boys in toilets

[AngieUK]

We are off to WDW on Saturday and one thing that is worrying me slightly is taking my 10 year old DS who has autism into the ladies with me when he has to use the toilet. He doesn't look disabled in any way but could not handle going in the mens room alone. I would hate to have him hear any nasty comments from other females using rooms. I feel like sticking a sticker on his tee shirt saying why he would be in there!:confused:

[CdnDisneyNut]

Angie

You could use the companion washrooms. The washrooms are in every park. They are for people that need assistance and for people in your shoes (an oppsite sex parent with a sibling that needs assistance)

[SueM in MN]

There are not that many of the companion restrooms though, so you may not find one close by when he needs it. I assume you don't have a male member in your party that he could go in the men's room with. You might want to prepare a list of the companion restrooms. They are generally not listed on the park maps, so without a list, you may not find them.
You can find a list of the companion restrooms in the Guidebook for Guests with Disabilities. There is a guidebook for each park and you can get them at Guest Services. If you are staying at a WDW resort, you may be able to pick them up at the check in area of your resort.
You can find a link to the online version of the guidebooks atthis link (along with other useful info). (http://pixiedustinn.com/disabilitiesfaq/DisabilitiesFAQ.html
) One other thing in the guidebook that might be helpful to you is that it lists the length of time each ride/attraction lasts. It also has a little information (very little actually) to describe each ride.

[disneyelaine]

In this day and age, I wouldn't care HOW it looks to others! I think most woman in restrooms understand not wanting to take your eyes off your son, autistic or not. I've been to WDW 5 times last yr and got no comments from anyone re: why my 9 yr old son was in the ladies room with me. Of course I'm good at ignoring inconsiderate people. :)

[Talking Hands]

Some are not inconsiderate but have issues with having males in the ladies room older than 5 or 6. There are companion restrooms that can be used so there is really no reason for them to be in the ladies room.
For example my daughters do not like boys in the ladies room. Both have been molested in elementary school and one was raped. They are grown now but still are uncomfortable about it.
I object to these boys in the ladies room because I often find them in the handicapped stall with their mothers leaving no place for me to use. My wheelchair barely fits in some of the handicapped stalls and no way they will fit in a regular stall.

[disneyelaine]

Lisa, I am sorry your DD's had such an awful thing happen to them. I can understand your issue. As a parent we all try to do best to keep our kids out of harms way. And as a mom to an autistic son, I tend to be overly protective. Granted I will try to make more effort to find those family restrooms. We travel to WDW quite a bit and often I am in the parks without my husband...course if he is with us, this is not an issue.

[Talking Hands]

I am actually pretty protective of my autistic students when we are off on field trips. I do understand. What we do is use the companion bathroom but to allow the student their privacy if they are self sufficient in the bathroom is wait just outside the door. This way they can only come out to us and not wander off. Some of my kids don't talk although they use some sign. But they would panic if questioned and not even sign to someone they weren't familiar with. I am their regular sub. Works better that way as I know them and their quirks and they know me.
Alone in the parks I try to stick to the handicapped stalls and not use the companion bathroom as I can easily use the grab bars to transfer to the seat.

[momejay]

I use the companion bathroom most with my autistic son. He is only 6, but he is very big for his age. I have gotten strange looksin the ladies room, but I don't care. I'd rather know that he is safe. I've seen older "normal" boys in the ladies room. Use whatever is available.

[signtalker]

My son is autisitc and deaf, with various other disabilities, I always take him into the ladies toilet with me, it never enters my head to make him go into the males on his own.Granted it is difficult for some to handle, but the end of the day he is a "Child" not a gun menacing hooligan(no offense meant to anybody here with that remark), if people have a problem with it i give a polite reply back, however in WDW i never had one bad remark.

Jules

[LvsTnk]

When DS has to go he has to go:( . He has bladder and kidney problems, so we cannot always wait for a companion restroom much less find one! I do try to take him often so we don't have a problem, but guess what....it doesn't always work. One of these days there will be no way I can go to the parks without DH to take him in the mens room.

