Ambassador Shari Cooper Talks Universal Changing Tables

In this episode of Ohio DD Talks, host Shari Cooper talks about the huge difference that universal changing tables are making for people with disabilities in Ohio. The adult-sized tables are being installed in public places across the state, giving people with disabilities more freedom and dignity when they need to use the restroom.

Shari is joined by disability advocates, local leaders and a parent who has experienced the struggles of not having accessible restrooms. Dr. Pamela Combs, who helps lead developmental disability services in Montgomery County, and Jennifer Corcoran, co-leader of Changing Spaces Ohio, explain how they’ve been able to convince businesses, government leaders, and communities to support this important project. Jennifer talks about how hard it was to take her son Matthew out in public because they couldn’t find a proper place to change him, which led her to start advocating for the universal changing tables and areas.

With Dayton, Ohio leading the way, the guests discuss how life is improving for people with disabilities because people's restroom needs are being met. Before, many couldn’t attend festivals, go to the library, or even work because there weren’t restrooms that met their needs. Now, thanks to efforts in places like the Dayton Art Institute, Dayton International Airport, and local libraries, people with disabilities can enjoy these activities without worry. Larry Strong, the facilities manager at the Dayton Art Institute, shares how the museum is adding a changing table and has also used mobile changing stations during big events like Oktoberfest.

Kim Kirkwood, another advocate, and Melody Burba, who works at the Access Center for Independent Living, talk about how Ohio’s efforts are becoming an example for other states. Melody shares her own experience of how difficult life was when she couldn’t find accessible restrooms, and how these new tables will allow her and others to live more independently.

This episode is all about the power of community advocacy, showing how working together can bring real change. Universal changing tables are giving people with disabilities the chance to be more active in their communities and enjoy the same experiences as everyone else.

Listeners can visit ddc.ohio.gov to learn more and stay updated on events and advocacy efforts.

Host: Shari Cooper, Ohio Developmental Disability Council Ambassador

Guests:

• Dr. Pamela Combs - Superintendent & CEO of the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disability Services
• Jennifer Corcoran - Co-lead of Changing Spaces Ohio & Program Consultant
• Larry Strong - Facilities Manager at Dayton Art Institute
• Kim Kirkwood - Advocate & Founder of Changing Spaces Ohio
• Melody Burba - Disability Advocate, Access Center for Independent Living

Key Topics:

• What is a Universal Changing Table?
  Universal changing tables are height-adjustable and accommodate adults up to six feet tall and over 400 pounds, ensuring dignity and safety.
• The Impact on the Dayton Community:
  Before these tables, many people with disabilities couldn’t attend community events, go to work, or travel without risking their dignity and safety. Now, with universal changing tables at venues like the Dayton Art Institute and Schuster Center, Dayton is leading by example.
• Advocacy and Change:
  Jennifer Corcoran and Kim Kirkwood have spearheaded advocacy efforts, from grassroots organizing to pushing state-level policies that have made Ohio a pioneer in universal changing tables.
• Ongoing Projects:
  Learn about upcoming installations at the Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Metro Library, and rest stops across Ohio. Plus, Montgomery County Board of DD’s role in providing mobile changing statio

