Disabled toilet etiquette
I'm sure Ouch readers are aware that disabled toilets aren't always used for purpose. Rather, in some cases they might be better labelled as 'extra store room' or 'reserved for use by famous rap star's posee.'
Speaking of which, I saw this in a café recently and caught it on my camera phone. I suppose in their defence they may have a very enlightened staff recruitment policy...
Comment number 1.
At 11th Sep 2008, Mhadaidh wrote:Personally , i have a different problem .
i am VI and sometimes use a white stick
I am quite often ushered towards the accessible toilet by attendants when i am waiting for the ordinary ladies toilet .
I actually can only use the
non-disabled toilets as the small cubicle means that the fittings are near to hand , especially imnportant at 'that time in the month' when one needs a certain bin
However explaining this to an attendant is not appropiate and rather embarrassing so i end up brushing them off by saying I am ok - to their bewilderment
any other VI ladies have this problem ?
and do VI gents prefer a stand-up urinal to make the 'aim' easier and have to explain this ?
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Comment number 2.
At 13th Sep 2008, bulekingfisher wrote:The disabled person's toilet in Acomb (subarb of York city) was used by drug addiacts/gule sniffers 2 years ago I complainned in the council offices with in 2 minutes and nothing was done I think one of them stole a key off a disabled relative
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Comment number 3.
At 15th Sep 2008, OldIronBaz wrote:I just want to know this is there please anybody out there who feels as strong as myself, as to the basic attitude by the able bodied world in using a disabled toilet. I went to our local theatre on Saturday 13th September, when I went to use the toilet twice, what did I find two abled bodied women using it, now after the day before at Tesco I found a abled bodied man walking out of the disabled toilet. Now my ground is simply this, if it was humanly possible I would use the gents, but that is not possible, now I if I could use the ladies with out being arrested I would use that, but simply I need to use a toilet of mine a disabled toilet which I am, yet abled bodied think there is a queue so I will pop into the disabled toilet, after all I am only in there for a few minutes what harm is it!, frankly is shows no respect what so ever and that is what makes so uptight and so very angry, if that toilet is for us , then us it is, time to make those who world I would like to return to again should be taught when they come out of a disabled toilet some good home truths.
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Comment number 4.
At 21st Sep 2008, smilingCloudy wrote:I wonder if you know that possibly the able-bodied person you see using the disabled toilet has in fact got a stoma. This would not be visible to you, but that person is entitled to use the disabled toilet in order to deal with changing his/her pouch or bag. Today I have been angry to find that a fellow colostomy patient was actually refused the use of a disabled toilet in a public place. He tried to explain his situation, but to no avail. He says he has got over it now, but I think there needs to be some public awareness of conditions which do qualify for using the disabled toilets. We are legitimately allowed to apply for radar keys.
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Comment number 5.
At 26th Sep 2008, OldIronBaz wrote:Fine but may I just ask this with respect greatly to their perosnal problem, I think if you go into a cubicle surely that is good enough why does a full disabled toilet require the use of changing a bag and yes I have to do that, but my plain crux in the use of disabled toilet is this if you can walk quite distance and other than having a few aching bones why do so many think it is a basic right to use a toilet which in essence design for those simply cannot use any normal toilet. Sorry I think disabilites are becoming very cloudy by so many who now say I got this I have got that and we have to then accept it is right for example to use a toilet when in truth a ladies or Gents toilet could meet their personal needs quite easily.
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Comment number 6.
At 28th Sep 2008, smilingCloudy wrote:I would be happy to use a normal cubicle if there was a washbasin in every one of these, but since there isn't, and I need clean water to remove any faeces and adhesive from my skin I am glad to be able to use the disabled toilet facilities. Obviously I don't need to do this every time I need a toilet, and in that case I am happy to use the normal cubicles.
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Comment number 7.
At 4th Mar 2009, admirableireland wrote:I have to use urinary catheters to drain my bladder,its not painful using them but I am in pain most of the time from having used them 5 to 6 times a day for 11 years.I don't mind using motorway services toilets as they are usually quite clean but I have been to uk seaside resorts where the public toilets were appalling.Sticking something into your bladder needs to be done in a clean environment.It was a toilet attendant in scotland who told me I was entitled to use the disabled toilet as I have items to dispose of.Before purchasing a key online from Radar,I e-mailed them to clarify the situation and was told I could buy the key including vat.There are 2 prices for the keys, one excluding vat for the dissabled and one with vat
for people not dissabled but with special needs
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