I really try to avoid any starring or comments by other people but I guess I have just given up.

[dpaine]

I always use the companion bathrooms with my 11 yr old autistic son. I have never had any problem with anyone. They are really a godsend. I cannot let my son go into a bathroom the size of DW bathrooms. He would get totally confused. Never mind the fact that you just don't know who else is in those bathrooms. Do what you need to do and never mind anyone else.

Deb

[suzysezso]

I have also been to many theme parks and take my autistic son into the ladies bathroom without a second thought. He is no threat to anyone and No one has ever questioned me because people can plainly see I keep hold of his hand and speak to him, telling him we are going to use the potty, not something you would see most 11 year old boys tolerating from their Moms. In fact I usually get undertanding smiles and kind comments if anything.
We also usually use the handicap stall because guess what- he IS handicapped. Like blue parking spaces, those stalls are not strictly for wheelchair bound folks. At home and school he uses the toilet without assistance but he is non-verbal and cannot tell me when he needs to go so when we go to a place where we don't know where or when we will be able to use the bathroom I keep him in disposable underwear. I need to go into the stall with him to change him, so regular size stalls are a last resort if I cannot get to a companion bathroom or if the handicapped stalls are in use.
As far as fear of abuse is concerned my son was also abused in his second year of school, and even if that had not happened I still would never send him into a public men's bathroom unescorted.
I don't mean to sound confrontational, it's just something I feel strongly about considering the times we live in. It's all good.

:jester:

[Talking Hands]

I am sorry but I have to strongly disagree with you. You nad your son can get in a standard stall. With my wheelchair there is no way I can. It is common courtesy to leave the handicapped stalls open for those who truly need them. By taking a handicapped stall and taking more than the normal time (double or more) you can cause a person in a wheelchair to have an accident and wet himself. Pretty degrading and embarassing for the person who needs that stall.
I see this as a matter of need over comfort and need should come first.

[suzysezso]

Sorry but is IS a matter of need for me. I do not take double or in fact even as long as most people just to change my son's diaper. I have tried using a regular stall and there just isn't enough room. I'm not a contortionist. I am not being rude or inconsiderate, I'm not there to have a party just to get my disabled son's diaper changed and get out. In fact I have waited for others at least 10 times more than I have ever found anyone waiting for the booth when I left it.

[SueM in MN]

I guess I have to agree with suzysezso in this case.
If she had a 2 or 3 year old and was changing a diaper in the stall, I would say the regularstall should do, but an 11 year old would be hard. To my mind this would be a legitimate use of the handicapped stall so that both of them can avoid injury.

The handicapped stall is the only one that I can use with my DD, and often we can't even use that. Since she can't stand without someone holding her up, we need her wheelchair in with us, so it's not like we can use any other stall.

I don't have any problem with someone who has a disability who feels they need to use the handicapped stall. My complaint is with the people without disabilities who use it so they can change their clothes, take their 3 children in the stall with them (and then one by one use the toilet), or have extra room for their suitcases (in the airport) or purchases. Those people are usually the ones who end up taking a lot of extra time, not the susysezsos of the world who probably want to get the diaper change done ASAP and get out of there.

[Talking Hands]

I don't have a problem with having to change a diaper on an autistic child in the handicapped stall though I would think the companion stall would be preferable due to the large size.
But in many instances it is a matter of convenience not need.
Btw some of the handicapped stalls in MK are too small for my wheelchair to fit and also close the door.

[dpaine]

Talking Hands, you seem to think that we (mothers of autistic children) use handicap bathrooms as a matter of convenience, you couldn't be more wrong. The companion bathrooms are few and far between in the parks. When my son needs to go, it is that moment, not when we can find a companion bathroom. So yes I will use the handicap stalls. It would be just as degrading for my son to wet himself as it would be you.

