AIBU disabled parking and toilets

[sashh]

OK this is not exactly ATAT but, I have a disability and a blue badge. I just wondered how many other people have been given excuses by apparently (yes I know there are hidden disabilities, but people with genuine need tend not to mumble excuses) able bodies people using the blue badge spaces and the accessible toilet.

I've waited outside a toilet because someone was getting changed to go out after work(twice, different places.)

Been stopped from going in to the accessible toilet by a woman with a toddler and a very loud, "Excuse me..." looks at toddler, then notices my walking stick and says, "Oh go on".

Had someone rattle the handle to the extend I was scared to open the door because I thought I would break my wrist while the handle was rattled because their child needed to change.

Not be able to pay my rent because the only accessible bays near the bank were all taken by Xmas shoppers with no blue badges and my housing benefit was paid by cheque so I couldn't get the money i to my account before my rent went out.

Not able to shop if it's raining because then all the blue badge spaces are taken by cars without badges.

I'll probably remember a few more.

YANBU about blue badge spaces, but accessible toilets are just that: accessible toilets. If you are changing a baby and that is where you can get a pram in or that is where the baby change is, they have the same rights to use that facility as you do.

the only thing worse than people misusing bluebadge parking spaces and toilets is the constant need to have a thread about it on the front page.

maybe MN should just sticky it at the top....

i had to go back a whole 4 pages to find a thread about this topic that has 1000 posts on it. surely that is sufficient about what is quite a small area of conversation- people shouldnt misuse facilities not meant for them

Definition of accessible toilets:

An accessible toilet is a special toilet designed to accommodate people with disabilities.

HTH

Ceto

Where did you get your definition? I understood it was a toilet designed to accommodate people who can't access smaller spaces.

To be fair a lot of acessable toilets double up as baby changing, I know a lot around here have the disabled and baby change logo on the door.

I have to use a disabled toilet from time to time, I look like a perfectly healthy woman so I'm always a bit perplexed by people who complain that all these able body people are using the disabled loos. I have an ileostomy, you would never know but if I feel I'm about to spring a leak and need access to a private toilet with plenty of space, a bin and wash hand basin then your need for that disabled toilet isn't any greater than mine. 9 times out of 10 I use the regular toilets and I have to queue sometimes, That's life when using public toilets.

Oh gawd sashh, I wish you hadn't started this, even thought I know you didn't mean any harm because it's started again. :(

Meanwhile people with children with Autism like myself cannot get a blue badge.
I cannot take my son to a store without child bays right near the entrance because he's not safe near cars, if there isn't a bay we have to leave.
He won't enter a toilet with other people in there so we have to use the disabled ones. If we can't, cue melt down and need to go home.
Life could be worse.

Completely agree about the parking spaces, but disabled loos are a bit different as often they are the only ones with baby changing facilities. I often use them when I'm on my own with DD and DS as they are both too young to use the loo on their own and it is a squeeze with all three of us in a normal cubicle. Plus it is much easier for them to wash their hands in the disabled loo as they can actually reach the basin. Also easier when you've got a buggy and don't want to leave it outside.

The toilets aren't for the sole exclusive use of disabled people, they have adjustments to make them easier for them, it's still a toilet at the end of the day. If I need the toilet I'll use a disabled one if needs must.

I hate the disabled toilet doubling as baby changing but unfortunately they do so when baby needs changing I use. I do find that a lot of parents feel like their children get priority which in the long run puts them at a disadvantage.

My dad is in a chair and if he could wait and sometimes he can't, he'd let a toddler go in front because sometimes they can't hold on. But surely if there is a queue for the main toilets then a polite excuse me my toddler is desperate can we go next would work?

As for disabled spots there is no reason you should use them if you don't have a blue badge. The same as there is no reason you need to use parent/child spaces if you have teenagers with no extra needs. Or are leaving partner in the car with baby

Totally with you on blue badges, not so much on the toilets tbh.

So the people saying that parking spaces shouldn't be used by able bodied people, but toilets are fair game...

If someone needs to be parked close to a building to be able to access it, why is their disability suddenly ok for them to queue behind someone who doesn't actually need that toilet?

So why majority of accessible toilets have changing facilities ? Is it only for disabled people with babies, or for all in need of a nappy change, as it's accessible for pram users.

If you type accessible toilet into Google, the first couple of pages describe toilets using the definition that ceto uses, An accessible toilet is a special toilet designed to accommodate people with disabilities.

Those with baby changing in are obviously also to be used for changing babies. (although obviously there will also be parents with disabilities who need to use baby changing facilities)

It's poor design, to have these facilities as double use, especially considering they are unsuitable for changing babies by parents with disabilities who are wheelchair users, and unsuitable for older children and adults who need changing.

I have IBS ... when I need to go the need is urgent and overwhelming. If the non-disabled toilets are in use, I'll use the disabled one of it is free, I don't like doing it, but if it is a choice between that and soiling myself, I'll take the dirty looks from people seeing someone sprint into a disabled toilet.

www.changingplaces.org

Please follow link for campaign for more fully accessible toilets in the UK

I use the disabled toilets when I'm out with my baby in the pushchair and need to go myself. You can't use a cubicle and leave a baby in a pushchair outside. I'm always as quick as I can be and would let any disabled person go before me if they needed to.

I started a thread last week about all the people who use BB spaces at the gym I go to. Without BBs, one family in particular are terrible. She works in fitness and he is a coach for a professional sports team. They park their lovely Q5 in the disabled space right outside the front door so they don't have to walk too far and it won't get scratched.

Boils my piss.

No Fanjo I didn't read the recent thread. What should I do then, instead of using the accessible toilets?