"This is not built for me": A qualitative study of adult-sized changing tables and public restroom accessibility

Adult-sized changing tables allow individuals with disabilities or medical conditions related to toileting to change with or without assistance. These tables are rarely found in public restrooms, and as a result, those who need them are often changed on floors, in vehicles, or are unable to stay in public spaces for more than a few hours.

This study aimed to understand how individuals who utilize adult-sized changing tables, or self-advocates, and caregivers for disabled people, access public restrooms and to report recommendations to improve inclusivity of public restrooms.

We virtually interviewed five self-advocates and sixteen caregivers in February and March 2023. We performed a qualitative analysis of the interview transcripts using MAXQDA 2022.

Four major themes arose during interviews: social consequences, health effects, caregiver effects, and inaccessibility of restrooms in the healthcare setting. All caregivers have changed disabled individuals in vehicles, and 11 on public restroom floors, experiencing guilt and stress, and often receiving injuries. Several respondents reported limiting intake of fluids or using suppositories to prevent the need to toilet during unavoidable outings. Respondents most need height adjustable changing tables in healthcare settings, airports, and large recreational facilities.

Without adult-sized changing tables, individuals with disabilities are forced to risk their health and dignity to utilize public spaces.