Being a parent can be hard enough. No one wants to change their baby’s diaper on a bathroom floor or in their car in a parking lot. But for many families in Asheville, this is an issue they face on a regular basis due to the lack of accessible and safe changing tables in public and customer restrooms.

It's important to our local economy to be inclusive of families, but parents and caregivers are often left with no choice but to change their babies in risky and uncomfortable conditions. This situation is inconvenient and can be anxiety-inducing, causing families to avoid many establishments or going out all together due to an atmosphere that lacks support and accommodations for this necessity.  

Being forced to improvise a less than ideal diaper changing area can be frustrating. There is also an inherit desire for privacy on behalf of your child when they are exposed in such a way. Here are just a few of my experiences that may resonate with you. 1. I found myself on the floor of a bathroom to change my baby at a ‘family event’ in a newly renovated casual dining spot. 2. I was in another bathroom where the changing table had clearly been taken off the wall and never replaced, leading me again to set up on the floor. 3. We went to a local establishment that advertised themselves as family-friendly, yet I found myself cleaning off a dirty table in a corner to make shift a changing table. 4. In another establishment, I had to go up stairs to use large chairs on a landing with no elevator access. 5. Finally, there are the times I had to change him in the trunk of my car, looking over my shoulder and hoping no one would take advantage of my vulnerability. 

We, the residents, workers, and visitors of the City of Asheville ask City Council to show bipartisan support for families by requiring that public and customer restrooms are equipped with safe and hygienic diaper changing tables. When a city is truly family friendly, it flourishes. 

View draft policy language here. This has been shared with City Councilors for feedback and collaboration.