GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — For those with disabilities, finding accommodations for long-distance travel can sometimes be challenging.
But in Grand Rapids, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport has expanded access to those in need of companion care by opening a restroom outfitted with accommodations like an adult changing table.
"Adult changing tables are for people who are above child's age who might have a caretaker or attendant," said accessibility specialist Jackson Botsford.
Working for Disability Advocates of Kent County, Botsford heralded the move and said the airport has often gone beyond what's required under federal law.
"They've been a champion of accessibility for quite some time," Botsford said. "And by implementing this small change, they're increasing the usability of their restrooms."
The airport says it consulted with the group when making their plans in order to maximize accessibility.
"It's our work with the Disability Advocates of Kent County that's really opened our eyes to the breadth of folks that we support from West Michigan," said the airport's engineering and planning director Casey Ries.
According to the latest tally from the Open Doors Organization, a non-profit geared toward accessibility for those with disabilities, 27 U.S. airports had adult changing spaces earlier this year.
The final product in Grand Rapids is one Botsford said will make a meaningful difference in ensuring everyone has equal access to the skies.
"Just providing this makes it so much easier to plan ahead while going to a particular space, in this case the airport, and it just is an improvement over what is currently usually available," Botsford said.
It's a move, Ries said, that was borne out of not just a sense of duty, but also a desire to help.
"It's our job to make sure they're comfortable and can use our facilities," Ries said.
"When we travel from West Michigan, whether you're old or young, whether you're able-bodied or not, we want you to be able to travel here and recognize that the facilities are not your barrier to travel," Ries said.
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