AIBU to think that the disabled loo are not for people to have a private shit!?

[MrsSippy]

I use the disabled loo at work, because I am, well, disabled. I need the bars to help me on and off the pan (TMI??) Every time I go it absolutely reeks, and there's usually someone skipping out quite functional of leg (I know about hidden disabilities, don't worry) My thoughts are that it is used for private shitting purposes, not wanting others to share in the trauma of splashdown.

AIBU??

[MissesBloom]

arethereanyleftatall yep I've done that before but always seem to get a random kid wandering over to have a quick mooch also if I had to go for number twosies that would be vair vair embarrassing! I hate using the loos in public. Must be awful for the Ibs sufferers. As pps have said I know someone who has IBS and it's a struggle. It's a "when you need to go YOU NEED TO GO" situation and must be a nightmare going out and staying near a toilet at all times.

[MattDillonsPants]

Disabled people need to poo OP. The smell could be from anyone! Get some spray or something

[BeaArthursUnderpants]

I guess I am in the minority but I don't have a problem with this, provided that there isn't a disabled person waiting to use the loo and the person doesn't leave a mess or camp out in there for an extended period. Shit, unfortunately, smells bad, and with so many people using them public bathrooms can get quite grim. It's unpleasant for all of us but what can you do. IMO disabled people are entitled to be able to access a loo that is on par with what is available to everyone else, not a sweet-smelling private chamber that is only used by a few people.

If it were a company-wide rule or understanding that everyone was to use the disabled loo for shitting purposes, leaving the non-disabled loo less offensively fragranced, that would be different, because the disabled users who only had to wee would be forced to use something worse than similarly situated non-disabled users. But it doesn't sound like that's what OP is describing.

And anyway, how do you know the person who walks out is the source of the stink? A pungent poo smell can last for quite a while, and I for one have on many occasions walked into a stinky loo, done my business, and left while the previous user's stink was still in the air. Anyone waiting might have thought I was responsible. Does this not happen to other people?

[Fizzielove]

There was a chap in my old work who used to go and have a nap in the disabled loo. It was bizarrely the only loo with sanitary products! So as a disabled female is need of both it used to fuck me off no end!

[CheerfulYank]

In the US they're just another bathroom stall.

Obviously a disabled person would get the first go but otherwise you just use it. The baby changing tables are often in them too as they're so much bigger.

[ReallyTired]

Erm... Aren't toilets designed for shitting in.

In a work situation I think you are unreasonable to expect exclusive use of a loo. It's a toilet not a disabled parking space. Provided the toilet is left clean and you can access it when you need it, there isn't a problem. Does the toilet have a window or a fan to dissipate the smell?

[Mistigri]

Workplaces have to provide toilets that are adapted for people with disabilities, but they don't have to be for their exclusive use. In the office building where my department is located, between a third and a half of the toilets are adapted for use by people with disabilities. While my employer has decent HR practices when it comes to disability, it is very unlikely that a third of employees are registered as disabled!

It would make literally no sense at all for my employer to ban the use of disabled toilets by other employees, or to expect employees to voluntarily refrain from using them. Obviously disabled people get priority over their use, but that is all.

[Sirzy]

I think when somewhere has a high proportion of their toilets disabled toilets then them being multi-use is fair enough, if somewhere has one disabled toilet that should be kept exclusively for those who have disabilities meaning they need to use that toilet (including bowel and bladder problems) so it can be accessed with relative ease when needed.

[Aridane]

YANBU!!! Nor are spacious disabled toilets the place for female colleagues to spend ages dolling themselves up before a night on the town and to generally treat as their personal changing cubicle - ggrrr

[Bearsinmotion]

Nor are spacious disabled toilets the place for female colleagues to spend ages dolling themselves up before a night on the town and to generally treat as their personal changing cubicle

At my work a lot of people cycle in, and the disabled loo doubles as their washing / changing room .

[curren]

I don't get the OP.

The disabled toilet smells so it's assumed it's a non disabled person using the toilet to have a private shit.

Why is it beyond the realms of possibility that a disabled person has had a shit in there?

Disabled toilets are not only for visibly disabled people. But in this case the op has no clue who is using the toilet

[MyCatIsTryingToKillMe]

Unless there is a radar key a 'disabled' loo is actually just an accessible loo so that it can be used by anyone. Obviously (like a lift) if a disabled person needs to use it they should be given priority but otherwise it is for anyone's use. As others have said there are many reasons why someone may need to use this loo.

[Sirzy]

The problem with the "unless it's locked anyone can use it" type attitude is that unless a workplace/business has thought ahead enough to have the majority of the toilets accessible then using a disabled toilet when you don't have a need could well leave someone who has no option of toilets in a very undignified, stressful position.

[MumOnTheRunCatchingUp]

What a ridiculous and goady thread

[parissont]

I am ashamed to admit that I actually only realised a few months ago that disabled loos were presumed to be for exclusive use

I thought disabled people got priority OR that the loo had been adapted for disabled people but that everyone could use it.

I've often used one as I have IBS which is sometimes really bad.

[honkinghaddock]

If they are using to have a shit in private (bowel issues aside) then yanbu. You won't actually know whether or not that is the case though.

[DustyBustle]

You can't really question the validity of the people using that toilet without coming across as a bit insensitive. Just ask your work to provide a time release air freshener in there.

[P1nkP0ppy]

^ totally

Ffs. So bloody what op. Haven't you got anything better to do than set up Loowatch? I presume you don't crap in it?

[snowgirl29]

I have IBS too. Along with a range of other disabilities and illnesses too.
Problem is I'm young and 'look ok' to the average person.

[Sirzy]

I don't think anyone would resent someone with an ibs flare up using the disabled toilet if it was the easiest for them to get too!

[honkinghaddock]

IBS counts as a reason to use disabled toilets. I use them when I am with ds as he is too old to go in the ladies but can't be left alone as well as when he needs to use them. What isn't OK is when there are multiple ordinary toilets that someone could use instead.

[yumyumpoppycat]

If you know about hidden disabilities why did you say 'skipping out quite functional of leg'

[PurpleDaisies]

Every time I go it absolutely reeks, and there's usually someone skipping out quite functional of leg (I know about hidden disabilities, don't worry)

So you will know that IBD doesn't affect someone's ability to walk but still entitles them to use the disabled loo.

[Jasonandyawegunorts]

Not very private if you are outside snooping....