I, like many other parents, wrestle with the daily challenges of caring for a severely disabled child. My son, who is 11 years old, profoundly impacts my life and my heart. However, a dimension of our struggles that might not come to mind for most pertains to something as basic as attending to his diaper-changing needs. We don’t have a way to change him in public places, leading not only to significant discomfort for him but also restricting us from fully participating in our community.

Therefore, I am advocating for a requirement that all public buildings have special needs diaper changing areas. This change is not only essential for my son and me, but for all parents who are raising children with severe disabilities.

UNICEF acknowledges that children with disabilities are one of the most marginalized and excluded groups in society (UNICEF, 2013). By overlooking their basic needs like proper changing areas, we are further enhancing their exclusion. According to the US Census Bureau, nearly one in five people in the US have a disability (Census Bureau, 2012), indicating the urgency and widespread need for this petition.

The goal of this petition is to add a compassionate lens to our building regulations and policies, reflect our shared values of inclusion, and acknowledge that every person should have the right to access public spaces comfortably and with dignity.

Sign this petition and let's ensure that each child and family has the right to navigate their community without barriers.