A disability is a disability and they come in all shapes and sizes. Please be respectful of that. Let us not make anyone feel that their or their child's disability is any less than someone else's. Just my opinion.

[Talking Hands]

Actually I work quite often with autistic children and know what they are capable of. Most if not in diapers are well potty trained and be in a regular stall without Mom as long as Mom is on the otherside of the door. The school I work at has 12 autistic classes and on field trips we stand outside the stall while the child uses the toilet and occasionally check if they are taking too long. Normally on a field trip I will have 2 children under my direct supervison. And yes I am in the wheelchair and still can handle them.
We have one Mom with 4 autistic boys and she never uses anything but the regular stalls or companion bathroom and 2 of her boys are also blind. She amazes me.

[phillybeth]

...Actually I work quite often with autistic children and know what they are capable of...

Each child is different. Just becuase the children you work with in a school situation can use the bathroom themselves does not mean the same child would not need assistance elsewhere. The real problem is that there are not enough companion bathrooms for people who require assistance but not a handicapped stall.

[Figaro]

>The real problem is that there are not enough companion bathrooms for people who require assistance but not a handicapped stall.

I would just like to agree with the above statement. In my opinion, that is the real problem, and us arguing with each other about who has the "real" handicap and needs a handicap stall (or companion restroom) more than the other person just divides us, when what we should be arguing is for more and better handicap facilities.

I have been stunned to read the thread about handicap stalls in the debate board. Many people report that they have never seen a disabled person use the handicap stall. And they probably believe that is true, as I am one of the people who doesn't look obviously disabled, but still have to wait until a stall with grab bars are free.

While at Disney World, I have had mothers with younger children bang on the handicap stall door when I am in there, demanding that I hurry up because their children need to use the larger stall. I've had parents with large strollers refuse to move their strollers so that my wheelchair could be loaded onto the bus. I've had fathers push my wheelchair aside so that they could shove in front of me to push their stroller up the ramp to the monorail and then argue with the monorail cast members when they are asked to move to allow the wheelchair to be loaded.

I have pretty much decided not to dress up for MNSSHP, as some parents (not here) have told me that they did not want their children seeing a Disney Princess in a wheelchair, as they felt it would be upsetting to the children.

I look at this board as a bastion of sanity and kindness. A place where I can come and read about and share information on how to help make a magical place even more magical.

Thank you, all of you, as you have helped and supported me and shared of yourselves more than you know. I don't post very much, but I do read everything here.

[SueM in MN]

Figaro, thank you for your kind words about this board and the people who make it a good place to come.

I also have read (and responded to) the Debate Board thread about handicapped toilets. It's very sad to read some of the comments. It all boils to to the fact that the larger stalls/companion restrooms are beneficial to a group of people and necessary to another group of people. Because they are a limited commodity, who uses them has become an issue.
Personally, I have no choice when I'm in the bathroom with my DD because we don't fit anywhere else. I know there are people like my FIL (it hurts to watch him get up from a chair :( ) who would benefit from using the handicapped stall, but there is NO WAY he will use it because he is too afraid of what people will think. That's sad.

[JudithM]

[i]A disability is a disability and they come in all shapes and sizes. Please be respectful of that. Let us not make anyone feel that their or their child's disability is any less than someone else's. Just my opinion. [/B]

Very well said - thank you! I have learned a lot since I was diagnosed with a knee condition a couple of years ago. I have also learned a lot of helpful information from people on this board. I am one of the people who does not look disabled/handicapped/whatever, but I do often use a handicapped rest room.

[ToriLammy]

Originally posted by Figaro
>

I have pretty much decided not to dress up for MNSSHP, as some parents (not here) have told me that they did not want their children seeing a Disney Princess in a wheelchair, as they felt it would be upsetting to the children.



I think you should reconsider the costume for MNSSHP. I don't understand why parents can't explain to the children that you aren't the real "princess" any more than they are when they put on a costume. Children understand playing "dress up" and are normally much more accepting than their parents are.

