Note: This post continues our series on improving public accessibility by installing universal changing stations in key gathering spaces. See Part 1 here.
Airports are gateways to the world, but for many travelers with mobility challenges, those gateways can also feel like barriers.
While most airports have made strides toward accessibility with ramps, elevators, and family restrooms, most terminals are still missing one essential feature: dedicated restrooms with adult changing stations.
These products, also referred to in federal legislation as a universal changing station, are a specialized space designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and dignified area for individuals with disabilities who cannot use a standard toilet. While the law is changing, the current gap in infrastructure leaves travelers and caregivers in a difficult position.
The Accessibility Gap in Air Travel
Travelers may need to manage long security lines, delayed flights, and limited restroom availability. Additionally, for adults and children with disabilities who require assistance with personal care, standard restrooms simply aren’t enough. Caregivers are left with the options of using the restroom floor or makeshift surfaces that are unsanitary, unsafe, and deeply undignified.
Without adult changing stations, these travelers may choose to avoid flying altogether, cutting off access to opportunities, experiences, and independence. By including a dedicated space with powered, height-adjustable adult changing tables, these facilities provide:
- Safe and hygienic travel for adults with disabilities and their caregivers
- Dignity and privacy during an essential daily routine
- Peace of mind that encourages more travelers with disabilities to fly
Why Airports Must Adapt: The FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024
Millions of adults live with a disability and many travel for work, family, or medical reasons. As airports compete to improve the passenger experience, adult changing stations are a powerful investment in accessibility and humanity that’s soon to be required.
Congress passed the Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2024, which requires all medium and large U.S. airports to install and maintain at least one universal changing station in their passenger terminal buildings.
The act isn’t just a suggestion — it’s a requirement for these airports to maintain their federal funding eligibility.
- Timeline for compliance: Guidance on comprehensive accessible design standards is expected by 2026. Airports have until fiscal year 2030 to meet the new requirement.
- Planning for the future: While the deadline seems distant, the planning, design, and procurement phase starts now.
There are thousands of airports in the U.S., and 500 of those are public-use and eligible for federal funding, according to the U.S. National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems. A little more than 30 U.S. airports, including Orlando (MCO), Chicago (ORD), Minneapolis (MSP), Phoenix (PHX), and Seattle (SEA), have already installed adult or universal changing stations, receiving widespread praise from advocacy groups and travelers alike.
While the FAA Reauthorization Act focuses on large hubs, smaller airports stand to gain a competitive edge by acting early. Accessible tourism is a rapidly growing market. By installing universal stations now, airports can market themselves as barrier-free hubs, attracting loyal travelers who prioritize dignity and safety.
Plus, when an airport is seen as accessible-friendly, these travelers, caregivers, and families are more likely to choose that hub, spending money at terminal concessions and duty-free shops. That turns adding a height-adjustable adult changing station into an investment for future revenue, not just a cost.
Is your terminal ready for 2030?
For those medium and large airports without an adult changing station, now is the time to get started. Moreover, it's more cost-effective to integrate these stations during scheduled terminal refreshes than to perform a rushed, standalone retrofit as the 2030 deadline looms.
To meet these upcoming mandates, Koala Kare’s KB3000-AHL Adult Changing Station is designed for the needs of high-traffic environments like airports. Features include:
- 500 lbs. weight capacity
- A height-adjustable changing surface controlled by buttons on the bed or the face of the wall cover.
- Integrated recessed height controls designed to withstand tampering
- 2” powder-coated, rust-free steel tubing
- An IPX4 rating, which means the unit can withstand significant exposure to water without damage to its electrical components
- A backup battery to guarantee operation even during a power outage.
- Smooth polyethylene changing surface, that is vandal-resistant and can be easily wiped down and cleaned
For airport facility managers, the IPX4 rating is critical because it allows janitorial teams to perform deep-sanitation routines without worrying about damaging the adult changing station. Similarly, the recessed height controls are vital in a 24/7 public environment where equipment is subject to high-frequency use and potential tampering.
Learn more about Koala Kare’s adult changing stations, from technical specifications and safety considerations to maintenance needs, and installation videos.
Read the Rest of the Series
- Part 1: Stadium & Arena Restrooms — Be a Fan of Accessibility
- Part 2: Museums & Culture Centers — Accessibility is Part of the Experience
- Part 3: Seasonal Attractions & Entertainment Venues — Accessibility Shouldn’t Take a Back Seat
- Part 4: Highway Rest Stops & Travel Centers — Accessibility Should Travel with You