The image of baby Jesus placed in a dirty manger—an animal’s feeding trough—paints a powerful picture of humility and rejection. Mary and Joseph had no other option, no proper place for their newborn, and Jesus entered the world in circumstances lacking dignity. This scene mirrors a modern-day reality for many individuals with disabilities who require personal care: caregivers often have no choice but to place their loved ones on the floor of dirty public restrooms because universal-sized changing tables are not available. Just as the manger was a symbol of neglect, a restroom floor represents a heartbreaking loss of dignity and respect for a person’s worth.
Placing a loved one on a restroom floor for basic care communicates, albeit unintentionally, that their needs and personhood are secondary in the design of public spaces. It strips away a sense of value and belonging, forcing individuals and their caregivers into undignified circumstances. This loss of dignity parallels the rejection Jesus faced at His birth—there was no room for Him, no recognition of His worth.
However, the story does not end with rejection. In the fields outside Bethlehem, shepherds were invited by angels to witness and worship the newborn King. These humble outsiders were the first to recognize and honor Jesus’ inherent worth, restoring dignity to what initially appeared to be a lowly and undignified situation. Their worship transformed the manger into a place of reverence and belonging.
In the same way, we are called to restore dignity to people with disabilities by recognizing their personhood and worth. One practical way to do this is by addressing the need for universal-sized changing tables in public spaces. By providing clean, safe, and accessible areas for personal care, we affirm the value of individuals with disabilities and their families. These changes send a clear message: every person, regardless of ability, is created in God’s image and deserves to be treated with respect and care.
Just as the shepherds honored baby Jesus, we can honor individuals with disabilities by creating spaces that meet their needs with dignity and love. Universal-sized changing tables are a small but powerful step toward recognizing the God-given worth of every person.
Raise awareness about the need for universal-sized changing tables in your community. Not sure where to start? We have you covered! We wrote a book called “The Tale of the Shrinking Toilets” to help people break the ice about this vital issue.
We also have an initiative to help you raise awareness. Check that out here.
When you are ready to install a universal-sized changing table we have a grant to help you with the expenses.
