Rhode Island Chapter for their advocacy work, which led to a new law being passed in Rhode Island! The act, (2025-H 5611, 2025-S 0387), requires public buildings and places of public accommodation in the state that are building a new building or renovating to install an adult changing station, starting in 2027. For more details, see the press release. Follow the Rhode Island chapter's social media for more updates.
Pictured above: Diane Silva at the signing of the new law in Rhode Island.
Tennessee’s Adult Changing Table Grant offered through the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging continues to be utilized by libraries, science centers, medical and therapy centers, zoos, recreation centers, inclusive playgrounds, and churches across the state. Almost half of our Tennessee State Parks have installed adult changing tables, and TDOT continues to install them in TN Welcome Centers & Rest Stops.
We are hopeful that legislation passes this year requiring TDOT to have signs letting motorists know which welcome centers and rest stops are equipped with adult size changing tables, as well as publishing it on their website.
Follow the Tennessee Chapter's social media for more updates.
Pictured above: adult changing station with universal changing table at Natchez Trace State Park Visitor Center, Wildersville, TN, and Tennessee chapter leader Chrissy Hood, with daughter and self-advocate Alaina Hood.
Update from Chapter leader Bridgett Farmer:
While things have moved slowly, I am hopeful for significant improvements this year.
I have been working closely with representatives at the Utah State Capitol for the past two years. We have secured an onsite location and anticipate having a universal changing table installed before the end of the year.
Additionally, Logan City recently elected a new mayor, and several new businesses are under construction. I am focused on building a relationship with the new administration, as my previous requests were unfortunately denied by the former mayor.
I am optimistic that this will be a productive year for the Changing Spaces Utah chapter.
Follow the Utah Chapter's social media for more updates and to find out how to help!
The Virginia/DC chapter has come out of the gates blazing in 2026. Leaders have been working with the State building codes office to propose improvments to the Viriginia state codes. The new codes will require adult changing stations to be in new buildings of many different types, increasing accessibility and inclusion. State chapter leaders have petitioned the State Building Codes Board to consider adding additional buildings to the list, such as parks, medical facilities, and K-12 schools to serve students with disabilities. Keep an eye on Virginia chapter's social media page to see how you can support their efforts.
Changing Spaces VA/DC advocates also recently met with state representatives to support House Bill 1032, a bill that would require adult changing stations in new or renovated VDOT rest areas. Unfortunatley the bill did not pass, but the team is continuing to persue avenues toward requirements and/or grant opportunities for adult size changing tables.
Pictured above, left to right: Changing Spaces Virginia/DC advocates attend a meeting about adopting new state building codes, Justin Boatner demonstrates an adult changing table at the Wakefield Aquatics Center in Arlington, VA, a water-friendly adult changing table at the George Washington Rec Center in Alexandria.
Despite the Wisconsin chapter's best efforts, progress has been slow in the state. Here is a great news article outlining more details of chapter leader Sarah Knowles' efforts and the difficulties she faces in Wisconsin due to partisan gridlock.
Despite the difficulties implementing broader change, there were still some adult size table installations last year, including at Dane County Regional Airport, Appleton Public Library and West Allis/West Milwaukee Recreational Adult Program.
Sarah says she will continue to push for adopting building code in the state, and reach out to architects to educate them on the new code. She hopes to continue working on legislation, starting in early 2027.
Follow the Wisconsin Chapter's social media for more updates.
Pictured above: universal changing tables at Appleton Public library, Dane County Regional Airport, and the West Milwaukee Recreation & Community Services Department Recreation Center in West Allis.
Passionate Advocates Needed!
There are currently 27 states that have started a Changing Spaces Campaign chapter, and WE WANT CHAPTERS IN ALL 50 STATES! If you are passionate about accessibility, consider joining your state chapter, or starting a NEW chapter if your state does not already have one!
So...what IS a Universal Changing Table?
Height-adjustable
Most models are electric powered
Adult-size, with a changing surface of at least 30''x70'' for new construction, at least 23'' x 70'' for retrofits
Supports 400+ lbs for new construction
Has a safety side rail that locks in place when in use, and can swing down during tansfers. Some can also have a safety belt
Anyone who needs it can use it! Babies, small children, teens, and adults!
NO to laying on bathroom floors. NO to changing in public view.
YES to private, dignified and safe universal changing stations.
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