To be annoyed at being told to be considerate of disabled people

[DefendingPan]

This sign was in the disabled toilet in a restaurant (which is also the only baby change in the restaurant).

What’s the point of this sign? What might parents be doing that they will stop after reading this?

Have a day off. It was obvious that was a scenario the poster witnessed.

But when a parents complains about someone without a child or BB using a parent and child spot they are reminded not every disability is visible and the plethora of reasons someone else might feel entitled to use that space.

You wouldn't be able to see the sign from outside the toilet though

Those spaces are concessionary and are not legally protected for the coveted use of strictly parents.

It's not that others feel entitled to use that space. They are entitled to use that space, legally.

If parents want these spaces enshrined in law for strictly their usage then they will need to campaign for it.

It would be a clincher if it was recognised in law and then providers just swapped them to accessibility spots instead.

It specifically said mums and dads. Who’s leaving their toddler alone in a restaurant to shag, vape and shoot heroin?

Parent and child spaces aren’t protected by law - they’re a concession so anyone else can use them without being fined. If you park in a disabled space without a blue badge the fine is up to £100.

I do also find people need to me to prove myself whenever i make requests ( ie are you able to move your bag from the priority seat please?) which I never got when I had a baby in tow.

If someone had their bag on the priority seat and this poster needed it because she is disabled, she’s not required to prove that she’s disabled if it’s not obvious. My point is that the passenger who had the bag on the priority should have removed it when it was obvious she needed to sit down.

Sorry, yes, that read the wrong way when I looked at it. I meant why would anyone have their bag on a priority seat. You don’t have to prove your disability to anyone.

Once I had to ask a man of he minded moving his hat so I could sit. Another time it was a banana. And it's always men.

Tbh I think anyone who puts bags on seats, any seats, when people need to sit down are extremely rude
I would always ask for the bag to be moved

Women are just as bad in my experience
In fact when I was heavily pregnant with twins ( I was about 8months ) I got on a train and ended up standing in the middle of what looked like a WI outing.
Not one women offered me a seat. It was the only guy who was sat next to a window that offered me a seat. He had to squeeze past two seated women to get out.
In my experience on London transport if I had to chose which was worse by sex I would definitely say women are far far worse than men in terms of courtesy and consideration.

It’s telling them to hurry up.

I had horrendous morning sickness with my first pregnancy. I didn’t look pregnant but, feeling the same about bags on seats (especially during rush hour which this was) I just sat on someone’s bag once because I felt like I might faint. She had to unpeel it from under my arse and I didn’t have the energy to apologise.

Well done you
Thats absolutely the right attitude
I would do the same if someone was so rude as to not move it
Tbh on the London tube if a small child, that could easily sit on someone’s lap, took a seat too ( as they often do with parents rushing on to grab seats after you’ve kindly let them in front of you ) I always ask to have the seat if I’m not able to stand.
I don’t always get a polite response though.
Even if I’m heavily pregnant.
Bags are generally moved, small children aren’t.

Id sit on a bag but I think i might be arrested if I sat on a child 🤣

Just to help anyone understand what its like being disabled...

When i was pregnant sometimes people wouldnt give me a seat. But by and large people were nice and helpful. I was disabled then but people see the Baby on Board badge first.

As a disabled person, people dont give you a seat but also give you looks of disgust and react angrily when you ask for help.

The two are night and day. I say this as someone who has experienced both first-hand.

I dont get the train now. It makes me feel dreadful.

Also when it is in the disabled loo often it cannot be used by a disabled parent.

I am really sorry to learn of your experiences and that you don't feel you can use the train anymore. I am also sorry that I am not surprised.....I have had far too many negative experiences when out and about with my disabled DS, to ever be surprised at the hostility encountered by disabled people at least from the 'great British public'.

A few people go out of their way to be helpful. However, many others regard DS as an inconvenience, resent having to accommodate him and often fail to do so. The disgust, anger and yes outright hatred is often plain to see on their faces.

If I see a sign like that I just make sure I don't do anything that would be a nuisance to others. I can't understand getting annoyed or offended about it.