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 know there are a lot of people who don't qualify for a blue badge, because lets face it, they aren't always easy to get for a myriad of reasons
Wouldn't it be a good idea for those people to be able to get a radar key from the NHS.

I've never witnessed abuse of the radar key facilities.

That way the people who chose to use the already limited provision, would actually have to go out of their way, to get a key.

You know what would solve it placards we should all carry placards with I AM GOING TO THIS >> TOILET. then we would all be clear

Klaptout, when I got my radar key my GP had to sign an application form for me. Now, apparently you can buy them on eBay.

I am 46 and i got my first Radar Key this week a medical supplier i use were giving them out before this I have not known where to get one. A pub i use has a locked disabled toilet i have to ask to open it might go at the weekend and use my key 😀

Oh yeah ebay ive seen a few mumsnetters bought them on ebay

My local wetherspoons has more people using the disabled toilet than the ordinary men's (it's always the men). There's a man in the pub who cuts radar keys for whoever wants them. This means that the several wheelchair users (inc myself) can never get into the toilet or if we do it's in a disgusting state. There is one guy who has no water at home so uses it as his private bathroom. The manager just says she doesn't know who has hidden disabilities so won't do anything

My local wetherspoons has more people using the disabled toilet than the ordinary men's (it's always the men) maybe they need a shit? 3 out of the 7 pubs in our town only have urinals in the gents, so if they need an actual toilet, they have to use the disabled.

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.

klaptout What about in places like Costa where they have one accessible toilet and nothing else? Or all the accessible toilets which double as baby changes?

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Accessible toilets without a baby change unit: only for those with a disability which means they need more space, assistance from a carer, rapid access to a toilet, or hand washing and a bin directly available.

CMOTDibbler What if your baby can't be changed on those stupid pull down shelves they use everywhere and also is terrified of hand dryers.

My DS hated those shelves, would scream, cry, wriggle, generally make a huge fuss and would be almost impossible to change. In plenty of places there would be no room to change him on the floor without blocking access to the loos to everyone else.

Combine it with hand dryers going off and it would be a nightmare as he was truly terrified of them. At 4 years old he still hates the damn things and won't use them.

Accessible toilets absolutely should have baby changing facilities. We have babies too you know.

@Empireoftheclouds there are definitely toilets as well as urinals in the men's (my DP used to run the pub so I do know that) but yes they use the disabled to shit in and 90% of the time don't flush

JumpingJellyBeanz, wouldn't it make more sense then to have a height adjustable, full sized changing table which would be suitable for parents with disabilities who use a wheelchair, and older children/adults who need changing?

Don't know whether I count as naughty or not, I do tend to use disabled parking bays and certainly disabled toilets although I don't have a blue badge, ( I've just never applied for one). I do however have to use one of those three wheeled walkers though as my legs/feet drag as I walk due to nerve damage, so can't get far anyway. I never applied for a blue badge because I don't drive so it's only the odd occasion someone gives me a lift somewhere. Am I forgiven or not?

Yes you are still wrong to use the space if you don't have a blue badge. If you want to use it apply for a badge - if you are successful then you can use the space.

OK, I'll have a word with my GP when I go next and see how I should go about it. Thanks

You either fill in a for, to appky for PIP in the hope that you will qualify for the mobility rate with 8 points or more, or to apply through your local council who will have an OT do an assessment. You can contact both the DWP and the council without seeing your GP.

I suffer from crohn's. you wouldn't think to look at me though. But I have a colostomy bag. When I need to use the toilet, I have often received abuse from 'more disabled' people or 'justice fighters' who like to 'stand up' against 'people like me'.

Also, lack of BB doesn't mean someone isn't disabled, or just 'less abled'. My grandmother is 94 and had her BB took off her as she doesn't qualify anymore!

YANBU about the parking spaces. But yabu about the toilets. Accessible toilets are for Anyone who would have trouble accessing normal ones. Maybe it would be better to campaign for more accessible toilets instead of being nasty online about people who use them?! (It's only online this debate even happens as most people IRL are very nice!)

I have a blue badge and was not assessed by an OT and I didn't need to see my GP. Maybe it depends on your council. I have a genuine disability which has me wheelchair-bound/unable to walk more than a few steps. It's been a relatively recent thing and my word what an eye-opener it has been. I've hardly had chance to use the BB as disabled spaces are in very limited supply and always seem to be full.

Do you get PIP storm

The 2 routes to blue badge are PIP or council.

It is entirely possible that your council didn't send you to an OT because they were clever enough to work out when you applied that it was deserved.

Accessible toilets are for Anyone who would have trouble accessing normal ones.

Where does this myth come from?

They're accessible to people with disabilities. Not just anybody who fancies a bit of extra space for a pram or for their luggage or to breastfeed for half an hour - just a few of the reasons people thought made them eligible to use accessible toilets in the last thread on this subject.

TBH, I can't see how people can actually park in disabled bays, as it's illegal isn't it? I've seen one or two cars without the blue badge displayed, parked in disabled bays, who have parking tickets fixed to their windscreens. And I've also seen people challenged by traffic wardens because they are using blue badges fraudulently, i.e. In the car without the disabled person present. So it does seem to be an area focused on by traffic wardens. Our local supermarket also seem to monitor the use of disabled bays.

There was a recent story in one of the daily papers about a cafe (I think) that actually made someone use the accessible toilet to breastfeed their baby