Would also love to know "where" these parents are that told you that so I could pay a visit. :mad:

Which princess were you going to go as? :D

[Talking Hands]

Figaro dress up if that is what you want to do. If the parents can't explain too bad. Sorry but I have no sympathy with them.
Try me as a clown with a cane or a wheelchair. And I will be face painting the kids in SPED at school.
Btw we had a parent complain about the SPED dressing for Halloween. Our principal at the time told the parent that the SPED kids had just as much right to dress up and the only way that they would not be allowed to dress up was if no one in the school was allowed. Everyone dressed up including teachers.

[Figaro]

ToriLammy, it was mothers on another internet board I participate in who didn't think I should dress up. I had been planning on Cinderella (who else at Disney World?) (smile), but it really isn't worth the possibility of upseting a child.

I go to Disney World to get away from some of the hassles in the "real" world, not to have more problems. Lately there seems to be a change in attitudes about people with disabilities (sigh). I think Sue nailed it when she said that it is a convenience for some and a necessity for others, with people truly believing that their convenience is as important as someone elses necessity.

For some reason, I seem to attract people who feel the need to tell me that they were awful about handicap access until they needed it themselves. Not sure why (smile), but I have had more than one person come up and tell me how sorry they were for the way they acted towards the disabled before they "joined" our select group.

Now back to talking and sharing about how we and others can have truly magical trips to Walt Disney World(smile).

[SueM in MN]

I was surprized to find that there were people who thought that handicapped accessible toilets didn't exist at all before 1990! And that a lot of non-disabled people don't understand the inconvenience of having to plan where you go and how long you can stay there depending on what facilities are available.
One thing I have noticed is that a lot of bathrooms don't have any indication outside of the stall to say it is wheelchair accessible. Those of us who need it are aware of the "cues": the door opens out instead of in, the stall might appear longer or wider. But some of those who didn't realize that handicapped stalls existed probably don't even realize they are in one.
Also, something I've seen recently is grab bars installed in a few regular stalls - usually near the wheelchair accessible stalls. But without any marking on the stall (and doors that open the regular way), people like my FIL or JudithM who could really use those stalls don't even know they exist except by accident.

I've met lots of nice people on this board and I agree with Figaro that what I want out of WDW is a happy time for my family and to help everyone else share what we can to help others have a magical time too.:D :D

PS. I think you should dress up, Figaro. If a child can't understand about dress up at a Halloween party, they will see a lot of things more disturbing to them than a Cinderella in a wheelchair. My youngest DD's favorites are Cinderella and Ariel. My oldest DD IS Tinkerbell, so I feel I need to send some pixie dust your way. I'm sure Tinkerbell won't mind.;)

[MichelleC]

Figaro!!!

My mom is in a w/c due to MS. I'm reading these boards becuase we're all going to WDW with her.

I really hope you dress up at the party!! Who cares what those moronic parents have to say?? You will be educating the
kids, or maybe forcing their parents to actually talk to them about how everyone is different, has different abilities, etc. Dress up, be proud and have fun!! THAT alone will have a very positive impact on any child. As someone said before, kids are more accepting. I'm venturing to guess it won't bother any child.

Have fun!!!

Michelle

[poopie]

You should dress up, no matter what anyone says, it's the real world and people shouldn't thinh they need to protect their kids from everything. I'm sure it the adults that have more of a problem than the children.

A note on handicapped bathroom stalls, I have just started using them, though I do not look handicaped, I have a handicap.

I have crohns disease and had to have part of my intestines removed including the valve that controls the release of "stuff" into the colon. So when I have to go, I really have to go. If I go into a bathroom with a line I no longer hesitate to run for the handicapped stall or the companion bathroom. I have never had anyone say anything to me. I came to this decision after many near and not so near misses.

Please keep in mind that not all handicaps are visable.

