Meeting Public Comments

Nancy Baker Curtis

I am a resident of Grimes, Iowa and registered voter. Additionally, I am the parent of a disabled child and child of a disabled parent. Until 2017 I didn't recognize the need for adult sized changing tables or companion restrooms as I had never encountered anyone with the need. In the last 4 years my life has drastically changed. My mother suffered a series of strokes that have resulted in her becoming a wheelchair user. Unfortunately, most handicap stalls in restrooms are small and located in a gender specific bathroom. This makes it impossible for my father and I to assist her in the stall along with her wheelchair. Furthermore, I have a 5 year old that continues to require diapering and no safe place to change him when in public as he surpasses the weight limit on toddler changing tables and cannot stand independently.I have decided to be the change and fight to #MakeIowaInclusive for all residents. I am a member of Changing Spaces Iowa and the Arc of Iowa. We are part of a national campaign to bring awareness to the need for adult sized changing tables bringing critical safety and access to thousands of disabled children, seniors and veterans. I have worked to bring an adult sized changing table to the Grimes Community Complex and to the City of Johnston city hall, and new town center. These changes in our local community are wonderful but they cannot benefit us when traveling outside our community for necessary medical appointments. My son Charlie and I drive to Iowa City for medical appointments. As we travel we are left with few changing options: the dirty bathroom floor or the back of a vehicle in a public parking lot. While the latter may seem to be a viable option, it is not. I must unload Charlie's wheelchair in order to have sufficient space to change him. In the winter or inclement weather it is a complete nightmare. It is not dignified, or private. It is not what any verbal 5 year old would choose. I ask that you support HF 33. Last year a similar bill, HF 2097, passed the Iowa House with unanimous support. It is a bill that would define the term adult sized changing table and locate them at critical rest areas throughout the state. These rest areas would serve as an access oasis for Iowa residents and disabled individuals traveling throughout our state. Charlie cannot speak. He is unable to wear a mask during this pandemic. He doesn't understand the danger that the coronavirus poses to him. Like many disabled children Charlie is oral seeking. He puts everything in his mouth. Imagine having to place your child on the bathroom floor because there is no place to change in privacy?Adult changing tables can meet the needs of a diverse group of users with special needs. Some users include:Adults and children with special needs: The convenience and safety of changing tables are ideally suited for adults and special needs children and students who can benefit from assisted changing.Physically Challenged Adults and Wheelchair users: Adults with mobility limitations and their caregivers find the versatility of adjustable changing tables especially convenient. caregiver and patient on adult changing tableElderly Adults: Adult changing tables make ideal changing stations for elderly adults who need assistance with clothes or adult diaper changing.Caregivers: Physically challenged or elderly adults are not the only people who benefit from adult changing tables. These amenities are also designed with caregivers in mind. Their ergonomic design makes it as convenient as possible for a medical professional or loved one to provide assistance without causing back strain or other injury, while also being easy to clean.

Brenda Hummel-Foreman [Valiant Wealth, LLC]

My name is Brenda HummelForeman and I am the advocate and mother to a daughter who has special healthcare needs. She is 13 now and is nonmobile and requires assistance with everything. Many times I have had to change my daughter on a nasty bathroom floor, on a picnic table, in the grass, in the back of my van or on a baby changing table that was way too small and not safe to hold her weight. Traveling, while exciting for most and done without much thought of restroom stops, is a nightmare for us. We often have to make difficult choices and not take my daughter places out of respect and safety for her. All because there are not standards in place for safe, respectable accommodations for ALL. It is not right. My daughter is around 60 lbs now and lifting her to and from the floor back into her wheelchair is not safe for her or me. In the summer, the back of the van is very hot as well. It is as simple as dignity for ALL. Please consider a day in the life!

Kari Tietjen [Iowa APSE]

I am writing to support HF33, as it will create more inclusive spaces for Iowans (and those traveling through the state). Thank you for taking this on and working to address the rights of those with disabilities.

Fawnn Briggeman

I am writing to urge you to support HF 33. Every human deserves to be treated with dignity. Lack of adult sized changing tables mean some of our citizens are not given that dignity. I want a more include Iowa.

Holly Messenger

As a mom of a child who may need diapering for the entirety of his life, this would be a game changer for us. We travel frequently two hours oneway for multiple appointments with specialists and having a safe, sanitary place for his diapering needs along the way is absolutely a necessity.

Joy Barlean

I am a mom of twin boys that both have Down Syndrome. They are now 8 and are 70lbs each and both still utilize incontinence products. We have struggled when we are out and about or traveling to be able to find a decent place to change them. I can no longer lift them and they are way beyond the weight and size capacity for an infant changing station. I have had to result to just changing them in the back of my van and this is really not ok. No privacy and as they get bigger, this even becomes harder and harder. It has really started limiting where and when we can go out and if there is a blow out we often just have to head home. This is not feasible when traveling and so I am so excited to see this bill! I am so excited that this bill is being proposed and considered! Please think about kids like mine and other disabled children and adults. And pass this bill!

Sarah Dodd

My daughter was born with a rare chromosome disorder in 2000. She is wheelchair bound and 100% dependent on me for all of her cares, including diapering. In these past 20 years I have changed her on more dirty public bathrooms floors than Id like to admit and now that shes older and bigger even that isnt feasible. Can you imagine laying out your 20 year old child on the floor of a public restroom and having people come in and out with no privacy for your child at all? So now weve been left with having to change her in our vehicle, which is too small and difficult and still not much privacy but better than a public bathroom floor. Having private adult changing tables in rest areas would be amazing and honestly seems like a nobrainer for anyone with even a shred of decency. Imagine if it was your child, or parent or loved one on that dirty bathroom floor. Thank you.

