Universal Changing Table for Adults with Disabilities in Minnesota

Access to safe and dignified restroom facilities is a vital part of accessibility for adults with disabilities and the caregivers who support them. For individuals who require assistance with diapering or personal care, universal changing tables provide a secure, private space that supports safety, comfort, and dignity. In Minnesota, this need has been formally recognized through changes to the state building code that require adult changing facilities in new construction.

This article explains Minnesota Building Code section 1109.2, outlines how adult changing facilities are being incorporated into the Minnesota Accessibility Code, and highlights how hygiene solutions such as SPC disposable underpads support clean and safe changing environments in public buildings.

Minnesota Building Code 1109.2 and adult changing facilities

On May 24, 2023, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed into law a requirement that the Minnesota State Building Code include provisions for adult changing facilities in new building construction. Rather than relying on a standalone statute, Minnesota addressed adult changing access through updates to its building code, ensuring that accessibility is integrated into future development.

This approach helps standardize adult changing facilities across qualifying buildings and embeds accessibility into the design phase rather than treating it as an optional feature.

Rulemaking and implementation through the Minnesota Accessibility Code

The Department of Labor and Industry’s Construction Codes and Licensing Division is responsible for implementing the new requirements through expedited rulemaking. These updates add adult changing facility requirements to the Minnesota Accessibility Code.

The rulemaking process uses the 2024 International Building Code model scoping language and the proposed 2023 A117.1 Accessibility Standard as its foundation. Draft language for the updated A117.1 standard was unanimously approved in 2023 by the ANSI A117.1 Committee, reinforcing broad professional support for adult changing facility requirements.

What qualifies as an adult changing facility

Adult changing facilities incorporated into the Minnesota Accessibility Code are intended to support individuals who require assistance with personal care beyond infancy. These facilities are designed to accommodate adults safely and privately, addressing needs that are not met by infant-only changing tables.

By aligning state requirements with nationally recognized accessibility standards, Minnesota helps ensure consistency in design, safety, and usability.

Which buildings are affected by the code changes

The updated requirements apply to new building construction subject to the Minnesota State Building Code. As new public buildings are constructed, adult changing facilities will increasingly become part of standard restroom design.

This approach focuses on long-term accessibility improvements by ensuring that future buildings include appropriate facilities, even if existing buildings are not immediately retrofitted.

What this means for accessibility in Minnesota

Minnesota’s decision to address adult changing facilities through the building code represents a significant step forward. By embedding requirements into construction standards, the state helps prevent accessibility gaps from continuing into future development.

Adults with disabilities, older individuals, and caregivers benefit from increased access to safe, dignified personal care options in public spaces, particularly as new buildings come online.

Where adult changing tables may be found

As the updated building code provisions take effect, adult changing tables are expected to appear in newly constructed public buildings throughout Minnesota. Government facilities, civic buildings, and other public-facing structures subject to the state building code are among the locations where access will improve.

Adult changing tables may also continue to appear voluntarily in hospitals, airports, convention centers, and newer private developments that follow updated accessibility standards.

Hygiene considerations in shared adult changing spaces

With adult changing facilities placed in public restrooms, hygiene remains an important concern. SPC disposable underpads offer caregivers a practical way to maintain cleanliness during diaper changes and personal care tasks.

These underpads create a clean, absorbent barrier between the individual and the changing surface, help manage leaks, and include a waterproof backing that protects the table for the next user. Using SPC disposable underpads supports safer and more sanitary changing experiences in shared public environments.

Why building code changes matter

Addressing adult changing facilities through building codes ensures that accessibility is treated as a core design requirement rather than an afterthought. This approach helps normalize adult changing tables in public spaces and reduces reliance on voluntary adoption alone.

For caregivers and individuals with disabilities, these changes support independence, dignity, and fuller participation in everyday public life.

Looking ahead to accessibility in Minnesota

Minnesota’s building code updates place the state among leaders in adult changing facility access. As rulemaking progresses and new buildings are constructed, adult changing tables will become increasingly common across the state.

By aligning with national accessibility standards and embedding requirements into the building code, Minnesota has laid a strong foundation for inclusive, forward-looking public design.

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