[Talking Hands]

Poopie,
I wish you good luck. On my recent trip I had to wait everytime for a handicapped stall. Not once was there an open one. Always they were occupied by a mother and her child or children. And they definitely took their own good time about using it. I finally blew my top the last day when a very able bodied mother and her child took a good 10 minutes to use the stall and I ended up soiling myself. There were 2 handicapped stalls, the larger one which she had taken over and a smaller one which my wheelchair would not fit in. I let her have it. Her only comment was it is more comfortable. Sorry but if you can use a regular stall or even the slightly larger handicapped stall, the big one should be left for those who don't have that option. BTW there were plenty of non-handicapped stalls available and the parks were not crowded at all.
On one occasion the mother actually raced in front of my wheelchair and grabbed the handicapped stall before I could get to it. To get there ahead of her would have meant running over her child.

[poopie]

to hear that you have run into so many rude people. I have never had that problem. I was only referring that I use the handicap satll if no other's are open or if I have such an emergency that I must get in and throw my stuff down adn go. Sometimes I don't even have time to shut the door. I would NEVER run in front of someone in a wheel chair to get to the handicaped stall, I only use them when necessary. With my situation I am VERY aware of where all the bathrooms are and I tend to try to get to the non busy ones.

Rachael

[Michie]

I have been reading this very wonderful board for the last few months, but this thread actually prompted me to register.

I read Talking Hands post about her bad experience of waiting while a mother and child were occupying a handicap stall. I am a mother who uses the handicap stalls but only when I use the facilities. The reason is because some regular stalls are not large enough to accommodate a mother and child. There is only one store to shop at in the town in which I live. Now I was just there this morning and out of curiosity I did measure the space. ( I am also one of those mothers who carries a tape measure). From the front of the toilet to the stall door is 14 inches, from stall wall to stall wall is 25 inches. Then take in the consideration you have a purse hanging on the door and the feminine products trash can on the wall, and a toddler, that is very little space. I am about 5-3 and weigh about 120 pounds, so I am not an overly large person, and my 3 year old is of average size so I don't think I am being irrational when I say that is just too darn small!! Now we do have using the handicap stalls down to a science. Like I said, we only use those stalls when I am in need of the facilities. We just don't close the door on the regular stalls when my daughter needs to go. We get in, we get out. 30 seconds at the most. And we try and use the restrooms at the back of the stores because they tend to be less busy and cleaner. So please keep in mind if you see a mother and child using a handicap stall, it may be due to the fact that a regular stall is just too darn small! But I do feel like they should get in, get out like we do.

I did read SueM's post about people using handicap stalls to change clothes, and I do agree that is very rude and inconsiderate. I do travel a lot. And I have been in many airport bathrooms in which the regular stalls are just too small for me to bring in my bag(s), and I do not feel comfortable leaving my bag outside the stall even for a minute. So I do use airport handicap stalls when need be for that reason and that reason only. It is just common sense anymore not to leave your bag unattended for any amount of time. So please keep in mind when you see somebody using a handicap stall in the airport who you think shouldn't be, that maybe they are just doing that because of security issues.

I just love this board!!!

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for your thoughts.
One of the problems is that there are not enough bathroom stalls in many places. The ones that are there are just not very big. If everyone was considerate in their use of bathroom stalls, this thread would not have gone on for 3 pages.

[Figaro]

Sue, what do you think would happen if Disney put a sign on the wheelchair accessible stalls and companion restrooms that said something like: "Disabled individuals first?"

That would give the people that must have a "rule" a rule to follow and would encourage everyone to be more sensitive about using or spending significant amounts of time in the only stall that handicapped individuals can use. I've written WDW about this, but haven't received anything back from them yet.

I find that when I explain to people the difference between a "necessity" and "convenience" most people seem to finally understand what I am talking about(smile).

[SueM in MN]

I think it certainly wouldn't hurt.
I think some people actually use them without realizing that they are in a handicapped stall. Those of us who are looking for it know the cues; on the end of the row, door swings out, door may be wider. I am not sure that other people always know that they are going into a handicapped stall. I know for sure that some people don't. They are just looking for a door to open and they go in. I think even just putting a wheelchair symbol on the door might improve things.