Transcript

0:08

Hello, everybody. It's your girl Shari Cooper, Ohio Developmental Disability Council ambassador. You're listening to Ohio DD Talks ambassador edition. In today's show we will talk about universal changing tables — what they are, who they impact, and why Ohio has become a leader for installing them throughout the state. There is part one and part two to this episode where I'm going to speak with disability professionals, advocates, and even a facilities manager working to install a universal changing table at the Dayton Art Institute. So with that, let’s go! Let’s go! And today I want to talk about what Dayton is doing well, because I don’t know if you know, but Dayton rocks! So what, I've got a few topics to talk about. But today’s, topic is going to be about universal changing tables in the area. And today I've got two of my powerhouse women, you know, women rule the world. I've got Pamela Combs and Jennifer Corcoran. So I'm going to ask you two ladies to introduce yourselves, and Pam, how about you go first. All right. Thank you, Shari. I'm Doctor Pamela Combs. I'm the superintendent and CEO of the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disability Services. Thank you, Pam. Jennifer, can you introduce yourself? Good morning. My name is Jennifer Corcoran, and, I have a couple different roles when it comes to universal changing tables. I am the, co-lead, of Changing Spaces, Ohio, part of a national organization. And I am a program consultant with the Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disability Services. Once again, thank you ladies for joining me today. So, excuse me, I'm going to jump right in. So Jennifer, I know you are the champion behind it. So my first question to you, what is a universal changing table/area so everybody knows exactly what it is. Yes. That that's a very good, question. What is a universal changing table or area? A height adjustable adult size changing table is what we're talking about when we talk about a universal changing table. And, it's kind of similar to a baby changing table, except it holds folks that are six feet tall and over 400 pounds. And then an area like this is typically in a single use restroom, and has enough space so that folks can have enough room to maneuver if there's a wheelchair or if there's a caregiver, so that, that, activity can take place. Great. Thank you for that break down. Pam, I’m going to go to you. I want to know how was life for people with disabilities living in the Dayton community before the tables. What were they missing out on, such as work, exhibits and family outings? I know you would know this because you’re the super intendent. of our county. I just want to know, what did you see our community missing out on? So the Montgomery County area, Dayton, is kind of known for festivals, gatherings, the Oregon district. We have the Air Force base. We have, the Rose Music Center, the Schuster Center. So many things. I've loved moving to Montgomery County. Just — there's so many activities happening every single week. And these would be events that people we serve by the board, who might need assistance with changing, they would not be able to attend or have their restroom needs met without the universal changing table. So, so many activities. We also have a large parks system. We also have so many libraries and they're beautiful. The Dayton Metro Library organization is just phenomenal. And, their libraries and then all the community events that they host at those venues. So all of those would be places where someone before the changing tables would not be able to go in and have their restroom needs met. As well as we have really promoted employment for people who might need assistance, in the restroom. And since we've done this project, we've had employees reach out to us thanking us, because now they can go to work and go to the restroom, which sounds crazy that that wasn't happening before, but it was not. And you even think of, like, rest stops. the airport, we have an international airport and just places like that where we're used to traveling and being there maybe for hours waiting for a plane or something. And just the thought that, families and people we served before this project would not have had access to a restroom. I can't even believe we are really talking about that.‘Cuz when I think of not being able to use the restroom while I’m at work or somewhere, it just sounds like a civil rights issue. I know [laughter]. I can’t believe we're even talking about this. So Jennifer, I’m gonna pose the same question for you. I know you’re aspects might be a little bit different. So, before tables, you know, I, I said that I work with changing spaces and I work with the Montgomery County Board, but another hat that I have, which is what started me on this journey, was mother of three boys. And my youngest son, Matthew, is 23 and he needs these tables. So we have firsthand experience, what it's like. And, Shari, I agree with you 100%. It does seem like a civil rights issue. It's daily, I say, I cannot believe in 2024 we're begging for restrooms, that, that just really doesn't make sense to me, because there's so many folks that we speak to that hear us and make change. Like with the Montgomery County Board, you know, that's that's really where we started to see change in Ohio, was right here within our area as the board listened to the challenges and issues that we had and then did something they they, you know, went after funding and we have worked on all these projects to put the tables in and advocate. But then there's so many folks too that hear it and just don't seem to think it's, it's an issue or it's a big deal