Chelsey Markle [The Arc of Southeast Iowa]

Adult changing tables are an vital aid. For adults, teens and older children who manage mobility limitations or incontinence, they provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable space for assisted changing. For caregivers, they provide a secure and convenient platform that reduces the risk of back strain and other injuries. This bill would ensure that Iowa invests in expanding community access our residents and those who would do commerce here and would provide the safety and dignity that all deserve.

Paula Connolly [Polk]

Good Morning! I am urging each of you to vote on HF33. I am the mother of a young adult with health and significant disabilities who is a wheelchair user. I also have lived experience being part of my parent's caregiver team, both wheelchair users, before their passing last year. The accessible standard requirements of most public restrooms do not meet the needs of my son. He has long outgrown the changing tables designed for babies and toddlers. Even our privacy choices are limited as well as inadequate. If he requires his brief to be changed, I can: a)use the Women's Restroom for a 30yearold male and change him on the floor; b) they have a family restroom so we can use this and change him on the floor. These choices become barriers to families such as mine to even be out in the community or to see family. The pandemic has demonstrated to everyone limited ability to see family and other people you love impacts your wellbeing. My family has been struggling with this level of impact and lack of accessibility for years. The year my daughterinlaw graduated from Havard, we wanted to celebrate this event as a family. None of us would have been able to fully enjoy or celebrate this family event if he was not there. Flying was not a good option for other health reasons. So, we traveled by car to Boston, changing my son behind RestStop Buildings in the grass, on a tarp layered with blankets, his Dad standing "watch" to ensure privacy. Twice we encountered rain and we struggled to be quick under a golf size umbrella. HF33 would lay the foundation for a change that has profound meaning, not only for my family but for others. The accessibility issue is across the age span. The requirements for adult size, height adjustable changing tables are an important factor. These requirements ensure flexibility. Although this is not addressed in HF33, I urge you to consider adding funding to this legislation. The purpose of the funding would be to raise public awareness and serve as a resource regarding the requirements. As a suggestion, this type of funding could go to the Office of Disability/Injury at IDPH. The work they do would align in intent and purpose. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.

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Paula Connolly [Polk] Polk] [Polk]]

Good Morning! I am urging each of you to vote on HF33. I am the mother of a young adult with health and significant disabilities who is a wheelchair user. I also have lived experience being part of my parent's caregiver team, both wheelchair users, before their passing last year. The accessible standard requirements of most public restrooms do not meet the needs of my son. He has long outgrown the changing tables designed for babies and toddlers. Even our privacy choices are limited as well as inadequate. If he requires his brief to be changed, I can: a)use the Women's Restroom for a 30yearold male and change him on the floor; b) they have a family restroom so we can use this and change him on the floor. These choices become barriers to families such as mine to even be out in the community or to see family. The pandemic has demonstrated to everyone limited ability to see family and other people you love impacts your wellbeing. My family has been struggling with this level of impact and lack of accessibility for years. The year my daughterinlaw graduated from Havard, we wanted to celebrate this event as a family. None of us would have been able to fully enjoy or celebrate this family event if he was not there. Flying was not a good option for other health reasons. So, we traveled by car to Boston, changing my son behind RestStop Buildings in the grass, on a tarp layered with blankets, his Dad standing "watch" to ensure privacy. Twice we encountered rain and we struggled to be quick under a golf size umbrella. HF33 would lay the foundation for a change that has profound meaning, not only for my family but for others. The accessibility issue is across the age span. The requirements for adult size, height adjustable changing tables are an important factor. These requirements ensure flexibility. Although this is not addressed in HF33, I urge you to consider adding funding to this legislation. The purpose of the funding would be to raise public awareness and serve as a resource regarding the requirements. As a suggestion, this type of funding could go to the Office of Disability/Injury at IDPH. The work they do would align in intent and purpose. Thank you for the opportunity to share my story

Paula Connolly [Polk] dfgdf [Polk]]

A bill for an act requiring the installation and maintenance of adult changing stations at highway rest areas.(See HF 492.)Subcommittee members: Meyer, A.CH, Bossman, Sunde

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installation and maintenance of adult changing stations at highway rest areas.

Paula Cons Polk] [Polk]]

no privacy for your child at all? So now weve been left with having to change her in our vehicle, which is too small and difficult and still not much privacy but better than a public bathroom floor. Having private adult changing tables in rest areas would be amazing and honestly seems like a nobrainer for anyone with even a shred of decency. Imagine if it was your child, or parent or loved one on that dirty bathroom floor. Thank you.

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your 20 year old child on the floor of a public restroom and having people come in and out with no privacy for your child at all? So now weve been left with having to change her in our vehicle, which is too small and difficult and still not much privacy but better than a public bathroom floor. Having private adult changing tables in rest areas would be amazing and honestly seems like a nobrainer for anyone with even a shred of decency. Imagine if it was your child, or parent or loved one on that dirty bathroom floor. Thank you.

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There must be adult changing stations at highway retreats and rest stations. I would suggest that if an individual finds it difficult to support this legislative action, that they contact a member of an Arc and ask to speak with a family that is dealing with this quality of life issue. I am sure that if an interaction with this family takes place, there will be a new understanding why this legislative action is needed. Thank you. Dick Owens

Paula Connolly kiloa [Polk]]

your 20 year old child on the floor of a public restroom and having people come in and out with no privacy for your child at all? So now weve been left with having to change her in our vehicle, which is too small and difficult and still not much privacy but better than a public bathroom floor. Having private adult cha

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