Banging on the door of the Accessible Toilet

[HunterHearstHelmsley]

Why do people do this?!

I've just used the accessible toilet (I need to use the accessible toilet). I'd barely sat down and someone started banging on the door. I wasn't in there an unreasonable amount of time - probably about 30 seconds when the door banging started and 3 minutes overall. I was in there because I needed to be, banging on the door isn't going to make me quicker. If someone was taking the piss, it'd probably make them stay longer!

It's not the first time it's happened but it's so frustrating. It happened a few weeks ago also, that time was a woman wanting to use the baby change... the baby change wasn't even in the accessible loo!

It's really annoyed me this morning, it's not something I've noticed when using non-accesible toilets so I think it's just an accessible loo thing. But whyyyy?! I can't go faster 😩

Just use the toilet where you don't have to struggle for heaven's sake.

How would you decide is eligible? I've got friends with one of my conditions who are able to get around safely therefore, won't get a blue badge.

And how would you decide who needs an accessible toilet? I can use a standard toilet some days but have other days where I can't wait.

It's available but the person who needs it can't tell because they are 60 people back down a corridor and round a bend. Moving forward at only 80% of the speed they could be.

just a quick ‘do you know that’s an accessible facility for the disabled’ or something similar will suffice and if the answer comes back affirmative then that’s the end of it.

That's hilarious. I'm always thankful and relieved when a toilet has a "not all disabilities are visible" notice on the door. That way I know if I'm challenged I can challenge right back. Just a quick "are you illiterate or blind, can you not read or see this notice" will suffice and if the answer comes back affirmative then that’s the end of it.

Yes they can be really expensive, especially if you have quite extensive or specific needs. I think mine was £800-£900. It fits in the boot of a corsa.

Why don’t they know it’s free? If they know the accessible toilet is down that corridor then they walk down the corridor, asking people to step to the side if necessary.

Disabled people don’t need to queue for the non accessible toilet- would you queue in a line of men for the gents before you went into the ladies?!

Disabled people experience inconsiderate behaviour at the hands of people who are not entitled to use any of the accessible concessions, but selfishly do it anyway. But there’s no way to distinguish the selfish arseholes from those who have hidden disabilities except to ask. But that’s not acceptable. So the piss takers carry on unchallenged. Posters are calling those who advocate for finding an acceptable way of asking judgmental and accuse them of disrespecting other disabled people, when in actual fact they are trying to find a solution which will benefit all disabled people. We’re down a real rabbit hole here aren’t we ? The answer seems to be don’t speak up in case of causing offence - just put up with it ? Have I got that right ? Because if I have, that’s what’s hilarious.

Yes they can tell whether or not it’s available because they wouldn’t be waiting in a queue with 60 other people for the standard toilets if they knew there was an accessible toilet there too. This is really not rocket science.

So you agree, if no-one is waiting for that cubicle and it comes free I can use it.
Brill

No. But then you know that. Would you use the gents if it was empty while the ladies was occupied ?

Yes and frequently have.

there’s no way to distinguish the selfish arseholes from those who have hidden disabilities except to ask. But that’s not acceptable.

I don't think it's acceptable to challenge other people, but if others do, crack on, and be prepared for pushback.

I think challenginging people with hidden disabilities is appalling behaviour, and let's be honest here....no one is challenging because they think the person they're asking is really disabled are they? They're challenging because they think the person is a pisstaker.

If you ask someone who has used an accessible toilet if they know it's an accessible toilet, you're doing it because you've looked at the person, judged that they don't need to use the toilet, and are telling them that. There's no other reason for asking. If you thought they were disabled you wouldn't ask.

It's a completely different scenario.
In my younger days yes have used gent's communal loos in night clubs. not now.
But if faced with two side by side single cubicles one with a toilet, and one with a toilet plus a urinal (why? Who knows) yes obviously I'd go in whichever was free

I don’t know how you have come to that conclusion from what I said.

My point was that no disabled person should be 80 people back in a queue of able bodied people- they just go past the queue and only wait if someone else disabled is in the accessible toilet.

Are you disabled? If so, then yes, use the accessible loo. If not, then don’t.