and maybe something that we should just have to deal with on our own. But what it means is, you know, always having that height of, worry and, stress, you know, going out into the public is a challenge because we have a lot of equipment and a lot of needs. And, you know, we need to think about and, and predict, but to not have a restroom, we always would go out just thinking we'll go, but in a few minutes we may have to turn around and come home, you know. Or, you know, we're at, a function, we were at, a graduation ceremony for my daughter in law from the police academy, and we're away from home, and he needs to be changed. I'm not going to make him sit there. So we're literally changing in my van, and it's so undignified. And it's so unsafe for me to lift 109 pound person. And I'm in a position where I can't even stand up. It's, it's very unsafe and it's undignified. So it's it stops us from doing what we want to do. And for a while, we just didn't go because I was afraid that we would need a restroom. Now there's tables. But we did finally make some decisions to say we're just going to go, and if we have to turn around and come home, we will. We've seen five minutes of a movie before. I want to go back to that again. Did you say to you would have to change your son in the van? Yes. Okay. Like, on the seat of the van or on the floor of the van? I used to change room on the floor in the back of my van when I could lift him from the floor, but I can't lift him from the floor anymore. And so now I'll use the back, the seat. But he is much longer than the seat, so it hurts his head and his feet have no place to go, and he can have seizures at any time. So I, you know, I have to be very careful that he doesn't have a seizure and roll off the seat. So it's usually changing him in the van at this time in our lives is just if it's an extreme emergency. Otherwise we would just come home and just go ahead and do it safely here at home. But he's been changed in the back of the van when it's 20 degrees outside and, it's freezing for him and or raining. I used to leave his wheelchair outside in the rain while I'm in the van, changing him. So then now he has to get back into a wet wheelchair. I just wanted to make sure that people heard that, that before the tables what people would have to go through. So thank you for repeating that, Jennifer. So I’m gonna go to my next question, Pam, I’m coming back to you. Which is, how did you — how did you, as an advocate for the Dayton community, get them to see the importance of the tables. I’ll make it a three-part question, too. Where are some of the tables going up, and are there plans to see more in the community? And, what part do you play in seeing the dreams of the tables in the community, and beyond! I want them to go, like, everywhere! So how we became advocates, Shari, is this was in the middle of the pandemic. Remember that horrible pandemic we went through? So I'm struggling as a superintendent just handling all of that. And one of our SSA’s said, you need to meet a mom named Jennifer, her son is served by our board. And I think, Jennifer, our first zoom was like 15 minutes, like I was so busy with everything else. And Jennifer and I zoomed and she—she mentioned universal changing tables. Shari, I have a degree in our field. I take ongoing coursework at a doctoral level. I had no idea of this need. I had not—I was not aware of this entire need within our community. And I remember she said this, and at some point I said, “wait, what are you saying to me? Like, explain that again?” And she did. And I just said, “what do you need? What can I do? Tell me.” And over the next few months, we came up with a plan and I said, you know, Jennifer, I'd like for you to be able to focus on this for a few years because I feel like we can change Montgomery County — maybe Ohio, maybe the world, and get this going! And this is something that needs to happen. So that's how I became aware and started advocating just by allocating resources for Jennifer to continue her great work. And so we approached our board of commissioners to use ARPA funding, those rescue funds coming out of the pandemic. We asked for $150,000 to put towards changing tables in Montgomery County. We thought that could do maybe ten tables and get a table to loan out to festivals. And that was Jennifer's kind of first projects were to work on that. We loan tables to the Ohio State Fair. They had never had a table. They're borrowing a table from little Montgomery County. We loan tables to the capitol building and Columbus for their events. They had never had a table. Now, both of these organizations have their own tables. Jennifer started reaching out to local businesses to see if we could fund a table in different locations. And slowly but surely, people started signing up saying, okay, we'll do a table. Some organizations paid for their own table, and they just use Jennifer's expertise and so we have stretched that first $150,000 immensely and just made such a huge impact in Montgomery County and then OACB. We were able to get Jennifer to have, and Changing Spaces Ohio to have a place at the superintendent conference. And I think that was really a tipping point in Ohio, because I knew that I wasn't aware of the need. And so many counties are financially blessed more than we are in Montgomery. And I thought if, if others can just see this and see the need, they'll do something about it. And guess what? The superintendents of the boards of DD across Ohio have done something about it, and they're installing tables, they're getting, vans and, and trailers that have those portable restrooms. They're lending out tables. And now it has just taken off to where Jennifer has trouble keeping up with even knowing all the tables that are out there. So we went from a handful in all of Ohio to dozens and dozens, dozens of tables spread across our state. And we're just so, so excited about that. Once again, that’s why I say Dayton rocks.