Note: This post continues our series on improving public accessibility by installing universal changing stations in key gathering spaces. See Part 1 here.
Museums are the custodians of our collective history and the incubators of our future creativity. Their primary goal is to tell stories that resonate with everyone. However, for adults living with a disability, the story is often interrupted by physical barriers that go unnoticed by the average visitor.
When we think of accessibility, we often focus on wheelchair ramps, captioning on video exhibits, or sensory-friendly hours. While these are vital, true inclusivity requires a 360-degree view of the visitor experience.
By following the concept of universal design, cultural institutions can identify and complete the often-overlooked facility upgrades that transform a museum from compliant to truly welcoming.
The Difference Between ADA Compliance & Universal Design
For facility managers and architects, it is crucial to distinguish between meeting regulations and meeting human needs.
- ADA compliance: The legal baseline that ensures an independent person with a disability can physically enter the building and access services (e.g., door width, elevator access, grab bars).
- Universal design: A philosophy that says public environments should be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible.
By following the concept of universal design, cultural institutions can identify and complete the often-overlooked facility upgrades that transform a museum from compliant to truly welcoming, ensuring that a visitor using a powered wheelchair, a parent with a stroller, or a neurodivergent visitor can all navigate the space with equal dignity and ease.
The Duration Gap in Cultural Institutions
One of the most significant metrics for museum success is how long a visitor stays. Unfortunately, there is often a duration gap between able-bodied visitors and those with mobility challenges.
The ability to remain in the building comfortably can be another challenge for people with disabilities
For caregivers assisting individuals with mobility challenges or disabilities, the length of a visit is often dictated by the restrooms. If a museum has world-class exhibits but lacks dignified restroom facilities for adults and older children, the clock is ticking the moment the family arrives.
The Caregiver’s Dilemma
When the necessary infrastructure is missing, caregivers must decide to:
- Cut the visit short: Missing out on exhibits or educational programs.
- Leave the premises: Exiting the museum to find facilities elsewhere.
- Improvise in unsafe ways: Changing a loved one on a restroom floor, which is unsanitary, unsafe, and undignified.
- Not to visit at all: Sadly, many people with disabilities will forgo visiting due to a lack of proper restroom resources.
Why the Restroom Is Part of the Experience
It may seem functional, but the restroom is an emotional touchpoint. Providing an adult changing station signals to a visitor: “We expected you, we value your presence, and we want you to stay.”
Leading institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the Field Museum in Chicago, and The Henry Ford museum in Dearborn, Michigan, have recognized this by installing universal changing tables.
Add Accessibility with an Adult Changing Station
As legislative momentum grows to require adult changing stations, it’s important to pick a solution with the right features to serve visitors. A truly inclusive facility includes adult changing stations that include:
- Powered height adjustability: Equipment that lowers enough for safe transfer and raises enough to be waist height to protect caregivers from back strain.
- High weight capacity: Standard baby changing stations cannot support older children or adults. Universal stations should support at least 500 lbs. (227 kg.).
- Hygiene-first design: Surfaces should be crevice-free and impact-resistant (rated IK10) to withstand high-traffic environments and rigorous cleaning schedules.
The Case for Inclusion
Investing in accessibility is not just a moral imperative; it is a sound operational strategy. The Purple dollar (the spending power of disabled households) represents a significant market.
When museums invest in adult changing stations and universal design, they:
- Extend visit times: Visitors don’t have to rush home.
- Encourage repeat visits: Visitors return to venues where they know their needs are met.
- Boost reputation: Museums are public-facing entities. Being known as a leader in inclusion attracts positive press, grants, and community support.
Making Inclusion Part of Your Story
When cultural institutions invest in “invisible infrastructure” — support systems unnoticed by the majority but critical to the few — they transform from places that merely educate and entertain into spaces that truly embrace the entire community.
At Koala Kare Products, the KB3000-AHL Adult Changing Station can help museums meet rigorous standards of safety, dignity, and durability. Inclusion isn’t an afterthought — it’s part of the experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are adult changing stations required in museums under current building codes?
While the ADA sets the baseline for accessibility, the International Building Code has evolved to include more rigorous standards. As of the 2021 and 2024 editions, the IBC requires adult changing stations in certain large assembly occupancies, often including large museums, science centers, and galleries with high occupancy limits. Even in regions where this code hasn’t yet been adopted, leading institutions are installing them voluntarily to future-proof their facilities and meet the higher standard of universal design.
Where is the optimal location for an adult changing station within a museum?
To maximize dignity and usability, adult changing stations should be located in single-occupancy family or companion care restrooms, rather than within gendered multi-stall restrooms. Ideally, these facilities should be centrally located near main exhibits or food halls to minimize travel time. For larger institutions, best practices suggest installing a station on each major floor or wing to ensure no visitor has to cut their experience short to find a restroom.