Popularizing Inclusivity in American Public Restrooms

Key Takeaways:
• Truly inclusive public restroom design goes beyond physical accessibility by incorporating sensory-friendly features, enhanced privacy, intuitive layouts, and touchless fixtures that support people with both visible and invisible disabilities.
• While upgrades such as universal changing tables and single-user restrooms require investment, thoughtful planning, available tax incentives, and grants can help offset costs and make public restroom accessibility more achievable.
• Consistent cleaning, proper maintenance, and low-cost improvements like better signage, staff training, and skin-safe products are essential to creating safe, welcoming public restroom experiences for all users.

Making public restrooms truly equitable means breaking down even more barriers.  

“Inclusivity extends far beyond minimum accessibility requirements,” says Srivastava. “Facility managers should consider sensory-accessible elements such as reduced noise levels, appropriate lighting, clear wayfinding, and sufficient personal space. [Along with] adult-sized changing tables, they should think about companion care spaces, family restrooms, privacy considerations, and intuitive layouts that reduce anxiety and confusion. As awareness grows around invisible disabilities and sensory needs, restroom design should support a broader range of users, not just those with visible mobility challenges.” 

What does this all look like in practice? Accommodating the neurodivergent community means taking restroom smells and sounds into account. Of course, good ventilation quickly clears some unavoidable restrooms odors. But facility cleaning managers should be mindful of strong cleaning chemicals, air fresheners, and scented soaps.  

“Scent sensitivity is more than an inconvenience or slight headache” shares Katz-Ouziel. “People can have very strong reactions. They might faint, vomit, or be unable to drive.” 

Skin sensitivity should also be considered when choosing hand soaps and sanitizers. People with sensitive skin may react negatively to scented or harsh products. Eliminate this barrier by choosing products approved for sensitive skin and displaying an ingredient list.  

Soap and towel dispensers present another opportunity for inclusive hygiene. People with muscle weakness or arthritis often struggle with manual equipment. But touchless dispensers, including touchless toilet flushers and sink taps, open restrooms to all.  

Members of the neurodivergent community and people with PTSD may react to loud noises and harsh lighting. Loud, unexpected sounds from hand dryers or buzzing fluorescent lights can overwhelm or elicit a reaction. That same harsh, fluorescent lighting can also be uncomfortably bright or create unsettlingly long shadows. Choosing quiet fixtures and warm lighting produces a more calm, restful experience and reduces sensory overload. 

Offering more privacy is one of the best ways to make restrooms more accessible. Nobody wants to feel exposed when using the toilet or urinal, but large gaps between stall doors, small urinal dividers, and short stall partitions compromise privacy. This can be a deal breaker for some, especially the more than 21 million people in the U.S. with paruresis. Restrooms that feature taller dividers with no gaps preserve privacy and uphold personal dignity. 

For examples of inclusive hygiene, look at Lincoln Financial Field where the Philadelphia Eagles play. The stadium features three newly renovated restrooms that include adult changing tables, higher stall dividers, warm lighting, and soothing music. The restrooms, located near an existing sensory room, are “exactly what a best-in-class fan experience looks like,” comments Srivastava.  

But the gold standard of restroom design, according to Katz-Ouziel, is “single-user, gender-neutral restrooms with one toilet and one sink.” He argues in a Greater Greater Washington article that these restrooms solve the paruresis concern. They also allow seamless gender inclusion, as transgender or non-binary people do not have to pick which restroom to enter. As single-user restrooms are usually larger, there is plenty of room for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.  or non-binary people do not have to pick which restroom to enter. As single-user restrooms are usually larger, there is plenty of room for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers.  

Costs of Universal Hygiene 

Renovating to create fully accessible restrooms will add costs. Universal/adult changing tables are not cheap, with prices ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 depending on the unit. St. Louis suggests exploring state grants, deductions, or tax credits for financial relief. She also points to the federal ADA Tax Credit and the Section 190 Barrier Removal Tax Deduction.   

Price also remains the biggest barrier to single-user restrooms, which cost two to three times more to build than multi-stall restrooms.  

“Retrofitting can be more expensive,” admits Katz-Ouziel. “But mindfully designing a new facility could mean they cost less.”  

Cleanliness, vital for any restroom, takes on extra importance for people with a disability.  

“It is important that these restrooms be cleaned and sterilized to help prevent disease or infection, especially the adult-sized changing tables,” cautions St. Louis. She suggests providing skin-safe wipes, table liners, or both. She also urges facility management to include air-tight garbage bins and sharps containers to protect facility cleaning staff.  

In the end, Srivastava insists that inclusion does not always require major capital investments.  

“Many improvements—such as better signage, sensory considerations, staff training, and thoughtful policies—can have a meaningful impact at a relatively low cost.” 

Amy Milshtein is a freelance writer with over 20 years of experience writing for various publications and blogs. Amy has been a frequent contributor to CleanLink and its family of brands—Facility Cleaning Decisions magazine, Sanitary Maintenance magazine, and Contracting Profits magazine.