[MsDisney23]

ok here is my take on this. For starter's I have used the Hanidicap stall, sure I walk out and I do not look handicap, but it does give me more room to check my blood sugar and take my insulin. Some people do not understand how hard it can be to find a place close and handy to do this. The regular stall does not give one enough room to move, sure to tinkle. hee hee.

Now for any parent that wants to take their son in the ladies room, what is the big deal, there are doors on the stalls. I have seen young boys in there with their mom's and there never seemed to be a problem. Come on these are our children. Now I can see a healthy 16year old boy in there......lol

let's not be so fast to judge, yes we all know that there are people out there that abuse the system, and makes it very hard for the ones who do need it........

[MsDisney23]

Get those boys out of those dan toilet's dry them off and get them into the bathroom..... :p :p

Sorry just had to add that, i heard that in The Horseshoe Jamboree show, the comedian said you can always spot a person from London, the are forever asking where the toilets are. His answer , dah in the bathroom.... :bounce: :Pinkbounc

sorry just some humor.......

[Talking Hands]

Ms Disney you actually do your blood sugar and take your insulin in the bathroom. Yuck. I would never do that. It is much to filthy on those bathrooms even the handicapped ones. plus you have to find a bathrrom everytime you eat and then hope the food comes fast enough. I do mine discretely at the table just before I start eating.

[MsDisney23]

Hey Talking Hands, I use an insulin pump now , and I love it. I have a remote control, now I just hit it, and there is the insulin, No more shot's. Also it is kinda hard to give insulin when it is cold out. you have to remove some clothing to expose the skin! I was wondering where you use the bathroom?? Maybe you could share with the rest of us. I was not aware that Disney had a special "EXTRA CLEAN" bathroom.

[adisneyfan2]

I'm one of those (evil?) moms who sometimes uses a handicapped stall with two kids. I'm sure I take longer than a single user would take too. But maybe there is more to this than meets the eye....

I agree with all the comments above about safety & security issues, and they are part of why I use these stalls. The other part is that my DS, who looks very "normal" is autistic, and believe it or not, can't always manage the simple things -- like unzipping or pulling pants down, etc. -- especially under stress (like when he really has to go!) We returned from WDW last week. On more than one occasion, we had to come out from a "regular" stall, and wait for a larger one, because we couldn't physically manage in a smaller stall.

I am sympathetic to those in WCs who have no other options (in terms of stalls), & I certainly would never want to cause anyone else to have an accident. But let's remember that not all disabilities are visible! Although he is still a child, and an autistic one, he too would be mortified and uncomfortable to have an "accident".

IMHO, signs on handicapped doors probably wouldn't help. Those who are inconsiderate enough to use them "just because" probably won't change their ways over a sign. (Just look around at the handicapped parking spaces -- especially in lousy weather!) And who would "police" these stalls, and determine whose needs are legitimate and whose aren't? Would that mean that because my son's disability is not visible we would have to keep going to the back of the line any time someone in a WC comes in behind us? Or as suggested elsewhere, shoud I put a sticker on my DS so everyone can "see" that he too has a disability??

In the end, I think we all have to remember to do our best to try to be considerate of everyone around us, regardless of apparent abilities or disabilities.

[Talking Hands]

Ms Disney, I use any bathroom for it's purpose. To go to the bathroom. I will not use it to test and take my insulin. Not clean enough for that. Btw. you do not have to expose any skin to inject insulin. Just shot through the clothing. At least in Florida we rarely wear anything thick enough to cause a problem. You learn a few tricks when you have had this disease for 25 years.
Would love a pump but my HMO won't authorize it.

[MsDisney23]

Wow Talking hands, insulin dependant here for 38 years. also have a twin with it as well. Never ever heard of taking insulin through clothing.............. you are so special! Sorry your HMO will not approve you for a pump, you must have great control. If you would like make another reply you may do it privately as I enjoy these boards. I am not here to argue with someone over where they go to the bathroom......