‘Cuz think about it, if it wasn’t for Dayton, we took $150,000 and stretched it as far as it could be stretched. And now, look what’s going on. That’s why Dayton rocks. So, Jennifer, I want to go back to you with the same three-part question. Okay, so Doctor Combs did an excellent job of telling how it has really taken off here. I can say before before I started working with, with Doctor Combs and Montgomery County. I had been working on this since... Matthew and I had been working on it since, 2014, and intently. And we had, you know, we had three bills in the Ohio Senate. We had one in the House of Representatives. We were advocating we were doing all kinds of work. But it was really when we were working with Montgomery County, where we saw that tipping point, because we were bringing the message to folks, but nothing was being done. You know, there were people who saw that it was important, but there was no action. There was no funds, there was no programs or plans. There was no action. So now, like Doctor Combs said, I remember when it started to get to the point of people coming to me about tables for many years, I was it, I didn't I never met anybody else who would talk about a table. And then you hear about other folks having tables installed. At first it was a little bit hard for me because it's like, oh, okay, so this is spread, but that's why we're doing so well in Ohio. And I, I'm part of a national organization. And, you know, we talk about these tables all the time, and Ohio has taken off. And I truly believe and this is where it started, right here in Dayton, right here in Montgomery County. And it has spread and it's been beautiful. And we share that information across the other states as well, so that they can also have the success that we've been having. So can you tell me maybe, six places in Dayton where the tables are, and where maybe two more you think will be going up. Let me share the ones that already happened. And then Jennifer, can share the upcoming ones. So the, the Schuster Center, the Rose Music Center, the Dayton Metro Library, both in Huber Heights and downtown. As I mentioned, the Dayton International Airport, the Kettering Rec Center, Catholic Social Service, Carriage Hill Farms, Robinette Park, the Activity Center Park and so many other locations have looked at, and they use our loaner table where they'll, we have a portable table that we will deliver to events. Just, two days ago, clergy from the Greek Orthodox Church reached out about the Greek Festival coming up in September. We're constantly being contacted by community leaders wanting a loaner table for their upcoming festivals and events. And it's so exciting, like Jennifer said, to hear people talking about it now and needing it. And then another big thing is the governor — and I truly believe it's through Jennifer's advocay — agreed to install the tables at, was it over? 25 rest stops in Ohio and will be life changing, life changing for people living in Ohio and passing through Ohio. So, Jennifer, you can share the upcoming ones. Okay. Upcoming. We have the Boucher Museum and they are going to be fully accessible. They're doing the table. They're doing a lift. They're doing sensory. They're doing all kinds of wonderful things. Dayton Art Institute, Second Street Market is in progress right now. The Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Dayton Convention Center, the Hubor Heights Civic Center. And then we also have another library, the one that's out, right off of 35 out by, oh, kind of, close to the Montgomery Fairgrounds. Just spoke with those folks. They're very excited. And that may open up opportunity for another library as well. Libraries are wonderful places because they're—first of all, the folks, they soak in this information and they truly, they want to be accessible in all the different ways. And, plus the library's open usually into the night, so anybody can stop in at any time. So that, that really opens up the community. Because sometimes we think about specific places, but then I've started to move to maybe areas. So if, you know, we want to go bowling and they don't have a table, but the library across the street does, we can stop and then we can go bowling, which is a place that many of the day programs go to on a regular basis. So there is a large population that could use the table. Wow, this has really caught fire. Like the young kids say, the changing tables are fire! Fire in the good way. So this is just great. So I’ve got one more question. I’m going to go back to Dr. Combs. What will the tables/changing areas bring to Daytonians with disabilities lives? It's hard to even imagine a life without being able to go into the community and access restroom needs and, and just the change with not only the persons we serve, but their families, their providers, the entire community. And being able to go into the community, it really transforms a life. It transforms a community. And sharing that also makes me think, I believe it's up to 10% of the population at some point will need a table. So it's not just for people served with developmental disabilities, it's the aging population, which now the trend is to age at home, to age in the community. And there's many people out there who, whether it's because of an accident, a broken leg, a developmental disability, aging, maybe, cognitive impairments where they might need extra