Universal Changing Tables

Universal Changing Tables

Universal Changing Tables

Variety KC isn’t afraid of a little bathroom talk. In fact, the more we recognize the barriers that a traditional bathroom set up can present, the better chance we have to overcome those barriers.

Fact – families who have a member needing help with toileting are hesitant to go out in the community (away from a preferred restroom) for more than 90 minutes. That means exclusion from sporting events, family gatherings outdoors, plays and theatre, and travel.

The solution is a universal changing table. It’s an adult sized table designed to hold over 300 pounds. It allows caregivers to safely assist with bathroom needs for those who are unable to care for themselves. These tables are vastly preferred to the traditional method of placing a person on a floor for changing. There’s no dignity in being out in the open on a dirty floor. There’s also an increased risk for caregivers who have to lift and navigate grown children or adults from the floor back into a wheelchair.

Lack of safe, sanitary toileting is a reality for roughly four percent of the population. It touches every demographic and crosses economic lines. One population particularly impacted is that of military veterans. In addition, when a person with a disability runs into this barrier, it also excludes caregivers and entire families who avoid places where there is no access. Something as simple as installing a universal table means inclusive access for so many children and adults. It’s comfort, safety, dignity, convenience – and it’s one more step in making a community inclusive for all members.

There are several Universal Changing Tables around KC

Children’s Mercy Hospital

Children’s Mercy Kansas City Adele Hall Campus – 2401 Gilliam Road, KCMO
(ground floor across from the gift shop)
The lobby is currently under construction but the restroom is already built and available by the temporary entrance to the Emergency Department

Children’s Mercy Hospital Kansas – 5808 W. 110th Street, OPKS
(next to the Chapel)

Children’s Mercy Kansas City Broadway – 3101 Broadway Boulevard, KCMO
(on the ground floor near the Roaster, on the north side of the large waiting room near the main entry)

Kansas City International Airport

Two universal changing stations are in the restrooms closest to the middle of Concourse A and Concourse B. Each are located in a large and private family restroom.

1 International Square, Kansas City, MO 64153

Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts

One in First aid and one on 2nd floor in Family Restroom

1601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108

Monarch Stadium

Legends Field Men’s and Woman’s Resatorrm and First Aid

1800 Village West Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66111

This is just a start

Help us make Universal Changing Tables the new normal. Donate to Variety KC to make this positive change a reality!

Proud Partners

Communication Boards

Communication Boards

Communication Boards

Thank you for being a part of the #InclusionRevolution

Below are links to download and print our Communication and Sign Language boards. To learn more about Variety KC visit our about page or see how we help. Visit the get involved page to see how you can help! #InclusionRevolution

Find Out How to Get Involved

Volunteer for Variety KC, become a sponsor, champion a fundraiser with our support, or make a donation.

Variety KC Harness Café

Variety KC Harness Café

Variety KC Harness Café

Grand Opening:

December 13th, 2019

 

Location:

Discovery Middle School in Liberty, MO

Video: KMBC 9 News

The Need

Children with special needs, and all children, benefit tremendously from inclusive real-world experiences that isn't affected by their disability. That's why Variety partnered with Discovery Middle School in Liberty, MO to create the Harness School Cafe!

"Ultimately, this is about inclusion, " said Dr. Kendra Gagnon, a professor of physical therapy with Baylor University. "It's not about environments for special kids."

- Source: KTKA - ABC

 

What it Includes

The Harness School Cafe is equipped with harnesses to allow students with wheelchairs and walkers to move around freely within the space.

 

Additional Details

Variety Children's Charity of Greater Kansas City announces the first-ever "Harness School" Cafe. This innovative concept allows middle school students who use wheelchairs and walkers a chance to stand upright with their hands-free to fully participate in their school coffee shop. This allows them to practice job skills such as taking orders and serving coffee, integrate real-world math skills by operating a cash register, and socialize with their peers at eye level for the first time ever, all while gaining the therapeutic benefits of standing and moving on their own.

The Variety KC Cafe's served Roasterie coffee on Friday, December 13th, at Discovery Middle School in Liberty, Missouri from 8:00 - 9:30 am.