[SueM in MN]

I don't have to do this often, but....
here is the standard "play nice reminder." It's OK to disagree, but it's not OK to use sarcasm, call names, etc, etc.

In my years as a nurse, I have talked with diabetics who injected thru clothing, some who never heard of it, some who would never do it and the same for doing blood testing and injections in the bathroom. And most of the people who did one thing would not be able to convince those who did the opposite to change. Whatever works.

I'm one of those (evil?) moms who sometimes uses a handicapped stall with two kids. I'm sure I take longer than a single user would take too. But maybe there is more to this than meets the eye....
I think most people would agree with you that not all disabilities are visible and all are important. My own FIL should use a handicapped stall because of his very bad knees and hips, but he won't because he doesn't feel he is "disabled enough". No one (except the person in the stall) knows whether or not they need the "features" of the handicapped accessible stall (whatever "features" are important to that person, whether it is grab bars, extra room, etc). I hope we haven't given the impression that any mom with 2 kids who uses the handicapped stall is "evil". I personally don't care who uses the stall, just that they are considerate of others who might need it. There are some people who take longer than a single user would take - my DD takes more time than a single person would normally take. All I ask is that people try not to take more time than they need to take. I have, unfortunately waited for people who were using one of those handicapped stalls with a sink to all comb their hair, the mom to refresh her makeup and the kids to wash suntan lotion off their arms and faces so they could apply more. That is inconsiderate use since those things could be done outside of the stall. A mother trying to help her autistic son is not inconsiderate, just doing what she needs to do.

And who would "police" these stalls, and determine whose needs are legitimate and whose aren't? Would that mean that because my son's disability is not visible we would have to keep going to the back of the line any time someone in a WC comes in behind us? Or as suggested elsewhere, shoud I put a sticker on my DS so everyone can "see" that he too has a disability??
I hope I didn't give the impression that I meant the stalls should be policed or marked in any way to allow only people with "legitimate needs" to use them. I meant to have the stalls marked to indentify the stalls so people would know what they are. Some people are clueless or don't care and would use them anyway, but my DD and I have seen people who had not realized until they got in that the stall was an accessible stall. They were embarrased and apologetic because we were waiting to use the stall when they got out. I have also directed some people to the handicapped stall because they were not used to traveling with a person with a disability. In one case (when I was traveling without my DD), an older woman was trying to help her mom (in a wheelchair and barely able to stand) to use a regular stall. They didn't know that handicapped stalls existed and were very happy for the help. I helped her transfer and then gave them "toilets 101" to help identify the handicapped stall. I've even used a stall with grab bars without knowing that's what it was because it was not bigger than a regular stall and for some reason all the stalls in that bathroom opened out (boy, did I finish and get out of there quick).
In the end, I think we all have to remember to do our best to try to be considerate of everyone around us, regardless of apparent abilities or disabilities.
I agree completely. Well said.

[Michie]

We just returned from Disney, and thanks to all the wonderful information this great board provides, we had a terrific time!!

I am also happy to report that Disney's regular stalls are a lot bigger than most!! And they are very clean considering how many people use them.

I am not naming names, but one of the states north of Florida, not saying how far north, that we traveled through on our way to Disney, had the most disgusting public restrooms I have ever been in. Maybe it would be a good idea for Governor Barnes to take a day just to tour women's restrooms in his fine state.

Thanks to all the wonderful people who belong to this board who provide wonderful information and tips, we had a great time at Disney!!

[SueM in MN]

Glad to hear you had a good time (sort of strange to be saying this in a thread about rest rooms!)

[Leia's Mom]

It is amazing how this topic gets everybody stressed out. I know for a fact, that this is the most challenging aspect of taking my mother anywhere. It was a near disaster at Disney World when I took her in May.