assistance, extra space, and a table to help with the restroom needs. So it not only transforms, people within our DD community, it's transformational, for an entire community and how it opens up, for people to live and to be part of a community. It's very exciting. Thank you. And Jennifer, I’m going to pose the same question to you. Yeah, it's what these tables will bring is peace of mind. You know, everybody. I feel that every person has something to add to the community and benefits the person to have something to add, and it benefits the community to gain what it is they have to add. And this allows folks to do that. Folks are staying at home, folks are not going into the community. And that is to me is a travesty. I just I can't even imagine. And so, I mean, there's recreation, work, exercise, general good health. I mean, these are all things that we get with in our communities. And I think that we all strive to have all of those within our lives. And these tables allow a much larger population to actually have that. And again, I go back to, it's so sad to me that we even have to think about this, that we even have to consider this. But it, it allows folks to get into the community, share what they have, and learn what they need to so that they can have a quality of life so we can live our lives. I totally agree, Jennifer. Jennifer, before we get out of here is there any final thoughts that you might want to add? Thanks, Shari. I love this project because it, and it's an example of local government staying relevant and being able to hear and respond to the needs of citizens in, in a manner, in a time frame that meets the need. And it's also a great example of advocacy and just what Jennifer has done as a parent and an advocate in seeking all the steps. And she kept having doors closed, but she kept advocating, waiting, and she kept advocating until she got to somebody who was able to get to some grant funding and was crazy enough to say, oh, let's do this during the pandemic. But we wanted to also focus on opening our community again once we were able to get back out. So just the relevancy of it, and the advocacy and then also just that it was able to inspire other counties. And it's not expensive. The portable tables are like $3,000, Shari. That's all a portable table costs. And it's just something that's very doable. Thank you Dr. Combs. Jennifer, any final thoughts? Yes. Thank you. I just want to say there are many things in life that we take for granted. And I think this is a perfect example. It's a restroom. And, you don't know until you know. And then, when you do, you have to come together and you've got to make the change and the advocacy that I've been doing, I have found when we go after some, maybe a particular place or an area or some something that we want to advocate for, I am truly—I'm truly taken over by the positive feeling that I get. People want to make positive change, and it takes us to come together to rally, to make that change. And sometimes, you know, even if we don't meet the goal, the mission, and get the table in that one particular place, I love it because we make so many connections and we educate. And then it empowers people to have a voice. And that's what we need. We need to have a voice because obviously people didn't use their voice before because we wouldn't be in 2024 and not have restrooms. I understand it's a touchy area. Not everybody wants to talk about the restroom, but, you know, it's what we talk about all the time at this point. It's what you get used to. But we have to have a voice and we have to use it, and we have to work together to make the change. And I can say that we, Matthew and I are so very thankful that we have gotten to where we have because of what's been happening with the county and within Dayton. If we could continue to part two of our conversation on universal changing tables/areas. And I’ve got three great people to introduce to you. I’ve got Kim Boulter, Larry Strong and Melody Burba. But I'm going to let them give you a little bit of background on who they are. Larry, can you tell everybody who you are and what do you do? I sure can. So I’m in charge of the facilities. I'm the facilities director here at Dayton Art Institute. I've been here going on five years — responsible for the facility, for its cleanliness, its climate structure and then building any projects that we have going on. We get a lot of projects funded by donors, state funded federal grants and such. Most recent was, Shari helped us with a study. It's been a couple of years now. We did accessibility studies, and she came through and we toured the whole place and she helped us identify areas that we can improve on to allow people to be able to, to come in on scooters or devices and help them get around. That's when we ran into Jennifer at Montgomery County and she introduced a changing table, told us all about her personal needs and such with her son, and that she goes into spaces and they don't have a facility to help her navigate with her son. And so we, we looked real hard at spaces we have in the museum to see what we can do to accommodate a, a universal changing table. So that's when we got our architects involved. And they, they looked at all the spaces, all the restrooms, and we finally came up with a plan to take our family restroom and change it into a restroom that can accommodate those that need a changing table. And thank you, Larry. I sit on the facilities committee for the Dayton Art Institute, so I really love what they’re doing. Melody, I’m going to go to you. Melody, can you just introduce yourself and tell us where you work? Sure, Shari. My name is Melody Burba. I work at the