4 days ago
Accessible restroom project moving forward at Ashtabula Arts Center
ASHTABULA — Several people gathered at the Ashtabula Arts Center Friday for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate to soon-to-start construction of an accessible bathroom at the center.
The accessible restroom will include a universal changing table, which is large enough to serve anybody of any size or background.
Ashtabula Arts Center Executive Director Lori Starling said arts center leadership are hoping to have the restroom done by the start of indoor theater show season in the fall.
'It's not just a bathroom,' she said. 'For those individuals that struggle finding places to attend because of their mobility issues, or anything else, it is a big deal, because they actually map out the route of where they can use the bathroom.'
Starling said to her, accessibility means anyone can come to the arts center and enjoy its programs.
'We want this to be an all-inclusive space,' she said.
Accessing an average public restroom is often not simple for someone who has mobility issues, Starling said.
'People that are coming through the area, even if they're traveling somewhere else, can actually look us up on a map, stop here and know that we have that universal changing table,' she said.
A portion of the funding for the construction, $45,000, comes from the state's capital budget.
Ohio State Senator Sandra O'Brien said she has been a supporter of the arts center for a long time.
'My children grew up here in theater,' she said. 'I tell people that the quality of our arts is pretty amazing, for the amount of people we have in the county.'
O'Brien said the art center's program allowed her children to become friends with people of all ages.
'Being in the same play together, they would laugh together,' she said.
O'Brien presented a certificate from the Ohio General Assembly honoring the arts center.
The Ashtabula County Board of Development Disabilities also contributed $20,000 to the project.
Board of DD Community Outreach Specialist Angela Thomas said the board also donated a universal changing table for the project.
Board of DD Director of Early Intervention Amanda Clugh said accessibility means that anyone can have a dignified space where they can use a restroom.
'With this restroom, if you're somebody that needs additional space, you could attend services, and have the space that you need,' she said.
Clugh said accessible restrooms are being implemented at rest areas across Ohio.
'Our county board has a changing table, and that's the vision we hope to see for the future that any restroom would be accessible,' she said.
