Cuyahoga County to install universal changing tables for equal bathroom access, Spectrum News 1
CLEVELAND — Emily Lark retired from her teaching job three years ago, to be a full time caretaker for her daughter Annika Lark.
“She is as spicy as every five-year-old is,” Lark said. “She’s five going on 15. We’re we’re a big fan of Taylor Swift.”
Annika started experiencing health complications a few months after her birth in 2019.
“They suggested an MRI, and that’s when we discovered that Annie has a condition called cystic encephalomalacia," Lark said.
Lark said they often struggle to find public restrooms that fit Annika’s needs. The Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities is aiming to mitigate this problem by awarding more than $100,000 for the installation of universal changing tables in eleven libraries and other community centers across northeast Ohio. The board reports provides support and resources thousands of people with developmental disabilities in the county each year.