Join us to see what's possible when students get out of their wheelchairs and interact with "customers" alongside their peers - upright, hands-free, and eye level.

Available interviews:
Dr. Kendra Gagnon, PT, Ph.D.; Professor of Physical Therapy
Deborah Wiebrecht, Executive Director of Variety KC- Funder
Parent of a child using a harness

Interviews are available by request after the grand opening as well.

This is the next step in Variety KC's introduction of Harness Systems for kids with special needs.

First, Variety introduced pop up harnesses to Child Development centers.
Then, Variety outfitted the new BE Smith Family Center with the ceiling transport harness throughout the center.
Now, Variety is working with Liberty School District to bring 2 Harnessed Cafe's into Middle Schools.
In the Future, Variety hopes to bring the harness system into real-life workforce situations.

For more information:
Deborah Wiebrecht
Executive Director
P.O. Box 3446 | Shawnee, KS 66203 | 913.558.2309

Proud Partners

Find Out How to Get Involved

Volunteer for Variety KC, become a sponsor, champion a fundraiser with our support, or make a donation.

Harness System Innovation

Harness System Innovation

Harness System Innovation

Enliten Harness System – BE Smith Family Center

full building harness system

Variety KC is bringing a one-of-a-kind therapeutic experience for children with special needs in Kansas City. For the first time in the nation, the new BE Smith Family Center, which houses the Lee Ann Britain Infant Development Center, will have the most
complete track harness system to ever be installed in a facility. Variety KC’s harness system allows a child with special needs to move up and down, side to side, right and left, backwards and forwards, down to the ground and back up…just like all other kids.

To bring the system to KC, Variety KC worked with Ralph Cope of Enliten LLC, designer of the adaptive therapy track harness system.

Other mobility devices (gait trainers, walkers, lite gait harnesses) create barriers for social inclusion, but at the new B.E. Smith Family Center, there will be multiple classrooms and therapy spaces outfitted with this harness system.  Now, for the first time, a child with special needs can freely move everywhere within their environment, hands free, like never before!

The result is safer for the child, safer for therapists and caregivers, and according to Dr. Ann Modrcin of Children’s Mercy Hospital, a Variety KC board member, “this will change how therapy is delivered in the future.” It is so empowering for these kids who don’t normally experience the world from this position. We have installed portable systems before, but this will serve the entire building, particularly the feeding tube therapy room where being upright is the preferred position.

FIRST EVER 3D Printed Prosthetic Arm

FIRST EVER 3D Printed Prosthetic Arm

FIRST EVER 3D Printed Prosthetic Arm

child's 3D printed prosthetic limb in the world

hours of coding and printing

Innovation Changes a Life

•December 2017

The Need

Four-year-old Hudson needed a prosthetic arm. However, prosthetics are usually very expensive and children’s prosthetics are rarely covered by insurance.

The Solution

Variety KC and volunteers at at the STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math) Studio at Gould Evans Architecture Firm created a 3D prosthetic arm for 4 year old Hudson.

As prosthetics are usually very expensive and rarely covered by insurance, the 3D printing solution is both innovative AND affordable.

If you want help getting a prosthetic print you can contact Variety KC, as we continue our mission of helping Kansas City Children be Active, Be Social and Belong.

Featured

Variety Kid

Hudson

Four-year-old Hudson needed a prosthetic arm. However, prosthetics are usually very expensive and children’s prosthetics are rarely covered by insurance. The solution can be a 3D printing solution is both innovative AND affordable. For the first time in Kansas City, Variety KC underwrote this ground-breaking effort as volunteers at the STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math) Studio at Gould Evans Architecture Firm created a 3D prosthetic arm Hudson. Hudson even got to pick the colors! Help change the lives of other kiddos like Hudson. If you want help another child get a prosthetic print, please donate so we continue our mission of helping Kansas City Children be Active, Be Social and Belong.

Find Out How to Get Involved

Volunteer for Variety KC, become a sponsor, champion a fundraiser with our support, or make a donation.