Note: This post continues our series on improving public accessibility by installing universal changing stations in key gathering spaces. See Part 1 here.
For many travelers, hitting the open road means adventure, freedom, and discovery. But for millions of people with mobility challenges and their caregivers, road trips can quickly turn from liberating to limiting. The reason? A lack of accessible facilities along the way.
Highway rest stops and travel centers are essential waypoints for travelers across the country. They offer food, fuel, and restroom breaks. But too often, they fail to provide one of the most crucial elements of accessibility: adult changing stations.
More than 70 million U.S. adults live with a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and those in this group who need an adult changing station are faced with choices that undermine the very spirit of the journey.
The Hidden Barriers on the Open Road
For individuals who require assistance with toileting, whether due to a disability or a medical condition, standard accessible stalls are not designed or intended to address their needs.
When there’s no commercial adult changing station available, caregivers are often forced into undignified and unsafe solutions such as:
- Changing loved ones on restroom floors
- Returning to vehicles for makeshift solutions
- Skipping bathroom breaks altogether
- Cutting trips short or avoiding them entirely
When highway rest stops fail to accommodate all travelers, they send a message that some journeys aren’t meant for everyone.
The Ripple Effect: Families, Caregivers and Independence
As more facilities prioritize accessibility in airports, stadiums, and public buildings, the same commitment must extend to our nation’s highways. As public expectations increase for adult changing stations, legislation has also been proposed and enacted to support this movement.
True universal design (including adult changing stations) supports extending accessibility to every mile.
Consider a parent traveling with a teenager who uses a wheelchair or an adult caring for an aging parent. Without the right facilities, planning even a short trip becomes a logistical puzzle. Many families limit their travel or stick to familiar routes, not because they want to, but because a lack of proper toileting and changing options dictates their options.
When dedicated restrooms with adult changing stations are available, the road opens up again. Families regain independence. Caregivers find a sense of relief. And everyone travels with dignity.
The Case for Rest Stops & Travel Centers
By adding adult changing stations, highway rest stops and travel centers can:
- Meet the needs of millions of travelers
- Comply with evolving restroom accessibility standards
- Demonstrate a commitment to inclusion
- Enhance visitor satisfaction and loyalty
Highway environments demand equipment that is as tough as it is reliable. The Koala Kare KB3000-AHL Adult Changing Station is the workhorse needed for a 24/7 rest stop environment.
- Built for high traffic: The unit’s IK10 rating, 500 lbs. tested weight load, and robust construction with a steel frame ensure it can handle continuous, unsupervised use across all hours of the day.
- Maintenance: The non-porous, plastic changing surface is durable and easy to clean and even hosed down if needed, and no exposed controls or wires discourage vandalism.
- Safe Operations: The height of the changing surface adjusts at the push of a button to enable safe transfer between the station and a wheelchair.
For owners of private travel centers and service plazas, there are significant benefits to your business. The World Health Organization estimates that up to 20% of the global population experiences a disability, and this group’s spending power is in the trillions. Providing proper facilities allows travel center owners to tap into the so-called Purple dollar, the collective spending power of these families.
A Call to Make Every Mile Inclusive
By equipping highway rest stops and travel centers with dedicated restrooms for adult changing stations, we can ensure that accessibility doesn’t stop where the pavement begins. Because every traveler deserves dignity, comfort, and the confidence to go anywhere.
Learn more about Koala Kare’s adult changing stations, from technical specifications and safety considerations to maintenance needs, and watch installation videos. Plus, fill out the form to connect with your local Koala Kare representative to learn more about adult changing stations and their installation.