Access Center for Independent Living, which is a disability advocacy area. And we work specifically with individuals with all types of disabilities. Can you tell the world, how was life for people with disabilities living in the Dayton community before tables? Like, what were they missing out on? We were missing out on community events. We were missing out on parties — just about anything you could think of. We were pretty much eliminated. I'm excited to hear about the Dayton Art Institute because I have never been able to get to it due to my mobility needs and my restroom needs. So I'm really excited to hear about the changing table. Well, I know that there are a lot of people who are going to be a lot safer and a lot more—feel like they have more dignity. Because I've heard of horror stories where people put sheets up over the van so that they can meet bathroom needs. So I'm excited to hear about the changing table. So, by you working at an independent living center, it may help a whole lot of people in the Dayton community be able to just go out and have fun. I’m going to give my age away here. I moved to Dayton before there were any public restrooms that were accessible. So, I was totally dependent on getting back to my apartment, to my home, in order to do the bathrooming I needed. Wow... Wow. Well changing tables and accessibility, period, as far as bathrooms has really come a long way, would you say? Yes, I would. Kim, can you introduce yourself to the Dayton community? Yes. I'm Kim Kirkwood, and this is my son, Aiden. Aiden's 11, and he has cerebral palsy and some medical conditions. And before I had Aiden, I was just totally unaware of some barriers, you know, barriers all over our community for people with disabilities and people who have different medical conditions. And he really open my eyes. And he's my inspiration for all the advocacy work I've been doing. And a few years ago, Jennifer Corcoran and I partnered up to form Changing Spaces, Ohio, the Ohio chapter. And we also work with our national organizers and chapters across the United States. I think we have 27 state chapters now, and after meeting Jennifer, we just started advocating all over Ohio. And, just, we've had a lot of really great progress happen. And we have a lot of great momentum happening for more accessibility in restrooms in general. And we're just really excited about all the positive changes we've had. So Kim, I’m going to go back to you‘cuz I’ve already asked the other two guests, how was life for people with disabilities living before the tables. What were they missing out on? Oh, gosh. I mean, people, who need a changing surface when they're out and about were, and still are, because there aren't enough of them yet. We want to keep building more and more places that have accessible restrooms, but prior to having any changing tables available, just missing out on all kinds of things that other people may take for granted who don't need an accessible bathroom or don't need a changing table. So missing out on sporting events, going to the movie theater, going out to dinner or out to lunch, shopping, just... and I if you can imagine that there's not a single restroom anywhere outside of your house, then you might be able to picture what your life would look like and where you would go and where you wouldn't go, because it's too far away and there would be no where to use the restroom. You may not work. You may not decide to work outside of the home. If you can't, you know, work at an eight hour stretch and not use the restroom. I don't think anyone can. You might not go to that movie or go to that sporting event. Go see that play or any of those community events that we all want to enjoy and live our best lives. So now we're starting to have a few accessible restrooms around each of our major cities in Ohio, and the opportunities are starting to open up. So like I took Aiden for the first time to Nationwide Arena in Columbus because they installed two universal changing tables, and we got to go see an awesome show around the holidays over his winter break. And he loved it. I didn't know if he would like it or not because I'd never taken him to something like that before, but he really liked it. So it was it was great. I'm so glad you painted that picture so people can visualize that. If they know where to go to the bathroom, you just don't go because, you know, that's showing everybody that no matter where you live, everybody takes bathroom breaks. So thank you for painting that picture. I’m going to go to the next question. Melody, I’m coming back to you. How did you advocate to the community to get them to see the importance of the tables? I was, I was involved in a lot of the meetings to get educated. And then I shared some of the stories that I mentioned earlier, and I also shared how my aging process is actually made me more the dependent on some of the accessibility features. I literally have to change in my power wheelchair in public, if I wanted to go anywhere at all, even now. And sometimes that’s not really feasible because the stall was not big enough for me to tilt the chair and use all the functions that I have. So I'm still limited, even with the wheelchair accessibility that I do have. Wow, that is so important to hear. That's a dignity thing too. Everyone should be able to go to restroom and have their accommodations that they need to use the restroom. So Kim, I’m going to come back to you. How do you advocate in the community, and I can say even state and nationwide? Even though this is a Dayton thing, it’s going viral, it’s going well. So how did you advocate for Dayton? Yeah. So when we first started advocating, Jennifer and