The Oklahoma History Center (OHC) agrees with the fact that all individuals, children and adults alike, deserve a safe, dignified and clean restroom experience. Assistance with this need is common for adults who are aging or have disabilities and other conditions. Because of this, the OHC has recently installed a universal adult changing table in its Family Restroom, located on the first floor, to accommodate individuals with a range of disabilities and medical issues such as muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s disease, paraplegia, cerebral palsy or those recovering from a stroke. Having access to such a table will provide a clean and safe environment, eliminating the unhygienic option of placing a loved one on a bathroom floor.
“We want to provide this amenity to families so they can extend their stays and won’t have to go out to their cars, or go home early, when a family member is in need,” said Dan Provo, director of the OHC.
In an interview earlier this year, disability advocate Audra Beasley was quoted as saying, “If we’re not planning for all, we’re not planning. We need to be asking ourselves what we are doing as great citizens of this state to hold the door for those coming in behind us, to build on the work of those before us. We need restroom access for all!”
The Oklahoma History Center is a division of the Oklahoma Historical Society and is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, National Archives and is an accredited member of the American Alliance of Museums. The mission of the Oklahoma Historical Society is to collect, preserve and share the history and culture of the state of Oklahoma and its people. Founded in 1893 by members of the Territorial Press Association, the OHS maintains museums, historic sites and affiliates across the state. Through its research archives, exhibits, educational programs and publications the OHS chronicles the rich history of Oklahoma. For more information about the OHS, please visit www.okhistory.org.