Wasn't allowed to use disabled toilet despite the fact no other toilet was available. AIBU?

[fakenamefornow]

Seaside town with beach that stretches about 1.5 miles away from town centre with just flats and houses facing beach, ie no pubs or cafés that might let me use the toilet. It's about 10am rainy January morning, nobody else about apart from about two/three people and dogs on the beach.
Half way along on seafront is a public toilet block. Both mens and womens shuttered up and locked. Disabled toilet, locked, had a phone number to call for remote access so they could let people in. Called number and despite me pleading that I was desperate for the loo (I was) and pointing out no others available, I was refused absolutely point blank access because I wasn't disabled.
I don't think this is fair at all, but what do others think?
YANBU - she should have let you in.
YABU - no way should she have let you in regardless of how much you needed the loo.

I think it’s a case of “computer says no” here.

You can buy a Radar key online for about £4 that you can use.
I don't know how someone on the end of the phone could know you were not disabled. I'd have said something like IBS and needing a loo urgently.

Disabled doesn't mean just mobility issues. You could have a health issue around needing a toilet urgently or having to change a stoma bag.

How can a person know about the need of a handicap toilet by phone? I would have claimed to fit. A lot of handicaps aren't visible.
I would complain. It makes no sense to have remote access and not grant it.

It didn't have a radar key. You phone a number and they can buzz you in. You have to argue your case with a real person. I just didn't lie and say I was disabled.

Absolutely should have let you in and if there is anyone to complain to i would. I understand those with disabilities should take priority but that doesn't mean everyone else should risk the indignity of an accident if there are no other options.

A toilet is a toilet. If it's free what's the bloody harm.

I suppose your complaint should actually be about the fact that the other toilets were both locked up. I can see why someone at the other end of the phone couldn't be expected to break policy, even though the upshot in this case was a bit daft. They were just an employee following rules.

Some people are jobsworths or let a tiny amount of power go to their heads. I’d have let you use the toilet and I think most people would have.

Agree with this! A while back it was thought I had inflammatory bowel disease and was ill for a long time. If I was at risk of not being able to use a toilet I would have become a recluse.

I say I'm disabled if that's the only toilet available. I do have a disability that prevents me walking long distances to an alternative toilet, but I don't normally need to use the disabled toilet, and don't if there's another facility close by. I've never been questioned about it, not that it's something that happens a lot.

This is a shitty system all around - no disabled person should have to phone and justify - out loud, in public - what their disability is and why they should be able to use a toilet. The call handler has no way of judging it and it’s demeaning. I’d contact whoever operates the facilities and complain as much.

That's crazy.

What if someone doesn't have a mobile on them? Or can't use one? Like a very elderly person or someone with limited mobility.

I'd write to your local MP and CEO of the council where you live and complain. Toilets should be accessible to anyone on a seafront.

And I was really desperate. I was told doesn't matter, if you have the shits, incontinence, young children etc. The toilet is only for disabled people. I even asked if I could speak to a manager who might have some discretion, told - no and that they only say I couldn't use it anyway. It was a 'changing places (?) toilet if that makes a difference and in Weston-super-Mare. I think the person was just being mean not letting me use it. I don't see who benefits or loses anything by saying 'no'.

Considering it was off peak times and raining and shit weather, doubt any right minded disabled person would of been down there. Yanbu they were being a twat and I say that as a disabled person!

What kind of person denies someone using a toilet under those circumstances? I would find out who that person was and exactly what the procedure is that needs to change within that company.

Utterly ridiculous.

So this is a case where you have to lie.
Because they have created a system that is a nonsense.

I'd ring the council and complain that all the toilets are locked, including access to the disabled toilet, id also contact the local newspaper and councillor.

What an insane system. Do they take the word of whoever phones or are they making people stand outside the loo and justify themselves so that the person can judge whether or not they qualify?

Probably controlled that way to stop it being used for drugs, sex and homelessness.

However the gatekeeping is wrong. You can't tell a disability over the phone

Why were the other toilets closed? I.imagine the person on the phone has procedures they have to follow, disabled facilities are few and far between that they need to monitor use, i am disabled i would hate to phone somewhere if i needed a piss how undignified, i would also contact your council to enquire about the public toilets. Sorry that happened to you.

Od course people, able bodied or not, can Go out for a walk if they want to, if there are toilets then they should be open.

Sounds like they were a jobsworth. Complain to whoever it is that operates the toilets and also the councillor/MP for the area

This is the sign

Suggest writing a complaint letter or email to the council or whoever is responsible for these facilities.

No reason to deny anyone access to public facilities.

The only way I can make this make sense is if say the toilet was built and paid for by a disability charity which installs additional toilets to increase the ability of disabled people to get out and about. If the toilets are only used say ten times a day (because they are gate kept) then cleaning can be irregular and therefore cheaper. If the charity allows everyone to use them, then additional cleaning costs have to be paid for, which don't benefit disabled people and could potentially get them into bother with OSCR.

However, if these are standard council run toilets, YANBU. If they are closing the mens and womens toilets because it's so quiet, everyone should be able to use the disabled (and be quick)!