Due to the excessive heat and some work commitments, we haven’t had time to go on many adventures with Hazel, unfortunately. (Grandma and Grandpa did take her to this market last weekend when I was in Montreal for work!)


Today, I saw an opportunity to share great information with our readers. A mom posted this blog post in the Parents of Severely Disabled Kids Facebook group today. The post highlights the Universal Changing Table Map, which looks like a collaboration between many different individuals and non-profits.
I zoomed in on our home area of Central Florida and saw that the only crowd-sourced Universal Changing Table (let’s start to call these UCTs) was at the MCO airport in Orlando. I’ve flown out of this airport many times, but I’ve never actually seen one of these bad boys in action. Have you?
Clicking into the details on the MCO listing shows, “At least one changing table equipped bathroom is available on every concourse, on each level in every family/assisted care restroom, as well as pre-and post-security.”
Who can help us test this statement? Orlando now has three terminals (A, B, and C). This means there should be a UCT on every level of every concourse in each terminal. Who can verify?
I started searching for MCO’s UCTs and found a link to an Orlando Sentinel article from 2017 that references the Universal Changing Places group. This group is based in Florida and helps parents advocate for UCTs. I’ve reached out to them for more information, but notably, they offer ways to campaign for UCTs in your hometown. Next stop for The Hunsuckers….the Florida Mall! We will report back on the accessibility of this popular mall this weekend.
Also, I have to make this very important public service announcement. For those who are able-bodied, you may not realize that common etiquette is to avoid using the stall for those with disabilities unless it is the only stall open or you have a disability/are assisting someone with a disability. It is very frustrating to have to wait on the big stall when there are many stalls open for able-bodied persons. I know disabilities can be invisible, but please do not take a disabled stall if you do not need it! Ditto for using a companion care bathroom if you are by yourself. These are not private pooping chambers…
I swear I’ll stop talking about bathrooms soon, but for many families, not having access to a safe and dignified changing area means that they avoid these places…and that means businesses are missing out on 7.8% of the Florida population, according to Universal Changing Places!
And families and loved ones with disabilities, let’s keep adding to the UCT Map as we discover new UCTs in our area. Share this post to help other families find UCTs!
P.S. A plug for those with loved ones with developmental disabilities in Florida. One of the various hats I wear is the Director of Operations for the Special Needs Guidance Group, which helps families navigate the Florida Medicaid Waiver program. We have two upcoming free info sessions on the Waiver (July 3 and Sept. 25 at 6 pm EST). If you know someone who needs a better understanding of this program (parents, guardians, or providers), please share this link for more info and to register:
https://snggroup.org/events/