Prior to having these facilities, family members needing assistance were changed on unsanitary floors, behind rest areas in all weather conditions, or in the back of a vehicle. Some were forced to go unchanged and sit in soiled clothing. Our project upgraded six rest areas to provide a safe, secure, and sanitary space that families need to tend to the basic care of loved ones.

Kristin Haar, the mother of a child who needs assistance, said, “These adult-size changing stations will open up Iowa to persons with disabilities who want to travel. They make a huge difference in many lives.”

Since these facilities are on the primary highway system, they do not address multi-modal access. However, they do allow a previously underserved audience the opportunity to utilize public facilities.