Columbus approves $25,000 to increase access to diaper-changing stations
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- To bridge the gap between diaper-changing stations available in men and women's restrooms, the City of Columbus approved $25,000 in grants to increase equal access at local small businesses.
The initiative, which is in its second year, is expected to pay for 152 new changing stations at 63 businesses. So far, the plan has already added more than 100 stations to men's restrooms, as well as gender-neutral and women's restrooms, throughout the area in its first phase. Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans said it's an issue that he has a personal connection to.
"I've got a little one at home, a lot of the other councilmembers have little kids," Dorans said. "If you have a little kid and you've had to change a diaper, you've known that there's not always an easy place to do that."
Despite the National Center for Health Statistics reporting that 90% of fathers who live with their children bathe, diaper, and dress them every day or several times a week, many public facilities only offer changing tables in women's restrooms, according to the council. Dorans said it's part of an "outdated mindset" and that they want to fix the disparity.
"We've kept up with how parenting responsibilities and expectations have changed, and while that has maybe changed for families, maybe when they're outside interacting with the rest of the world, it's a little bit slow to catch up," Dorans said.
Matt Lofy is the host of a podcast for dads, discussing topics regarding pro-father advocacy. The council credited his program with playing a big part in raising awareness of the issue. He said the idea to add diaper-changing stations throughout the city came after he had to change his son's diaper in his car during his second birthday.
"There were no changing tables," Lofy said. "After that, I asked my wife, 'I think I want to advocate for change and get more men's rooms and gender-neutral restrooms to have changing tables and easier access."
It's important to discuss these topics through the lens of fathers, according to Lofy.
"Primarily because fathers haven't been the ones in the household that have been the most active or supportive for this, that or, you know, whatever reason through the decades," Lofy said. "It's typically moms."
All of the changing stations will be purchased from Foundations Worldwide Inc., an Ohio-based furniture manufacturing company. Dorans said the city is casting a wide net for the businesses it chooses to get the stations, picking a number of nonprofits, restaurants and business centers. While it's primarily aimed at men's restrooms, the initiative will also add stations in gender-neutral and women's restrooms.
Now that the legislation has passed, Dorans said local businesses should start to see the changing stations arrive by the end of the year.