ADA requirements for baby changing tables

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. An important supporting document to that law is the ADA Standards for Accessible Design (ADAS). The current 2010 ADAS includes guidelines for construction of fixed accessible elements. One of those elements that must comply with the ADAS are baby changing tables.

Baby diaper changing tables are fixed elements and therefore, they must meet the minimum requirements for the basic accessible features in the built environment. While the ADA Standards do not directly address baby changing stations, they are still required to be accessible to people with disabilities. The 2010 ADAS include requirements for the basic features of baby changing tables including: work surfaces, operable parts, reach ranges, protrusion limits, approaches and clearances. 

Below are some of the requirements for accessible baby changing stations as they apply to the ADA:

• Baby changing tables must be located on an unobstructed accessible route at least 36 inches wide. 

• When the folding table is in a closed position, the highest operable part shall be located at 48 inches maximum above the finished floor. In most cases, the highest operable part is the handle.

• All operable parts of the baby changing table must be easy to operate without the need for tight grasping or twisting motion.

• When deployed, the top of the changing table surface shall be 28” -34” high.

• The changing stations must be able to accommodate a forward approach with proper knee and toe clearance below the table. Knee height clearance below the table shall be 27” minimum. Knee and toe depth clearance shall be 17 inches minimum (19 inches minimum in California). The clear width of the knee and toe clearance shall be 30 inches minimum. 

• When the changing station is in the open or closed position, all surrounding accessible routes must remain unobstructed. Meaning, the table cannot reduce the accessible route to less that 36 inches in any position. Also, the changing station shall not overlap with door maneuvering clearances at any time.

Other considerations for accessible baby changing stations

The requirements listed above are only some of the federal ADA requirements that may apply to baby changing tables. State and local codes may vary and/or change over time. For instance, the State of California strictly prohibits baby changing stations from being provided within accessible toilet compartments. The intention of this requirement is to keep accessible compartments open for people with disabilities to use the toilet facilities.

Consulting with a Certified Access Specialist

It is always advisable to consult with a disability access professional such as a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) when installing changing stations. A CASp will verify the planned design with all applicable accessibility codes and guide you toward compliance. In some circumstances (especially in California), the enforcing authority may require the installation of a baby changing station in an existing facility that cannot accommodate a fully accessible table without creating a financial hardship. In these cases, our Certified Access Specialists will work with our clients and the local jurisdiction to come to a solution that satisfies all parties. Contact one of our experienced CASp consultants today.