TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Councilman Luis Viera is hoping to bring a change to changing stations.
Viera was inspired by the Instagram hashtag #squatforchange intended to show the need for more diaper changing stations in male restrooms. Dads have been posting photos of themselves in a predicament -- changing their children's diapers in a squat position. The hashtag has inspired a movement.
Now, Councilman Viera is hoping the city of Tampa will make changing diapers a little easier on dads.
On Thursday, he's presenting an ordinance to add changing stations to all future City of Tampa restrooms – for both men and women.
According to Councilman Viera's staff, the cost will only be a few thousand dollars (for the station and any additional space required).
The idea is that if the city is undergoing any new construction, it is common sense to include a changing station in all restrooms. Currently, Florida Building Code does not require this but the Councilman feels the City should be leading on this issue.
The Councilman has also explored adding changing stations in existing city buildings (where there is room to be added). That would cost about $64,000 and include about 150 changing tables in 60 locations. The Councilman has encouraged the City to look into this.
The #squatforchange movement started in 2018 when a Jacksonville father, Donte Palmer went into a restaurant to change his 1-year-old son.
“I looked around the bathroom, there were no changing tables. I got into my perfect man squat, threw Liam over my lap and began to change him,” Palmer said.
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