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.

i am a parent too.
i would only ever park in a P&c bay if i had my bb holder with me and there were no BB left.

Blue badge parking bays- are for people who have a blue badge, fairly straight forward.

Accessible toilets are there for the use of people who have a disability.
Baby changing facilities should be in a separate place, just like the parent and child places.
How is it fair that other people feel entitled to use the limited choices, that is there for the people, who actually have limited choices already.
A minority group being further disabled by not being able to use the already limited provision.

Question for those who think it's their right to use these toilet because the other ones are busy, if you are so very desperate to use a toilet.
Would you go in the men's toilets?

I think that when you apply for a blue badge you should also be sent a radar key. Then make all accessible toilets radar entry only.

YANBU

I think people who don't rely on these facilities are often somewhat oblivious to their misuse.

At our local stately home the disabled parking spaces are up against the wall near the entrance which means they're in shade. They are nearly always taken by non badge holding tourists who can't take their dogs in with them. The needs of people with disabilities are less important than dogs.

Then there's changing rooms. I've lost count of the number of times I've had to wait and wait and wait to use the disabled one while regular ones stand empty because it's being used by a group of friends who're all trying stuff on stuff on together. Many times I've had to leave with nothing because my stamina has run out.

I too think there should be seperate baby change/parent ttoilets especially in big public places but that is unlikely to happen. Toilet needs of disabled people are marginalised to the point that their needs are not that important.

My dad is waiting for a hip op (replacement of a replacement) and has had lots of other health problems which prolongs the wait. He is on crutches and can walk (painfully) with them but not far, and he has been like this for about 18 months now. He can't get a blue badge and doesn't use disabled parking spaces, but I guess an accessible toilet would be helpful as there is more space for the crutches. He also has a bit of a weak bladder so needs to go fairly quickly.

@gabsdot
"Able bodied people often have to queue to use the toilet.
No reason why less abled should get immediate access. "
But I shit myself if I don't get to the loo on time. You think that's acceptable? I have a baby as well. If she has soiled herself people kind of accept that, you know. But if I have, well I have to go home, that's the end of my day. Accessible toilets are primarily for those with disabilities, and common sense can be used.

I read the recent thread and was appalled by some of the blatant disablism expressed there. I really respect the MNers who patiently explain over and over that facilities for people with disabilities are precisely that. It must be so discouraging to be faced with the same tired excuses that people trot out to justify using accessible toilets.

Provision for people with disabilities (both visible and invisible) in the UK is really crying out for improvement.

It's difficult though isn't it? Would you begrudge someone using an accessible loo when they don't have a condition which makes them eligible for benefits or a blue badge but makes them shit themselves if they don't go quickly? Could be a side effect of medication, for example. DM used to have trouble with metformin.

Klaptout. Here are lots of conditions that wouldn't qualify for a blue badge, but where using an accessible toilet may be necessary.

Use of disabled toilets shouldn't be linked to having a blue badge.

Ds is a part time wheelchair user but doesn't have a blue badge, he does need to use the disabled toilet though.

Many disabilities which effect toileting wouldn't qualify for a blue badge

Yeah many people don't have blue badges they either dont have a car or use of or just don't need one or are not entitled many disabled or ill people don't need parking spaces a blue badge isn't an indicator of who is most disabled.

a lot of people are posting about conditions that mean you need to go quickly.
don't you see that is the point. if you have people just using them for the space, there will be a que and you won't get to use them quickly.

For years I didn't have a blue badge because somebody who i trusted mis used it when i wasn't with them so when Dh got his car i was very weird about getting a blue badge

Mrs J my mum was the opposite! Wouldn't get a blue badge for years for what reason i don't know, but wanted me to 'just' park in the disabled bay without one or a parent/child space. I would refuse and have to drop her off at the door and then park, and vice versa at the end of the shop or trawl round the back of the car park for a space where we thought no one might park next to us so she could get the door open wide enough to get out.

Once she started to need an actual wheel chair to get round the shop sometimes i put my foot down and made her apply for a BB and now we have one. No more weekly arguments thank gawd.

It is to do with pride and stubborness Laiste it is very frustrating all round I think

Not this again. Same old chestnuts being spouted off.

a lot of people are posting about conditions that mean you need to go quickly.
don't you see that is the point. if you have people just using them for the space, there will be a que and you won't get to use them quickly

I have to disagree. Not all wheelchair users are incontinent or have toileting problems. To imply otherwise is offensive.

《People with genuine need tend not to mumble excuses》

No, nothing I like more than explaining I've shat myself due to IBD in a clear, carrying voice. The visibility of your disability doesn't entitle you to an explanation you know.

AppleOfMyPie don't get your point
i am talking about the people that site buggies and shopping as a reason.

i think you mis read me.
i was pointing out that if you have a que of buggy s waiting, someone who has to go quickly won't be able to

No reason why less abled should get immediate access.
Bless you gabs, how do you manage to get through the day whilst being that hard of thinking?

No, nothing I like more than explaining I've shat myself due to IBD in a clear, carrying voice.

Yes, I confidently declare 'Sir, Madam,. I can understand your consternation that someone who seems to be capable of Usain Bolt-esque times is heading to a disabled toilet, but you see, I have IBS and have on occasion have the humiliating experience of soiing myself in public as an adult and I am keen to avoid it happening and no I am not disabled and I don't have a blue badge, but I do have an urgent and uncontrollable need to evacuate my bowels in the next 20 to 25 seconds. I can either do it here and make this café smell worse than a slurry pit or I can go into the empty disabled toilet. If you could let me know what course of action you'd like me to take, I'd be extremely grateful.'

OH FOR FUCKING FUCKS SAKE!!

Op, reasonable question btw, not ffs-ing at you at all.

Apologies. I read it differently to how it was meant.