My mom is a stroke patient. She's wheelchair bound and has severe spasticity problems. She is also 5 feet tall even. All of the handicapped stalls at Disney World (that we saw) had the lift seats. Thus, my mom couldn't sit on them because it was too tall. She would spasm when her feet got off the ground. We tried the regular stalls (with my aunt guarding because the door couldn't be closed and with my jumping over the chair to help her). It was HORRIBLE. The companion restrooms were the only help. They had the lifted seat as well, though, which was a huge problem.

I saw lots of people dilly dallying over the sink in the handicapped stall. That was the thing that really annoyed me.

We'll be doing the cruise this year. In large part, we are doing that because we can always get her down to her room to go to the bathroom. I'm hoping it makes life easier. . .

[SueM in MN]

I know exactly what you mean about those high toilets. My DD is just over 5 feet tall, has spasticity in her legs and arms and doesn't have very good sitting balance if her feet don't touch the ground. We sometimes are able to put her wheelchair into position so that she can rest her feet on the wheelchair footrests (a little high for the feet, but better than not touching the ground). I've also stood in front of her so that her feet were on top of mine (not the best either, but again, better than no floor contact). I know that for some people, the raised toilet seats are a big help, but my "dream toilet" would be height adjustable since the high one is not right for everyone.

[adisneyfan2]

I know our inconvenience is more trivial, but with children it sure would be nice if some of the companion stalls had even regular size seats, because it can be a challenge to help balance a teeny weeny little bottom on any seat, but it can be particularly difficult when they are so high up! :rolleyes:

[connie254]

Can we get back to the issue?
I go down to Disney with my son who has autism. We DO go to the ladies room together. We DO NOT go to the handicapped stalls. He is potty-trained enough that he can urinate, pee-pee,void,make water (pick the one that does not embarrass you, ignore the others)on his own and needs prompting on washing his hands. We go alone to DisneyWorld, except one time. Some one at work went down at the same time-but her party was all females. If I did go down there with a male that I trusted, my son would go to the mens room. Seeing that it is just me and him, and I have to do my business too, we go into the ladies room, find two stalls next to each other and get the job done. I do talk at his level to him, using "potty", etc. I definitely could see using the handicapped space if I needed to change a diaper on him-he is 11. I felt bad the first time going there and asked everyone at work about DisneyWorld EVERY possible question. Another nurse said she would never think about sending her two "normal" boys into themens room by themselves.BTW, I asked about food, rides, buses, etc. There are only one or two companion restrooms in each park. Think about it.Your child is telling you they have to relief themselves-the companion BRs are a good 10 minutes away, barring you don't run into a crowd leaving a ride. There is regular restroom within walking distance. If you wait to go the companion BR, your child could soil themselves. I personally don't like to have my son watch me use the commode-which he would do in the companion BR, because like I said I need to use the facilities at some point during the day.
The handicapped facilities in the bathroom should remain for the handicapped- and there is a great range of handicaps, aren't there?

[SueM in MN]

IMHO, you have a good reason for bringing your son into the ladies room, connie254. In your situation, I would do the same thing.

[JudithM]

Just curious ... Does Disney have a list/map of companion bathrooms at each park & resort? On our last trip earlier this month, I seemed to "run" across companion rest rooms several times. Maybe I noticed them more because of threads like this one.

[SueM in MN]

Does Disney have a list/map of companion bathrooms at each park & resort?
They are not on the maps that we got in March. I know they are listed in the Guidebooks for Guests with Disabilities. I have a feeling that they purposely list them only there because they are meant as Companion restrooms, not general family restrooms. Since the handicapped stalls in many bathrooms are not wheelchair accessible and there are some people who need a companion in the restroom with them (but may not want to use the regular handicapped stalls) , they need these restrooms to be available to people with disabilities (visible or invisible).

[JudithM]

Thanks, Sue. I'll have to find my disabilities guides.

[SueM in MN]

If you can't find them, there is a link to download the guides from the official Disney site (but I don't have the link on this computer).