Valley arena adds changing tables for adults with disabilities
Jun 9, 2019, 4:03 AM | Updated: Jun 10, 2019, 9:52 am
(Gila River Arena Photo)
(Gila River Arena Photo)
PHOENIX – Gila River Arena in Glendale is the first arena in the state to update its bathrooms to include universal changing stations that can accommodate the weight of adults with disabilities.
“Honestly it’s just a dream come true for families like mine who now can bring our children or adults with disabilities out into the community,” said Nicole Anderson with Dignified Changes.
The organization behind the update, Dignified Changes, is a valley group geared toward making universal changing stations readily available in public spaces.
Anderson said the group formed when she and three other Valley mothers of children with disabilities began noticing their children out growing the traditional, baby changing stations.
“The rest of us kind of take our bathrooming needs for granted,” Anderson said. “For those that need special accommodations, honestly going out into the community and partaking in concerts or sporting events is a really difficult challenge and many don’t even go.”
Dignified Changes spent much of this legislative session working to push through House Bill 2113, which Governor Doug Ducey signed into law in May.
The new law requires universal changing stations in publicly funded establishments and added to establishments undergoing bathroom renovations of $50,000 or more.
“I’m hoping that this will be the norm moving forward,” Anderson said. “I mean, it’s just the right thing to do.
“By more and more establishments installing these types of tables it just allows for a much more inclusive environment.”
