Another buggy in wheelchair space thread

[MsAR]

I got on the bus at the same time as a wheelchair user was queuing to do so. The driver told the wheelchair user there wasn't room, so I quickly checked and saw it was a buggy and a shopping trolley in the space.

The driver told the wheelchair user there would be another bus in a few minutes and they didn't seem to mind and weren't particularly insistent about getting on.

Was I being unreasonable to step in at this point and tell the driver that the person with the buggy should get off as wheelchairs have priority? He was pretty annoyed when I did, and kept repeating that there wasn't space.

I'm in London, and there are clear signs on every bus stating this is the case. I've often had to get off a bus when a wheelchair needed to get on and would never question if asked to do so.

Would it also be unreasonable for me to complain to TFL? I know I'm being a busy body but the driver's attitude really irritated me! I'd like the mumsnet jury to help me decide what to do, if anything.

I feel their should be fully accessible parent and baby loos too.

Then start a campaign like the changing places campaign.

I have come across family toilets before (Ikea, Brighton....there must be more!) and there are toilets which are large enough for a buggy just by default - I would bet my last 5p there are more of these than there are fully accessible disabled toilets in the country.

Whenever we visit an attraction or public place, and there isn't a changing places facility, I contact them referring them to the Changing Places Campaign and asking whether this is something they will consider in future planning.

The thing is the need for a toilet cubicle big enough for a parent and a buggy is usually fairly short lived, people with disabilities will need those fully accessible toilets for the long term. And for parents needing the loo with the buggy in tow, there are ways around it - they may not be ideal, but there are. I managed to avoid going in disabled toilets with mine, because it just felt to me (even before having ds), that the toilets should be left free for people who have no choice but to use the disabled toilet.

purple the incontinence issues may always have been present. However when do you know for sure? Well pathways develop, or not, to allow for gaining continence. Thus continence is something that most people, although not all gain. young children are often aware that it happens and they can't stop it. They get embarrassed too.

Lots of children have psychological issues surrounding this area, and need mum there. And greater privacy. Lots and lots of children.

A little bit of recognition for mothers would be nice, because if it were not for mothers there would be no need for any toilets!

You are comparing toddlers to having a disability? Really?

It's about sharing. The campaign for a disabled toilet was about the provision of one that you could use. Not about making one solely for the use of the disabled at the expense of others. They campaigned, they got a toilet that they are able to use.

Some of the buses here have enough space for a wheelchair and pram or two. They have a space designated for a wheelchair with signs saying so , and then the other spaces don't have signs so are a first come first served kind of thing. I always try to avoid the wheelchair space and use one of the other spaces.

They're not able to use it if all the mothers are using it.

I won't say anything else as I think your post will be pretty shocking to most right thinking people anyway.

My post was to Head

Yes. You need space to sort the children out. If the normal loos don't offer that we should share the space.

I would help anyone if needed, and not make it even more difficult for mums, or people with crutches, Zimmer frames, wheelchairs even, or with several charges to look after.

I certainly do not have lack of empathy, but feel that there are many on Ths thread that cannot see other people's needs might be need a helping hand too.

If someone feels they may need the space then have it! Why stand there shouting it's mine it's mine...I may be able to cope in a small cubicle with a baby, another mum might not. I'm not prepared to judge their reason for needing help.

Head I agree with you that makes me as bad as you.

Well the changing mat is in the accessible toilet in my local Morrisons. There is a sign on the door that has a picture of a wheelchair and a baby.

Not hard of thinking. I just use the facilities available to me.

"They campaigned, they got a toilet that they are able to use."

except they can't as now the parent want it.
the parents who did f all to get it.

i didnt last very long on my break Dixie

i cant even argue with these posts, am just

yes, and as I said earlier that is bad planning. My issue is with parents saying they need to use the disabled toilet because there is no room for their buggy in the standard toilet

and no - changing an older child or adult in a toilet is not the same as dealing with babies, or young children.

omg fanjo can I join you on your break (or have some of your chocolate)\wtf is it with mn at the moment. god help all the children whose parents think they are so fragile.....

what really pisses me off is that these very people or their kids might one day need the wheelchair space. or disabled toilet.
bet they change their tune then.
being disabled is not a lifestyle choice

you can have my break for me as I am too weak willed samcro. Have some chocolate too!

except they can't as now the parent want it.
the parents who did f all to get it.

Well campaign to make it the law that nobody else can use it then. Campaign to get the changing areas removed so nobody will be likely to use those facilities.
Before I joined MN I wouldn't have thought twice about using the accessible toilet which states I am allowed to do so on the door.

yes let have a campaign
a campaign for disabled access
oh hang on it happened
wheelchair spaces on busses.......ahh now the parents want it
disabled toilets ......now the parents want them

so once the hard fought for changing places happen......the parents will want them,

seems to me the walkie talkie Tabs always sit back and let other fight.