No Dignity on the Floor: A Human Rights Argument for Adult-Sized Changing Tables in Public Restrooms in the United States

Abstract

Many individuals with disabilities utilize adult-sized changing tables to take care of their toileting needs with the help of a caregiver. These tables are not explicitly required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and no legal case in the United States has yet addressed whether the ADA requires public restrooms to have adult changing tables. This paper draws on an analysis of op-eds and news articles published in the United States to explore how individuals with disabilities and their caregivers access public restrooms that do not provide adult-sized changing tables. These experiences demonstrate violations of the human rights to accessibility, integrity, and health as outlined in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Utilizing a human rights analysis, I argue that adult-sized changing tables are inherently the same as toilets and that providing one but not the other in public facilities may constitute discrimination under the ADA. Finally, I briefly explore promising initiatives that would increase access to adult-sized changing tables in the United States.