Wasn't allowed to use disabled toilet despite the fact no other toilet was available. AIBU?

Changing places toilets aren’t normal disabled toilets. Changing places toilets aren’t as commonplace as disabled toilets. Many places don’t have one at all.

We use CP toilets with DS1. I know of a couple where they brought in a similar system and are strict about who they let in after significant damage on more than one occasion. Such damage means they can’t be used by those they are intended for. That is why they are closely guarded.

The complaint should be on the other toilets being closed rather than not being allowed to use the changing places toilet.

Disabled loos are for those disabled. You could have used the men’s loo. 🙄

If there were a dune or some other way of concealing myself, I would probably have just squatted down and had a quick wee. I run a lot (and maybe lack the dignity of others') but I've often gone behind a hedge, bush etc.

If your friend has a long term condition then they may be deemed disabled - may be worth them seeing what help is out there if needed. Eg i believe passes can be shown that mean more immediate access in shops etc.

But now imagine that your friend desperately needed that toilet, and someone was in there for no other reason than they didn’t want to queue…. That’s the point I’m trying to make. The radar keys are for those with a genuine need. Not just advising anyone to buy them.

I couldn't get a blue badge for my hip issues because I could have an operation at some stage. Luckily I had also stenosis of the spine which did tick the right box. Femoral collapse didn't apparently.

Once both hips are done and I become mobile again I won't need a disabled loo, unless my back goes, which it has done before. So I'll use the ordinary loo. Luckily I'm using sticks, crutches at the moment so no tutting going on by members of the public.

Those are different types of accessible toilets. They have expensive equipment in them like hoists and adult size changing beds. They're regularly vandalised or sadly some homeless people have no choice but to sleep in them. There was also some idiotic love island "star" who did a live post about how good they are for having sex. Standard practice for these toilets is they get cleaned after every use and to check the equipment hasn't been damaged or not put back on charge. As it was this type of toilet, I can understand why they have strict rules.

I know, as I know someone with one. When its full, you need instant access to a loo!
Its not on their website but I've heard (aforementioned hospital) people talk about cp loos as for stomas too.

But Changing Places are specifically for those in chairs who need hoisting. The complaint here should be that the public toilets were closed to everyone.

You would need extra space and bins to deal with a stoma. Having a stoma doesn't put you in a wheelchair but it is perfectly justified to use a disabled space

Life lesson there. Lie next time....or have the same problem.

Just out of interest, did you manage to find somewhere else to go?

They'd be assessing whether you are in an electric wheelchair etc, or have certain other conditions.

'Changing places' are big and fancy as they have space enough for large wheelchairs, hoists etc. They are expensive and not very often sorted out/installed ( i know this as I've been involved with a hospital group trying to sort them out), so id agree with them they shouldn't be used by everyone.

However if normal loos are out of order, they should be accessible to all....or even better, other loos should be fixed ASAP. Some of us with lesser disabilities can't walk around town looking for a different one.

Agree. Ds is disabled and we bought a radar key. I do get pissed off realing off his conditions and wonder if others would like to tell me about their private medical history. I'm very much more "none of your business" the last time someone told me he looked fine, he was three. That really pissed me off on so many levels.

This.
Also, the way accessible toilet locks are designed, it’s hard to tell if someone is already in there (the red dot is unreliable) so you’re running the risk of opening the door on someone who’s already in there. And that’s horrifying for anybody, let alone if they’re physically disabled. I’d imagine people who are actually eligible to buy one from one of the schemes would be aware of the etiquette here unlike Tom dick and Harry.

I say YABU(ish) as it is a changing places facility and not just a public toilet. If it was a regular disabled toilet, then I would have definitely said YANBU. There is expensive equipment in there like hoists and an adjustable changing table. They are very few and far between and are a godsend.

The more people who use it, the more risk there is of the equipment being misused and damaged.

However, given that there were no other facilities around, and you weren't blocking access for anyone else, they could have used their discretion and let you in.

Direct your annoyance to the council for not providing any regular toilets.

Please don't bother the people who lead on the Charging Places campaign. There's nothing they can do about this. These are specialist toilets designed for disabled people with high support needs, who cannot use the general accessible loos. Your complaint should be focused on why the other loos were locked up.

I wasn't basing my case on only the people who you know. I was responding to you saying that it's a straw man argument and I disagree. Personally I'd be fine with the women you describe using a radar key when they're suffering, but the system is also open to abuse and it's fair enough for @NotAFanOfJan to make a plea for people not to buy radar keys just in case they're in the OP's situation. It's a valid point and not a straw man imo.

I was going to agree with you that's it's ridiculous but after seeing it's actually a changing spaces toilet rather than a standard accessable loo I can see where they're coming from. They probably have to send out a cleaner on the days it does get used plus it's paid for by a charity.
Good to see the area has one though, I know a friend with an adult son who has needs to use one and they're hardly anywhere meaning they end up changing him on the floor!

I suspect this is because councils have to make provision for disabled people and the lock is to ensure these loos aren’t vandalised. It’s rubbish though.

You post seems to show a lack of empathy.
I don't know anyone who has bought a radar key out of sheer selfishness so they can use it without good reason.

I do know women with bladder conditions, bowel conditions, men with prostate issues , on cancer treatment which affects bowels, none of which would be defined as 'disability' and they won't be carrying a blue badge for their car.

But they have extreme urgency and unless they ought to stay at home all the time just in case a public loo is locked, except the disabled one, what should they do? Never go out?

Lots of those people are included in the usual disabled loos and no one would argue that someone in the throes of IBS shouldn't go in the disabled loo rather than queue for the others. But this isn't a usual disabled loo as people have explained upthread. It's specifically funded/maintained for its target group so it has its own rules and that's okay.

Public toilets all shuttered in my closest city except disabled. Do they think able bodied people can just go all day without needing the loo? It will have an effect on the viability of town and city shops and people won’t go there if there are no toilets. Ridiculous to not let you in.

You are missing the point. Being able bodied does not mean the person has no bladder or bowel issues.

No one who is in perfect health should use the disabled loo.

But there are many people with health issues that do not affect mobility yet need a loo urgently and yes, they can plan around this but as posters have said, there is always the time when an 'ordinary' loo is broken or closed.

Take your points, but it doesn't make the argument a straw man. It's just maths - if more people (than strictly need them) get/use radar keys then the chances of the disabled loo being available to those who do strictly need them goes down. Sure people can manage things in individual situations, but there has to be a general rule or 'just get a radar key off Amazon' becomes the norm and it's a loo for all not for the intended users.

Agree with those who say this is an issue of the main loos being locked up and lack of availability of public loos in general. The Changing Places loo is specific and not for the OP's situation, which could have happened in any number of places where there were no loos and we all have to deal with those situations. When there's no other parking spaces and you need to park, you don't park in a disabled space. I think it's fair enough and would have gone wild if needs be (e.g. in a bag, out of sight and binned it) rather than argue my case to use a facility that's clearly not intended for me.