MADISON – Today, State Representative Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa), State Senator Melissa Agard (D-Madison), State Senator Jeff Smith (D-Eau Claire), State Representative Jimmy Anderson (D-Fitchburg), and Representative Jonathan Brostoff (D-Milwaukee) introduced the Universal Changing Stations bill that would install adult-sized changing stations in certain public buildings and create a tax credit for small businesses to install these stations.
Rep. Robyn Vining said of the legislation: “At one of our very first in-district meetings with constituents in 2019, a mother shared her concerns about the lack of adult-sized changing tables in public places for people with disabilities. She shared that her son Matthew had been unable to go to basketball games, museums, and airports because, then at age 19, he had to be changed on the floor of public restrooms or in the back of their van. Access to changing stations is an issue of public health and of human dignity. We have a population of people in need who are going unseen because they are unable to participate in society. Since the buildings don’t work for the people, the people aren’t going to the buildings.
“These tables and stations are a growing reality in Wisconsin – businesses want to do the right thing and we’ve already seen community partners stepping up. This bill will allow state government to partner with the business community to ensure equal access for all Wisconsinites,” Rep. Vining continued.
Sen. Melissa Agard stated: “In order for families to live, work, and recreate in Wisconsin, we must make sure that our state is accessible to everyone. We all deserve the same access to public spaces, and access to bathrooms should not prevent anyone from being able to live their life to the fullest. No person should have to lose their dignity in order to leave their homes – no person should have to receive necessary care on an unsanitary floor.
“This bill is about doing the right thing to make our communities more accessible and welcoming for all persons. It is great to see folks stepping up to do the right thing, but it is time that the rest of the state gets on board. The time is now to make Wisconsin more accessible and safe for everyone,” Sen. Agard concluded.
