We know that universal changing tables are gaining real traction across public spaces. From museums like the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to civic spaces like the Akron Municipal Courthouse, more facilities are stepping up to include these essential amenities. It’s a clear sign that inclusive design is becoming an expectation—not an exception.
But installation is only part of the equation.
For many families and caregivers, the real challenge begins after they walk through the door. An adult changing table may exist somewhere in the building, but if it isn’t clearly marked, easy to locate, or known about by staff, it can be just as inaccessible as if it weren’t there at all. Accessibility doesn’t stop at simply providing the amenity—it depends on whether people can actually find and use it when they need it.
The Gap in Adult Changing Table Visibility
In many facilities, adult changing tables are installed with the right intentions—but the experience tells a different story. This gap is something both caregivers and facility staff encounter in real-world settings:
Kim Kirkwood, Co-head of the Ohio Chapter of Changing Spaces
While traveling with her son with disabilities, Kim urgently needed access to a universal changing table. After asking multiple airport employees, she was told none were available. With no other option, she had to change him on a public restroom countertop—only to later discover that the airport did have a height-adjustable adult changing table, but no one she talked to knew about it.
The Detroit Tigers
MLB’s Detroit Tigers experienced a similar issue when they recently installed an Ascent 70 adult changing table at Comerica Park. When Guest Relations Manager Max Pagano briefed the stadium’s 1,200+ staff members on the UCT’s location and purpose, many admitted they had never seen or heard of an adult changing table before.
But once they knew about it, their reaction shifted—and they wondered why the stadium didn’t already have more tables throughout the park.
Together, these stories highlight a critical gap: when both guests and staff lack awareness, even the most valuable accessibility features can go unused.
Why Are Adult Changing Tables Hard to Find?
One of the biggest reasons universal changing stations are so hard to find comes down to a simple oversight: the full user journey isn’t being considered. Too often, the focus stops at installation—checking the box that a UCT is in place—without thinking through how a guest will actually discover it, navigate to it, and confidently use it within the space.
When that broader experience is overlooked, key pieces fall through the cracks. The result is a disconnect between intention and reality: a space that aims to be inclusive, but doesn’t fully support the people it’s trying to serve.
The good news is that this problem is easily solved. With a few intentional steps, facilities can close the visibility gap and ensure adult changing stations are not just installed—but truly accessible. Read on to see how.
Making UCTs Apparent and Accessible
1. Clear, Consistent Signage
Signage is one of the most immediate and effective ways to improve visibility. Universal changing tables should be clearly marked at restroom entrances, included in main wayfinding directories, and placed at key decision points like hallways and elevator banks.
Using recognizable, inclusive symbols—rather than standard baby changing icons—helps communicate that the space is designed for a broader range of users. Signage should be visible from a distance and consistent throughout the facility so guests can easily follow it without confusion. In larger or more complex environments, digital signage and mobile apps can further support navigation.
This level of thoughtful wayfinding is increasingly becoming an expectation, with regulations like the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 emphasizing not just the inclusion of universal changing tables in airport terminals, but also requiring clear signage directing travelers to them.
2. Include UCTs in Wayfinding Systems
Beyond physical signage, UCTs should be fully integrated into a facility’s wayfinding system. This means including them on printed maps, digital directories, and any navigation tools available to guests. For example, the Detroit Tigers plan to take this a step further by aiming to place an informational sticker about where to find a UCT on every bathroom mirror—using an everyday touchpoint to increase visibility and help guests discover nearby amenities in real time.
They should also be easy to find before a visit even begins. Adding UCT locations to website pages like “Accessibility” or “Plan Your Visit,” as well as event guides and directories, allows caregivers to plan ahead with confidence. This is especially important in large venues like airports, stadiums, and museums, where finding amenities quickly can be challenging.
3. Staff Training and Awareness
Staff play a critical role in bridging the gap between installation and accessibility. Every employee—especially those interacting with guests—should know where an adult changing table is located and be able to confidently direct someone to it.
As Max Pagano from the Detroit Tigers puts it, “It’s great to have information on a website or chatbot—but that only works if people already know what to ask for. People don't know what to ask for if they don't know the questions.” In other words, accessibility can’t rely solely on guests seeking it out; staff need to be prepared to proactively assist.
Training should also include context on why these amenities matter. When staff understand the importance of UCTs, they’re more likely to respond with urgency and empathy. Incorporating this information into onboarding materials and accessibility training programs ensures it becomes a standard part of operations, not an afterthought.
4. Normalize and Communicate Availability
Finally, facilities should actively communicate the availability of Universal Changing Tables rather than waiting for guests to ask. Mentioning UCTs in pre-visit communications, accessibility statements, social media, and general announcements helps normalize their presence and increases awareness.
Max Pagano emphasized how impactful the Tigers’ social media platforms can be in driving awareness, noting that “there’s more engagement and a more immediate response” when information is shared there. With such a large and active audience, even routine posts can quickly translate into increased attention and participation.
The goal is simple: remove the burden from caregivers to search, ask, or advocate in the moment. When UCTs are clearly communicated and easy to find, they fulfill their purpose—supporting dignity, independence, and full participation for all guests.
Design for the Full Experience
Adult sized changing stations are about more than convenience—they’re about dignity, independence, and the ability for all guests to fully participate in public life. When these amenities are easy to find, users and caregivers can plan with confidence and stay longer without added stress. When they’re hidden, that same experience becomes limited and highly stressful, even if that’s not the intent.
Installing a UCT is an important first step—but it’s not the final one. True accessibility comes from thinking beyond compliance and designing for the full user experience.
Because in the end, accessibility isn’t just about what you provide—it’s about whether people can actually use it.
Ready to create spaces that truly support every guest? Explore our full line of adult and universal changing tables to bring accessibility and visibility into your facility.