Requiring Adult Changing Tables in All Stadiums and Large Public Venues

Adult Changing tables
Requiring Adult Changing Tables in All Stadiums and Large Public Venues
Petition Text:
Across the United States, stadiums and large public venues welcome millions of guests each year- but many fail to accommodate individuals with disabilities who require adult sized changing tables.
For families and caregivers of children, teens and adults with medical needs, the absence of appropriate changing facilities creates serious challenges. Many are forced to change their loved ones on restroom floors, in vehicles, or avoid attending events altogether. This is not only undignified, but also unsafe and unsanitary.
While laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act have made important strides in accessibility, they do not currently require adult changing tables in public venues. As a result, countless individuals are excluded from fully participating in public life.
As a mother of a disabled five-year-old, the thing that comes to my mind every time I leave home with my daughter is; “where am I going to change her diaper?” With something so simple as attending a baseball game, football game, or visiting an amusement park, it has become something nearly impossible for our family.
With infants and young babies, it is easy to have the comfort to know that you have changing tables assessable wherever you go and even if you don’t, most people have strollers that are long enough to change their diapers on there. My child has outgrown infant changing tables, yet most public venues-including stadiums and amusement parks-do not provide adult-sized changing tables. This leaves us with no safe, sanitary or dignified option to care for her needs when we are out.
Because of this, we are often forced to stay home or leave events early. What should be joyful experiences are instead filled with stress, anxiety and exclusion. It makes me question whether I want to even leave my home. When I am just trying to give her the closest to normal life as I possibly can. NO family should have to choose between their child’s dignity and participating in everyday life.
This is not a rare issue-many families like mine face many common barriers every day. Accessible changing facilities are not a luxury; they are a necessity.
Last year for the NFL football season, my daughter and I were able to experience season passes to the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Although they had infant changing tables, I found myself needing to change my daughter on the ground, on top of a blanket. By experiencing this, it was hard for me to want to attend all the games. I felt like I was being forced to sell most of our game tickets, because I had to choose a day of fun for unsanitary environments when it came to taking my daughter to the bathroom. I was very disappointed because she really enjoys going to those games and loves the experience.
Some months have passed and it is currently baseball season. My family and I were fortunate to attend a game for the minor league baseball team the “Ontario Tower Buzzers” in Ontario, California. Being that this is a brand-new stadium, I had high hopes that maybe they wouldn’t disappoint us like everywhere else we have been. I was already stressed about how I was going to struggle to change her diaper at this venue. So, when the time came, we headed to the restroom, only to realize they had an accessible bathroom with an adult changing table. Right away with tears of joy, I smiled with ease the moment I seen it. This made me feel so happy knowing this brand-new stadium, which isn’t even an MLB stadium, was thoughtful enough to think of those with challenges. Those are the types of accommodations and joy we should expect in public venues. Families like mine are being excluded from public life. It is time for that to change.
With that being said;
We are calling on stadiums, event venues, and lawmakers to:
• Install height-adjustable, adult-sized changing tables in accessible restrooms.
• Ensure these facilities are safe, clean, and easy to access.
• Include clear signage so families can locate them.
• Update accessibility standards to reflect the needs of all individuals-not just some.

Everyone deserves dignity, safety and equal access to public spaces.
Below is a picture of the changing table at ONT Field in Ontario, Ca. A perfect example of what we need to see more of. Not only for my daughter, but for every caregiver and parent of a person with special needs.