ADVOCACY FOR EQUAL FACILITIES
RESTROOMS FOR THE REST OF US
ABOUT Advocacy for Equal Rights (AEF)
Advocacy for Equal Rights (AEF) is a special interest group founded by students at the Dayton Regional STEM School. We aim to pass legislation in the Ohio State Congress that supplements the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in requiring adult changing stations for Ohio places of assembly. This legislation is required for thousands of Ohioans who are unable to fully enjoy life because there are no adult changing stations in places of assembly.
This would require a family sized restroom fitted with an adult changing table. These accommodations are necessary for people with disabilities requiring an aid to change them when using restroom facilities. Without these facilities, anyone with disability cannot leave their home and retain dignity when in need of a restroom. AEF seeks to solve these problems with our proposed legislation and give restrooms for everyone.
AEF was prompted to create this bill after Mrs. Jennifer Helton brought her son into the 11th grade government class at the beginning of 2014. Matthew, was born with a multiple disability’s that will require him to have a caretaker for his whole life. Due to this, he has to use a wheelchair and also requires assistance using the facilities. Matthew cannot go to the restroom with his own ability, which mean he must be changed. Unfortunately for people with disabilities, there are few adult changing stations. This prompted the creation of the bill, which would require regulations on adult changing tables.
Matthew’s Bill began as a class project for an eleventh grade government class. Now we have grown into a full organization. AEF seeks to pass this legislation into law, and require proper accommodations under the ADA.