The International Code Council (ICC), an organization that develops the standards for safe and sustainable buildings, approved a change to restroom standards to include a requirement for gender-neutral bathrooms and facilities, according to LGBTQ Nation.
The changes were recommended by the American Institute of Architects and the National Center for Transgender Equality. Two proposals were introduced and approved: the first requires all single-stall restrooms to be gender-neutral, and the second allows for multi-stall gender-neutral facilities, including shared sink areas with private stalls.
“The American Institute of Architects is proud to have taken a proactive public stance to ensure bathroom accessibility for all,” Robert Ivy, the AIA’s EVP and CEO, told LGBTQ Nation. “As architects, we are responsible for the health, safety, and welfare of all citizens in the built environment. With pragmatic solutions, we can better serve and accommodate a variety of community needs. The code proposals are but one step in the right direction to enable access for all.”
These changes will make restrooms more accessible not only for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, but also for those with disabilities and small children.