Michelle Cyca has had to change too many diapers on bathroom floors.
The mother of two (her youngest is in his peak diaper phase right now), says she finally had enough after having to change her child's diaper on the concrete floor of an Oak Street deli. So she decided to do something about it.
Earlier this year, she launched the very straightforward Vancouver Change Tables Map.
"Every time I take my baby to a restroom without a table I'd think I wish I knew in advance," she tells Vancouver Is Awesome.
"I think it's something that's happened to every parent at least once," she adds.
While restaurants have to have a bathroom of some sort, and most community facilities list whether they have washrooms (and other amenities), change rooms have slipped through the cracks it seems. This has left parents rolling the dice when they show up somewhere and need to change a diaper.
"You're flying blind when you're a parent," Cyca says.
Mom the map maker
The map is a fairly simple concept: Cyca has added locations with a green baby icon for spots with a change table open to anyone, while places confirmed as not having the amenity get a red "x."
The crowd-sourced map project is growing, too, as people can add their own observations. Anyone can submit changing table info via a portal on the map website.
"Somebody, a local hero, put all these breweries on the map," she points out.
She notes that the red "x" locations are as important as the green spots.
"Each 'x' is a place someone has been to and found themselves out of luck in a crucial moment," she explains.
'Children are just people'
Seeing the results so far has shown her the awareness people do - or don't - have regarding facilities for families and caregivers.
"I get there are places in society that you shouldn't take a crying baby but I often think people forget...children are just people," Cyca says. "They're members of society with all the legal rights as adults. If you can't take your kid places with you then you have to stay home."
She parents need to be prepared when dealing with a baby or young child, but a the same time being fully autonomous is an isolating version of parenthood, compared to a community-forward form.
A matter of equity: Changing tables only in women's washrooms
While most of the places are marked in red or green, there are a few that are yellow. They highlight one issue facing parents: changing tables mounted only in women's washrooms.
"It's still surprisingly common that change tables are only in a women's bathroom," Cyca says. "That's an equity issue with dads."
Another issue that she's noted is whether a spot is appropriate for adults who need to use diapers and change tables.
She's also had people ask about adding other items available for kids, like high chairs, or areas that are nursing-friendly.
"That's something we're thinking about," she says.
Cyca is hoping the map, in addition to helping parents and caregivers, will have an impact on public policy.
"My big hope is...it leads to more changes at a municipal level," she says. "To require change tables as part of bylaws and building codes."
