To use the disabled loo when I'm with my son?

[RestingBitch]

My sons 9 months and obviously still in his pushchair. The majority of the time it's just me and him when I go into town/visit places. When I need the loo I get an attack of conscious, I normally use the disabled loo so I can bring him in with me.
Can't use a regular loo as I can't get him in the cubicle in his chair. Don't want to take him out of his pushchair and plonk him on the floor as the floors are manky and he will eat whatever is on the floor. He'll also probably try and crawl under the gap and interrupt someone else. Don't really like the idea of leaving him in his pushchair whilst I nip in the cubicle, so providing there isn't someone waiting for the disabled loos, AIBU to use them? I'm usually in and out and so far I've never encountered anyone waiting for one, or the impatient rattle of the door. If I am being unreasonable, short of pissing myself what's the options?

Not a troll, and don't work for any newspapers :).

Ye so have a family outing to the disabled toilet instead and let someone piss themselves! How kind!

Accessible toilets aren't for the exclusive use of disabled people - it's not the same as the wheelchair space on the bus.

And I said upthread, when I get to a toilet and it is taken (by a disabled person or parent with prom) I cannot wait, I have to go to the ladies (alone, when I should have DH carer with me) and attempt to use the regular toilet. Which causes me a lot of pain and is dangerous (oh and I then have to pee with the door open or someone might nick my chair, plus I have to be able to get back in it).

The toilets are designated as for those with disability , disabilities vary and therefore the need does, and this goes for all services. Therefore whilst all those with a disability have a right to use the toilets some needs are less than others

JuicyStrawberry, I don't think anyone has implied your son shouldn't be able to use them, or that he should have to move out of the way if a wheelchair user came along. I'm not sure why you think that's the case?

Somersetlady - every other bloody post has said, 'ooh yes, but what if a disabled person is using the toilet, you'd have to wait then wouldn't you, eh!' The answer to this is, yes obviously - but why do people want to add to the queue, by using the accessible toilet when there are other options?

I just use a toilet furthest from the door/mirrors and park the buggy where I can see it with the door slightly open.

I would never breastfeed in a disabled loo, that is really selfish. Breastfeeds are not quick.

Apologies if its already been said up thread but in all scenarios people seem to forget the diasbled toilet could be in use by someone who is also disabled. What happens then? '

They wait. Totally acceptable to wait while another disabled person uses it obviously, rather than a mother who can't organise herself and her dc.

I'm quite surprised that someone who worked in "disability policy" thinks that the seemingly "small" things don't matter. Because they do. And when they combine they can be a huge problem
It's really sad tjat this person actually woeks with disabled people.

I hope people who are selfish, who think its ok to use the disabled loos get caught short one day, then you'll know a tiny bit pf how it feels.
As fo the person who bf, there is no hope for you.

If you have a hidden disability though, and you don't need the extra space of a disabled toilet, wouldn't you just use a regular cubicle?

Why take up the space that a wheelchair user might need since it would be physically impossible for them to go elsewhere?!

There are family cubicles or just larger than average cubicles. You learn where they are and use them. Ds who needs to use accessible toilets cannot fit in all of them to be changed so we have had to learn which ones are big enough. So you can do the same.

Oh ffs ok I'm going to comment as a mum who had at one point a double pram, now my kids are older my youngest is disabled.

There is NO excuse to use a disabled toilet if you don't have a disability, when my kids were young if I needed the loo I used to go to the bottom stall and leave the door ajar, to keep a eye on the boys while peeing! Not once did I have any problems doing that and never used a disability toilet.

My son has autism if he poos I need to get to a toilet to change his nappy asap. He will actually try and get to his poo and eat it other wise.

It absolutely drives me mental when you get mums who think they are entitled to do anything they bloddy want, and well the disabled people well we have to wait.

Get a grip op, and use a normal toilet, many other mums have done this for years with no problem

JuicyStrawberry, I don't think anyone has implied your son shouldn't be able to use them, or that he should have to move out of the way if a wheelchair user came along. I'm not sure why you think that's the case?

Well I wouldn't put it past people, really.

Anon, I've always used my common sense. As I say I have had 2 under 2 (1 year between them) and then had ds when dds were just 3 and just 4. I never left them outside, and tried to avoid using the accessible toilet. (it's always been the accessible toilet, it's just some people call them disabled toilets - including big institutions like the NHS).

Twelly.

The toilets are not designated for people with disabilities. They just have access for people who may need the space.

WalterMitty, they may need the grab rails for mobility issues, the sink for eg catheter used or the alarm for eg epilepsy.

There are some toilets with these features in the 'regular' toilets, leaving the accessible ones free for wheelchair users. More toilets should be like this. :)

Where does that line come from? I've never seen it in official literature.

I assumed that the toilets were for people with a disability if it is for people who need the space I would have though the usage would be less

Thanks, Beyond. I couldn't really think beyond the space needed!

I have nerve damage need to wear pads take medication, I need to use the toilets cause when I need to go I need too I would be upset if someone was in there when I cant queue

Accessibility refers to the products, devices, services or environments for people who experience disabilities.

Most countries began using "accessible"instead of disabled to be more politically correct. I wish they hadn't bothered it's made people think that it means accessible to all and it doesn't. All it's done is create another fight for the disabled to get to use the facilities that are there for us.

Accessible toilets aren't for the exclusive use of disabled people
It doesn't mean access for all and sundry, it means accessible for those who with disabilities.

The toilets are not designated for people with disabilities. They just have access for people who may need the space.
Yes they are. They're designed with enough room for a wheelchair user. They're also designed with enough room to change clothing, bags and wash.

So don't worry OP. They are designed for you too.
Ok, well that's jolly nice, GardenGeek, but don't you think it would be great if people could free up the very limited accessible toilets for those people for whom it is an absolute necessity?