to use a disabled toilet if I've got the buggy?

[MrsHelsBels74]

Pretty much as the thread title says, if you're out in public & need to loo but can't fit the buggy into a normal cubicle is it acceptable to take the buggy into the disabled toilet? I'd never use a disabled parking space but did this today in desperation. So, is it ok or still a no-no?

Just to make it clear though - like with accessible seats on a bus, I think that people who NEED the accessible toilet should get preference!

The wheelchair is a widely accepted sign for disabled facilities. That's not an argument for anyone to use it if it suits them.

Using ladies toilets again. The picture has a woman in a skirt on but any woman can use them!

<a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.se/imgres?q=toilet+hang+baby+door&start=0&num=10&um=1&hl=sv&tbo=d&biw=1821&bih=840&tbm=isch&tbnid=VMUFSWiwvLCEjM:&imgrefurl=hometoheather.com/2011/01/youve-got-to-be-shitting-me/&docid=9Y8Q1t_OjsG1VM&imgurl=hometoheather.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/babykeeper.jpg&w=400&h=325&ei=-aKvUMjKLqnh4QS-yIDAAQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=12&vpy=461&dur=416&hovh=186&hovw=230&tx=96&ty=83&sig=113204582925194415374&sqi=2&page=1&tbnh=138&tbnw=169&ndsp=56&ved=1t:429,r:22,s:0,i:10" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Here you go. Problem solved.

Of course they can be used if u have a buggy. That's why the baby change facilities are often in there. They are for people with all kinds of accessibility problems IMO.

When I carted a buggy and two toddlers around, I never gave it a second thought and I don't believe that means that I hate disabled people. It was just a sensible and practice solution to a real problem that I had.

Flame me if you must, but I think its ok.

I am reading this thread and trying to be enlightened as I often am on mumsnet. I really don't understand, I am comprehending from posts on here that disabled toilets should NEVER ever be used by anyone other than disabled people. There seems to be strong inference to disabled people wetting themselves if they have to wait.

I am not trying to be contentious, I truly don't understand. Obviously they should be used by non- disabled people if those people can access the ladies etc. But surely there are circumstances where for safety of the child they could be used.

The debate about the wheelchair being the sign for person with disabilities/accessible toilet is another subject really, but I do agree it is frustrating because I am finding the majority of disabilities don't show up on the surface, and lots of them don't require constant use of a wheelchair (if any), but people "look for people with disabilities" before they use these facilities? How could you tell? If I didn't use my wheelchair that day, it doesn't stop the fact that I have bladder problems. I don't wear that on a sign on my head though.

sorry shouldn't be used

Sirzy - the wheelchair sign is a sign for indicating wheelchair accessibility - i.e. a sign that facilities are accessible for people in a wheelchair. It is not a sign that the facilities are for sole use for anyone who is "disabled".

No-one has answered my question about whether a non disabled person could use a disabled toilet if the alternstive was them wetting/crapping themselves

No it's a sign for disabled facilities. Just like a wheelchair painted onto a parking space doesn't make it an accessible space it makes it a space for disabled people.

No-one has answered my question about whether a non disabled person could use a disabled toilet if the alternstive was them wetting/crapping themselves

Probably because it was just too much hyperbole to cope with.

surely an able bodied person could use a "normal" toilet.
tbh there is imo chance of a disabled having an accident than an able bodied person(speaking from my life here)

Sirzy - there is a big difference between accessible toilets and disabled parking spaces - unless you are suggesting that folk would have to display their blue badge before using the "disabled" toilet?

Mumsfretter, there isn't a definitive answer to that question, as you can probably tell from the thread. Some people would say use the disabled/accessible toilet, some people would say there is no way you should ever use a toilet that you haven't campaigned for and therefore you should just stand there and shit yourself.

It's about opinion. You can't definitely say that every toilet that has a wheelchair sign on it is only for disabled people. The landlord of my local pub recently redesigned the toilets and has put a disabled sign on one of them. He goes to great lengths to tell people it's an accessible toilet, not just a disabled one. Which is his prerogative, what with it being his toilet.

mums - your question has been answered - there is no legal reason why you can't use a "disabled" toilet. Equally there is no legal reason that you can't use the gents if you are female.

There is a legal reason that you can't use a disabled space, but no legal reason that you can't use a parent & child without a child.

No I'm suggesting that your being daft to say that the picture of a wheelchair is used to indicate they are accessible toilets. They are toilets for those with disabilities. Having a baby isn't a disability.

The signs on the toilets say "disabled" don't they? Do how are you planning on arguing against that meaning they are intended for use Soley by disabled people?

I'd be terrified to leave DC in the buggy outside when I went to the loo. An I the only one who'd be scared of having a baby abducted?

No, I am too, and if weeing is only taking the fabled 30 seconds that people are leaving their children at risk for, then there should be no real problem using any type of loo.

What did mums with buggies do before disabled toilets became more prevalent? I remember my Dad campaigning for more disabled toilets in the 1990s. He was a double amputee and forced to take a bottle out to pee in as it was either that or never leave the house.

I'm that wanting to have a pee when out of the house but also being mindful of my children's safety makes me selfish and ignorant!

Agreed. I will also not be holding my toddler while doing up my knickers, inserting a tampon etc, nor will I be doing any of the above while watching him through an open door . Does it really come down to wetting yourself if you have to wait 2 minutes? What if my toddler is going to wet himself or me?...is it a competition really? I'll use it if I feel I need to and then move on so someone else can do the same.

I don't think I've ever seen "disabled" on a toilet sign?? i've explained that in my opinion the wheelchair sign indicates that a toilet is wheelchair accessible - NOT that it is for sole use by disabled people.

I was at a concert at the Nottingham International Arena with DS2 once. I needed the toilet, and am very obviously disabled. I went to the nearest one in the interval and the Stewards were allowing women to use it because there was a massive queue at the ladies. However, he showed me to the front of the line and explained that as it was the only one available to me, I was to go next.

I was subjected to so much abuse, it was horrid. People were effing and blinding about it not being fair, the toilet was not for disabled people only, it was accessible. I was shaking and nearly in tears. It was the first and last time I have ever taken either of my DC to a concert on my own!

I have seen it on lots.

Personally I think your opinion is daft and an attempt to justify using facilities designed for other people.

Similar to the "disabled" seats on a bus - they are accessible for wheelchairs but not for exclusive use by people in a wheelchair. Similar to a taxi with a wheelchair sign on it - accessible for people in wheelchairs, but not for exclusive use by people in wheelchairs.

Sirzy - we'll have to agree to disagree - because I think your opinion is daft too

I don't use the disabled toilet because the only alternative is soiling myself, although that is one thing that could happen. It's about comfort and ability to move around, reach things and generally just do my business.

If people are temporarily ill, then I wouldn't consider them to have any less need than I do to have access to the toilet, and I guess I would quite happily let the lady in before me, although I would be concerned at them being out in public in that state and also worrying if it was contagious and whether I would have to deal with