I weren't sure the what the most effective strategy would be, whether we should just go to, you know, our local parks district and local businesses and kind of let it spread from the bottom up or whether we should, you know, go for the gusto and go to our big state agencies. And, you know, kind of try to get it to go top down. And so we just did both. And so we met with, you know, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities. And they immediately became our allies and been super supportive. And we had the opportunity to present to all of the county boards of developmental disabilities to let them know that this is a barrier for us to participate in the community, not only for my son Aiden, to participate, but everybody in his circle. You know, me, his mom, his dad, his little brother. You know, most of the time you do things together as a family. You don't want to leave your loved one behind to just go, “well, you stay home. We're going anyway.” But that doesn't, you know, happen. he's coming with us or we're all staying home, so we did a little bit of both. We went to our local, you know, places where we would like to be able to go, like, you know, local bowling alley, mall or, just different places. Jennifer came to the Dayton Art Institute to bring it to them and try to gain allies. And we gain some really great allies at the state level and at the county level. And those people who had never even had this brought up to them before were like, “oh, of course, you know, this would be a barrier, but I just never thought about it.” And so now we have a lot of county boards working to make their own counties accessible with installing, changing tables in their county board buildings. Installing them, you know, reaching out to businesses in their area to encourage them to install changing tables that are universal size, and also investing in mobile units that are, you know, able to be brought to outdoor festivals and farmer's markets and fairs and things like that, that can be temporarily placed there and then brought back to another location like a park. So we've just been kind of hitting it from all angles. Melody... Thank you, Kim. Melody, I'm going to go back to you. What is the independent living center diubg as far as advocating for tables. We, have a lot of different advocacy groups that we're working with, like, OOTF, which is the Ohio Olmstead Task Force. They're helping us advocate. And, just, every organization I can link in to. So changing tables and the importance to our community and to our inclusiveness, because unfortunately, many of the able-bodied public do not recognize that not everyone has a care provider there with them at all times, day and night to assist. And I myself have no care providers. This table buys me a way to continue to live independently without care providing at this time. Thank you. So Larry. I’m gonna come back to you. You already told the audience that the Dayton Art Institute is going to install a changing table. Can you tell us when that will be? And can you also tell us tell about the Octoberfest? I LOVE the Octoberfest. I happen to go every year, but the last two years it has been great because you have had a mobile changing station. Can you tell us more about it? Sure can! We have a family restroom in our lower section of our gallery that we decided to modify it, expand it, so we can add a universal changing table in that family restroom. We had, like, two other restrooms, like taking one of our larger restrooms, but those are more either a men's restroom or a women's restroom. So we have to modify it so much to give them a private space, like create an entrance and then cut them off from the other utilities. But then they also need a sink, other things that are accommodated in those restrooms. So we looked hard and looked at the family restroom which already has a commode and a sink in. It already has a, an accessible door. So it has an ADA door on it already. The only complicated part is, Shari’s been in here before, but our restrooms are really swanky— have a lot of, mosaic tile, ceramic tile and such. So the biggest challenge is to, we have to expand this restroom. And also, we have to match this, this tile. Now, the tile isn’t over 100 years old, but it’s unique tile to the museum. So that has been the biggest challenges, to match the tile. So it's been a lot of, a lot of homework for us and the contractors and the architects. So we finally have a design that's going to work. We have the contractor picked out. He’s now making purchases of all the materials that will take. Then, we'll get him scheduled in here. But our deadline is to have this done by the end of the year. And, with help of Montgomery County, they are funding most of this for us, which does help because all projects are from funded sources. But it's private donors, grants and federal funding and such. So it's been working out to where we're not taking a lot out of our pocket to make this work. But, we're most excited to offer this to people like Melody and Kim with her and her child. And, like you guys have said, there's places you can't go into because they don't have proper restrooms and such. So, it's it just it brings tears to my heart knowing that you guys are limited to where you can go. So, I'm excited to know that we can offer this for you guys and Melody, Kim, whoever — you come into this building, look me up. I'll. I'll give you a private tour of the place. He really will. I can vouch for Larry. He’s a cool guy. Will you give me his name and number because, believe it or not, I am in the neighborhood! So I am really excited. I will give you his name and his number. Larry, before you get off