JEFFERSONVILLE, Ohio — This afternoon, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, along with state officials and accessibility advocates, will celebrate the opening of a newly upgraded rest area on I-71 northbound in Fayette County. The facility will be the first in the state to feature a universal changing station, a significant step toward improving accessibility for people with disabilities.
The universal changing station includes a large, adjustable changing table, providing a safe and dignified space for individuals of all heights, weights, and mobility levels. This addition is part of a statewide initiative to enhance accessibility in public spaces.
The Fayette County rest area is the first of 29 rest areas in Ohio scheduled to receive universal changing stations by the end of 2026. These upgrades are a component of a broader effort to modernize rest areas across the state and improve the experience for the thousands of travelers who use them daily.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony will include leaders from the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities, and Changing Spaces Ohio, an organization that has been advocating for the inclusion of universal changing stations in public facilities.
