‘Semi-accessible’ toilets - what is the etiquette?

CroccyWoccy · 2023-12-10T11:02:34+00:00

In public toilets I’m increasingly seeing cubicles with extra accessibility - e.g an outward opening door, grab rail, slightly wider. To be clear these are NOT the dedicated disabled access toilet, but one cubicle inside the women’s toilets, and are not marked differently. I’ve always treated these as usable by anyone, irrespective of need - if I’m queueing for the toilet and that becomes available I will use it. If I am with my young children who have to accompany me into a cubicle, I might choose this toilet in favour of others so we have more space. AIBU? Or are these cubicles solely for use of people with greater accessibility needs?

Sapphire387 · 10/12/2023 11:09

I agree with your summary.

Flatandhappy · 10/12/2023 11:12

I see these as being equally available as there is no specific criteria for use, if you wanted one you could wait until it is free, they are not disabled toilets. As a 60 year old with slightly limited mobility I will use that toilet in the gym if it is free as I quite like the rail that makes it easier to hoist myself up but I certainly don’t need it.

OtterlyMad · 10/12/2023 15:26

There is a widely held belief that able bodied people aren’t allowed to use disabled toilets but it’s perfectly legal. They are designed FOR the disabled, not limited TO them. Obviously you should try to use the standard toilets where possible in case someone with a disability needs to go urgently, because they might not be able to use the standard loos, but it’s a matter of common sense - there’s been times I’ve been stood in a massive queue and notice people not using the disabled loo so pointed this out and people have said “oh no that’s the disabled…” and I’m like “yes but there’s no disabled person using it right now” and still no one goes in so I do and then I get evils when I leave.

Anyway enough ranting - YANBU those cubicles are for everyone to use, but priority should be given to the lesser abled, as in any situation in life really.

Roseandrose20 · 10/12/2023 15:31

I use this if I have the pram and I don’t need to change my DD but I need the loo, I probably wouldn’t choose it if I was myself and others were free, but if it was the only one free I would use it

Original poster

CroccyWoccy · 11/12/2023 16:25

Glad the consensus seems to be with me - I think it's like elevators - everyone can use them, even if the main reason they're there is to help people who can't use the stairs.

OP posts:

Biker47 · 11/12/2023 16:36

Accessible toilets are just more accessible than regular toilets for people that need it, it doesn't mean they're for the sole use of people who need it to the exclusion of all others, they're toilets at the end of the day.

Mumof2teens79 · 11/12/2023 16:47

I'm with you, although I was berated for that on a thread yesterday

Northernlass99 · 11/12/2023 17:40

Im gonna get grief here but - under the equality act and building regulations, there are only 'accessible toilets'. These are designed for use by differently abled people, whether that be temporary or permanent. There is no such thing as a 'disabled toilet'. There are no laws which state accessible toilets are exclusively for the use of a disabled person. Anyone can use them. Obviously don't be inconsiderate or selfish about it - if you don't have disability or accessibility issues then use one of the others to leave that one free for someone with greater need. But if not then you can use it. Unlike disabled parking spaces which actually have status in law and you will get a fine for using if not registered disabled.

TreacleMines · 11/12/2023 17:49

If it’s a larger cubicle with grab rails etc in a line of cubicles, then if you looked at the building plans it would probably say it’s there for anyone who needs more space (so mums with babies etc). That’s the usual intention for those, so basically a free for all.

If there are other non accessible options available it would be polite to use them though, so that the people that can only use the accessible ones can use them.

TreacleMines · 11/12/2023 17:51

Northernlass99 · 11/12/2023 17:40

Im gonna get grief here but - under the equality act and building regulations, there are only 'accessible toilets'. These are designed for use by differently abled people, whether that be temporary or permanent. There is no such thing as a 'disabled toilet'. There are no laws which state accessible toilets are exclusively for the use of a disabled person. Anyone can use them. Obviously don't be inconsiderate or selfish about it - if you don't have disability or accessibility issues then use one of the others to leave that one free for someone with greater need. But if not then you can use it. Unlike disabled parking spaces which actually have status in law and you will get a fine for using if not registered disabled.

There is no such thing as ‘registered disabled’.

Pipistrellus · 11/12/2023 17:53

If I actually needed the space or it's the only one available I'd use one. With one child under school age, no.

Northernlass99 · 11/12/2023 17:55

TreacleMines · 11/12/2023 17:51

There is no such thing as ‘registered disabled’.

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Yes you are quite right, bad language. I meant blue badge holder.

Paperwhiteflowers · 11/12/2023 18:05

OtterlyMad · 10/12/2023 15:26

There is a widely held belief that able bodied people aren’t allowed to use disabled toilets but it’s perfectly legal. They are designed FOR the disabled, not limited TO them. Obviously you should try to use the standard toilets where possible in case someone with a disability needs to go urgently, because they might not be able to use the standard loos, but it’s a matter of common sense - there’s been times I’ve been stood in a massive queue and notice people not using the disabled loo so pointed this out and people have said “oh no that’s the disabled…” and I’m like “yes but there’s no disabled person using it right now” and still no one goes in so I do and then I get evils when I leave.

Anyway enough ranting - YANBU those cubicles are for everyone to use, but priority should be given to the lesser abled, as in any situation in life really.

This is why I like the ones with a radar key. Some people really can’t stand in a queue and some people might need to use the loo urgently.