the topic, please tell us about the mobile table at Octoberfest. Yes! So last year we had a tent set up. You can't miss it because the tent was purple. the other tents were white. And so, and Montgomery County, again, helped us with the mobility set up in this tent, gave you a private space, had a changing station. And it's kind of neat because it's like kind of a demo to what we're going to have. And so we had a lot of comments and such, even, we let people go in there to change infants diapers and such. So it really accommodated well. It, it stood out so that when people came in and we recognized their needs and they said, “hey, we do have a tent, a private tent. You can't miss it, it's a purple tent by the building. So it is exciting to know that we offer that for something like Octoberfest, which is a big date and party. And, like Sheri said we work so hard to put this on, but I enjoy it once it's set up. I just enjoy people coming in and see the excitement on their faces and just enjoying, some good, feel-good music and good beer. So, we don't we don't open the museum up, as you can imagine, letting thousands of people in to the building that maybe have had too much to drink [laughs]. So it presents its challenges, but, yeah, we're excited. Again, this year we'll have that tent set up. We may put it in a more secluded area. I just felt like where we had it set up, it was kind of a a spotlight for those, so I'd rather see it be tucked in a corner somewhere so that you have you feel like you have a little bit more privacy. So we're looking at a better spot for that for this year's Oktoberfest. And, I just want to add, I actually went both years when they had the mobility station. And the purple is very cool. It’s kind of futuristic and gives you that 70s vibe. I felt real cool inside the tent. I actually took a picture of myself sitting inside the tent. So thank you DAI for that, because they were really cool. So, Kim, question. And this is a question that just came up. Do you think tourism will increase in the disability population because of the changing tables? Oh, absolutely. I think, you know, if we think back to Covid days, when, you know, and this is kind of to our, you know, able-bodied audience, that we were used to be having freedom to go anywhere we wanted and travel. And then suddenly in Covid, we didn't, you know, we we stayed home. We didn't go anywhere. We got isolated. We all felt a little depressed and disconnected from everyone else. And then when all the restrictions started to, sort of, be lifted, there was a big snapback of travel. You know, suddenly everybody was traveling because you held it back for so long and you just had to get to those places that you've been wanting to visit, but you couldn't go. I think it will be the same feeling for people that have never been able to go travel, you know. Do a road trip across the state to visit relatives, or just explore their own city or a neighboring city, because they knew they would either be faced with not having a restroom and having to do something makeshift, in their vehicle or on the ground, that compromises their dignity. Or, have an accident and just not be comfortable and have to go back to the their hotel. So now that they will have the freedom to use the restroom at different places, I think it's going to be like, everyone who has been held back for so long will want to go and travel and go to all kinds of places they've never been. So cool. It’s gonna open it up a world—whole new world. That's so cool. So I have come down to my final thoughts. So Melody, are there any final thoughts you’d like to add on the topic of universal changing tables/areas? Any final thoughts? Well, actually, Kim opened me up a perfect spot. Thank you Kim for mentioning Covid, because everyone during Covid kept saying “how are you doing? How you doing it?” I finally shared with them,“my life is not changed. Covid didn’t change my life or impact my life.” Being secluded, I was already prepared for that. So that's the big thing that the people without disabilities need to remember when they make comments about the accessibility, or having a changing table and being able to go out. That's the impact. Because, when Covid came, it was no different for me. I was already living a life of seclusion. So that's the importance of working on all accessibility. And I'm gonna say, thank you for doing this, Kim. And make sure that Shari sends me how to get your app, because I definitely want to get it out to my community that needs it. Sure. It's actually not an app, it's our website. And our website is www.changingspacescampaign.com. And if you want to see all the activity we've been doing, specifically here in Ohio, you just add at the end /Ohio. Okay. And if you want to see our map, which is the map that I created. I've been inventorying or keeping an inventory of all the changing stations we know of across the country and then adding them to the map. You can visit that either through our website that I just mentioned, clicking the map icon. Or go directly to the map at www.utmap.com, which stands for universal changing table map.com, utmap.com. We hope you

enjoyed this episode of Ohio DD Talks: 54:33

Ambassador Edition. I want to give a special thanks to Changing Spaces Ohio, the Dayton Art Institute, Montgomery County Board of Developmental Disabilities and advocate Melody Burba for sharing their stories and advocating for accessibility in our state and beyond. To listen to more episodes, and to get great advocacy content and events, visit our website at ddc.ohio.gov Thats d-d-c-dot-Ohio-dot-gov. I've been you know Shari Cooper. It’s been my pleasure. As I always say, peace out!