Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, alongside officials from the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities and the Ohio Department of Transportation, marked a milestone in the state's push for greater accessibility with the unveiling of the first in a series of planned universal changing stations at Ohio rest areas. Located in the newly redesigned I-71 rest areas in Jeffersonville, the installations cater to individuals of diverse abilities and mobility levels, providing a clean and private setting inclusive of an adjustable table for safe and dignified use. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's office cited DeWine's hope that "these universal changing stations and others we will be installing across the state will encourage new possibilities for people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers as they travel Ohio."
Kim Hauck, Director of DODD, stressed the importance of such amenities in promoting inclusion for the state's differently-abled population. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's office reported that Hauck emphasized the commitment to "creating spaces that welcome and support the diverse populations that make up our communities." The plan includes 29 stations, with 17 more set to open this year and an additional 10 by the end of 2026. Meanwhile, Change Spaces Ohio's co-leaders Kim Kirkwood and Jennifer Corcoran applaud Ohio's leadership in incorporating universal changing facilities and offer an interactive map to locate such equipped public spaces across Ohio.
These efforts are part of the DeWine Administration's broader initiatives to advance accessibility. Last year, DODD funded the installation of 136 universal changing tables across 42 counties. This is part of a sweeping vision to ensure that Ohio residents and visitors, who may have met the limitations of physical capability with great courage, can venture without apprehension inward into museums or outward across fairgrounds, from rural to urban settings, as they find the facilities attuned to their exigencies, corridor by corridor.
Complementing the functional enhancements, the I-71 rest area in Jeffersonville also underwent an aesthetic transformation, including a nod to the state's heritage with memorabilia from the National Barber Museum & Hall of Fame. According to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Transportation Director Pamela Boratyn's comments encapsulate this spirit of progress, reinforcing that "these accessible restrooms promote freedom and accessibility for people with disabilities and their families." Moreover, strolling through a Storybook Trail on the premises becomes an added charm, especially for the younger ones enticed by Dolly Parton's Imagination Library book "There’s a Hole in the Log on the Bottom of the Lake."
The unveiling of the new universal changing station and the ribbon cutting of an upgraded rest area symbolize Ohio's hospitality and commitment to creating hospitable environments that invite explorers and passersby alike to discover what the Buckeye State holds within its borders. Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, referred to Ohio's redesigned rest areas as exemplative of the state's welcoming nature, providing travelers with "a sneak peek at all the Buckeye State has to offer." According to Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a media kit, including soundbites and footage, is available for more information and a look at today's event.