It doesn’t matter how many strange scenarios you invent- the answer is always accessible toilet for disabled/ill/injured people- normal bathroom for able bodied people.

It’s literally that simple.

Brill, so everyone who needs a bit of space, an outward door and a handrail (but not people in wheelchairs or with significant mobility issues due to steps/doors etc) knows that there is a suitable cubicle and bypasses the normal queue.
So I can assume that if when I get to the front of the normal queue there is absolutely no-one waiting for or using that cubicle (and there are 50 women behind me desperate to pee)
I still need to leave that perfectly good toilet completely empty and wait for the next one.
As I said before let's use some common sense here. If Marjorie does work her way past those other 50 women saying she has a disability or urgent need I will obviously offer her either the next available OR to use the "big one" in 20 seconds when Alice comes out....both ahead of me, but in the mean time, one room, one row of toilets, one queue. I am using the next one and I have NEVER seen anyone not in similar circumstances.

Actually....in my local Frankie and Bonnie's there are 3 cubicles...one is a big one. There is a separate disabled loo that you have to pass to get there
When I go to the bathroom with my two girls I will continue to use all three including the big one

If you ask someone who has used an accessible toilet if they know it's an accessible toilet, you're doing it because you've looked at the person, judged that they don't need to use the toilet, and are telling them that. There's no other reason for asking. If you thought they were disabled you wouldn't ask.

No. You’re doing it because it’s a resource reserved for the disabled and you’re not sure if the person has a disability or not. It’s not about judgement, it’s about making sure the resources are available for those who need them. That’s to the advantage of all disabled people so I’m struggling to see why someone with a hidden disability would be offended given that abuse of facilities intended for the disabled is so widespread and that the objective is to protect them for all. Everyone benefits. I give up now. People are so determined to be offended it’s utterly pointless.

I've had to say something before in that situation because banging on the door is unnecessary and rude. Banging on the door is not going to speed up the process.
I'm in there because I'm having a wee, not because I fancied a sit down for a while.🙄

Nobody has a right to challenge anyone about using a disabled toilet. They are there to facilitate wheelchair users and people with disabilities that require additional space or room for a carer to attend. They are not for the 'exclusive' use of people with disabilities, or for anyone to be able to access the toilet immediately at any given time, and there is no law saying that able-bodied people can't use them. There are certain times when the non-disabled might benefit from them- in times of emergency and it's none af anybody'd business why anyone else is using them.

It’s very rude to bang on the door. I did it on the train last week though because I could hear a bloke talking on his phone in the loo - he’d been in there for ages!

No. You’re doing it because it’s a resource reserved for the disabled and you’re not sure if the person has a disability or not. It’s not about judgement

Okay, so you ask someone if they know it's an accessible toilet and they say yes. What then? What exactly have you achieved? A pisstaker is hardly going to care are they?

I love the way some people believe that them being unsure whether or not another person is disabled entitles them to question people!

For a start, it's none of your business. Yes, disabled facilities are abused, is it your job to start questioning people, no.

Sorry but you are wrong. Where an enlarged stand alone unisex accessible toilet room is provided it’s intended solely for the use of disabled people, wheelchair users, and their carers. It’s not for general use. Where smaller single sex facilities are provided within standard male or female toilet facilities, they can be used by non disabled people as they are intended for other users who may, for whatever reason, need a larger space than a standard cubicle.

That’s the second time you’ve quoted me and not included the full quote - it puts what I’m saying out of context. As I said, I give up now. It’s pointless.

I love the way some people believe that them being unsure whether or not another person is disabled entitles them to question people!

This.

It just feels like there is a stupendous level of ignorance about hidden disability.

If someone had the temerity to ask me I think I would just say "no I am using it for fun" and leave it at that. It's none of their business.

And yes I might have taken a child in their with me because they are small and I can't just leave them roaming around outside. Doesn't make me less disabled.

But what has made you unsure other than the fact you can't see the disability? Can you see how crappy this is for people with hidden disability to be constantly doubted and made to explain themselves?

It's shit enough from able bodied people (like the fact some people at work think it's funny to "joke" about how they are being "virtuous" and getting the stairs if they see me waiting for a lift) but it's phenomenally frustrating when it comes from other disabled people