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.

If you're not disabled and it isn't a shared facility, be kind enough to leave it empty for someone who needs it.

If you're not disabled and it isn't a shared facility, be kind enough to leave it empty for someone who needs it.

If you're not disabled and it isn't a shared facility, be kind enough to leave it empty for someone who needs it.

No phone malfunction. Just wanted to make sure the message got through.

Dawndonnaagain

I simply disagree. "Accessible" means more accessible. Often this means accessible by people who are not disabled but who can't access smaller toilets, especially when baby change facilities are involved. In addition, if I need the toilet myself, I think it is totally reasonable not to leave my newborn or 6 month old baby outside a toilet, or to have to hold her on my knee when I have a poo. Really not unreasonable.

And I really haven't dismissed anybody.

As a previous poster said, the toilet use debate is played out entirely over this forum alone. In the real world people are far more rational.

Sadly as dawndonnas post before showed this is very much a real life issue for those who are actually effected by it

Dawn, that's awful about the woman saying she needed the space to change her top! But do you think she was telling the truth? I have an invisible disability (UC) but never declare it when challenged in the queue. It feels too personal/embarassing and I don't feel I owe them an explanation. I usually brandish my radar key and glare then ignore. I wonder if the woman made up the changing her top as an excuse? Might she have needed to change a stoma bag or her trousers?

I think the only answer is more accessible toilets. People clearly need them for a range of reasons.

While I agree with many points on here, people saying that parents will do anything for an easy life... well yeah. Of course people want an easier life! That's why we have washing machines, tumble dryers, dish washers, sterilising units, prep machines, cars etc. Yes we can reminisce about the good old days when a mum did everything without these new features, but that was a different time! Even in the 50s it was common place to find an occupied pram outside someone's house, but would you dare do that these days? Of course not. Times have changed. Parents are under so much pressure from everyone. Have you ever resorted to changing a dirty nappy on the floor of a restroom where other people are there? I was shouted at for doing that because it was 'disgusting'. I've been shamed for breastfeeding in public, for peeing with the door open, for wandering 5 steps away from my pram to get something from the shelves in a supermarket.

Everyone is a 'justice fighter' these days. How often do you see people 'shaming' others on social media without knowing the full story? "He parked like an arsehole..." (could have been an emergency and proper parking wasn't a priority), "she used a disabled toilet..." (can't see her colostomy bag though can you), "this man abandoned his baby outside a public restroom, could have been snatched..." (didn't realise that he had been shamed the week before for going into an accessible toilet). Just back off!!

F1ipFlopFrus

I do not think it makes me disabled that I have a baby. I think accessible toilets are for those who find it harder to access ordinary toilets. I am not going to leave the door of the toilet open when I have a shit, and will never be persuaded that that is 'reasonable'. That is daft.

I hope you don't mean in my posts!

I'm quite confident you will be thrilled if I say yes, so I won't.

Perfectly 'reasonable' apparently F1ipFlop

Oh dear. Clearly reasonable discussion is out of the window.

Just wondering, all those posts about accessible toilets, if they are for everyone - why do they have a person in a wheelchair as the sign?

I have an immediate family member with an extremely profound disability, we're talking adult nappy level. I'm all too aware of how hard life is when you or someone close is disabled.

Despite that I'm never going to suggest you juggle a baby on your knee, leave the door open or any other insane suggestion if an empty accessible facility is available.

I'd just like to say a big thank you to the many posters on here who work so tirelessly to explain the day-to-day problems people with disabilities face and to raise awareness.

I know you must feel like you're swimming against a tide of shit, and constantly encountering bigoted entitled twats who think their right to a moment's convenience outweighs your needs, but trust me, there are lurkers out there who have learned a hell of a lot from your posts - I know I have. I hope I'm a more considerate person now than I perhaps (unthinkingly) was at times in the past.

to all of you.

I guess everyone has a level of abusing disabled faciliites that they feel comfortable to do.

Sometimes the entitlement is so high it's almost funny.

One time my friend and I were visiting a large tourist place. They had a few electric scooters available at the entrance for people with disabilities to borrow. When they brought mine out a woman in another queue looked at it and asked for one too. They asked if she was disabled, she said no, so they wouldn't let her have one. She then proceeded to follow me around the site loudly dropping 'hints' about how tired she was, how she needed a rest from walking and how selfish 'some' people were. I heard it but didn't have a clue what her issue was until I came out of the toilet to find her sat on the scooter. She demanded the key off me because I'd had it for long enough and it was now her turn. My friend had to practically drag her off the bloody thing.

It won't kill people to wait for a toilet is someone is using it to change a baby or has 2 toddlers in tow so needs the space to accommodate.

But it may mean they are standing outside in pain using up some of their very precious spoons.