Accessible Bathrooms

[nuttylawprofessor]

When you see the wheelchair logo on a bathroom stall, will you still use it? What if it is the only bathroom in the area?

There is only one restroom on the floor where I work. The restroom has one stall in it, which is marked with the wheelchair-accessible logo. Would you still use that restroom?

 

[Beth76]

Yes I use the handicapped stall. If it's just me and there's a regular one available, I'll use that. If I'm with my kids I seek out a handicapped stall first.

 

[addicted_to_WDW]

Yes, I would absolutely use the only bathroom on the floor or any stall marked handicapped.

The way I look at it is this. Handicapped stalls are there so that people who need them have a place to go. They don't exist so that the people who need them never have to wait while everyone else does.

 

[goudaman40]

I have a huge problem with this if there is more than one stall (accessible and regular) . . . let me explain.

My MIL is wheelchair bound with RT side paralysis. She requires total assistance to use the restroom. When we would be out and she would have to go, it would never fail that the handicap accessible unit would be in use. There were always other stalls available, but it seems like most people like the "room" in the accessible stall.

I can't tell you how many times I have knocked on the door and explained that we need the stall. I would get a yell back to use the other stalls and I explained that I would love to, but considering that a wheelchair won't fit in the stall and there aren't safety bars on the walls, that is completely out of the question.

It was so bad one time (my MIL couldn't hold any longer - 10 minutes of waiting) that I took her and requested the manager. I asked if he could please go into the men's restroom and see if we could use the accessible stall there. We were given the ok to use the stall and he placed a hostess outside the restroom so no gentleman would go in the restroom with us in there.

I understand that parents like to use these stalls too. I am about to become a parent and I can tell you the only time you will see me in that stall with my child is if that is the place where they put the diaper changer (Wal-Mart is notorious for doing that).

I always wait until there is a regular stall available, because you never know if there is someone behind you that has a reason to need a special stall.

 

[mjkacmom]

I have a huge problem with this if there is more than one stall (accessible and regular) . . . let me explain.

My MIL is wheelchair bound with RT side paralysis. She requires total assistance to use the restroom. When we would be out and she would have to go, it would never fail that the handicap accessible unit would be in use. There were always other stalls available, but it seems like most people like the "room" in the accessible stall.

I can't tell you how many times I have knocked on the door and explained that we need the stall. I would get a yell back to use the other stalls and I explained that I would love to, but considering that a wheelchair won't fit in the stall and there aren't safety bars on the walls, that is completely out of the question.

It was so bad one time (my MIL couldn't hold any longer - 10 minutes of waiting) that I took her and requested the manager. I asked if he could please go into the men's restroom and see if we could use the accessible stall there. We were given the ok to use the stall and he placed a hostess outside the restroom so no gentleman would go in the restroom with us in there.

I understand that parents like to use these stalls too. I am about to become a parent and I can tell you the only time you will see me in that stall with my child is if that is the place where they put the diaper changer (Wal-Mart is notorious for doing that).

I always wait until there is a regular stall available, because you never know if there is someone behind you that has a reason to need a special stall.

I always use the smaller ones, but will use the larger one if a smaller one is not available. However, I used them all of the time when my kids were in strollers - it was the only way I could use the bathroom. I had a double stroller with my twins, and there is no way it would fit in a regular stall. I was not about to put babies on the restroom floor, or when they were toddlers, take them out of the stroller and squeeze them in with me, touching everything in site. Why shouldn't women with strollers be able to pee?

 

[mickeyboat]

I will use the HC stall when no others are available, and no handicapped people are waiting for it. I also used it quite often when my kids were smaller, and I didn't dare leave them outside the door while I used the facilities. Otherwise, I use a regular stall.

I can't imagine ever tying it up for more than a minute or two. I guess I don't see the stalls as being reserved for handicapped people like parking spots are, I just see them as being there to give them access.

FWIW I have never come out of a HC stall to a HC person waiting to use it.

Denae

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I am a full-time wheelchair user so I have to use them. When you can't get a wheelchair in the stall and close the door, your don't have a lot of options. I have a lot of respect for folks who make a point to keep those stalls open.

But if people are using them I don't make a stink (I save that business for me and the stall, LOL!).

 

[Kath2003]

I would use one if:

- there were no regular stalls available - and I don't mean "I'm too lazy to walk 5 metres to the regular bathroom.
- there were no people waiting to use the disabled facilities
- I wasn't planning to set up camp in there!

Peeing never takes more than 1 minute, I certainly wouldn't expect a disabled person to wait excessive amounts of time for me to get out of there. I don't think 60 seconds is excessive, however. Another disabled person could be using the stall and it would take far longer for them to use the bathroom and leave than it ever would me.

In summary: as a last resort and with consideration that there may be others who have no choice but to use the handicapped facilities.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I would use one if:

- there were no regular stalls available - and I don't mean "I'm too lazy to walk 5 metres to the regular bathroom.
- there were no people waiting to use the disabled facilities
- I wasn't planning to set up camp in there!

Peeing never takes more than 1 minute, I certainly wouldn't expect a disabled person to wait excessive amounts of time for me to get out of there. I don't think 60 seconds is excessive, however. Another disabled person could be using the stall and it would take far longer for them to use the bathroom and leave than it ever would me.

In summary: as a last resort and with consideration that there may be others who have no choice but to use the handicapped facilities.

Me too. My father is handicapped, so I am certainly sensitive to the needs of handicapped people, but if it is the only one available and there are no handicapped people waiting to use it, I'll pee fast.

 

[LadyShiva]

If I was in a bathroom line, and the HC accessible bathroom was available, and there was a HC person waiting behind me, I would ask them if they wouldn't mind going before me.

I usually need the HC accessible stall to change a diaper, but I would rank a dirty diaper below someone needing to use the toilet. Now, if they declined and asked me to go ahead, THEN I would know how stinky munchkin is!

Thank goodness for the family bathrooms, nowadays!

Brandie

 

[Christine]

They are handicapped "accessible" not handicapped "only" like parking spot.

Having said that, I will use them if there are no other stalls available. If a handicapped person comes in and I'm in the stall, really, it's only going to be a minute or so before I get out. I don't think that the majority of handicapped people have different bladder requirements than non-handicapped people--just different access requirements.

 

[diznygirl]

With stroller or small children I would use the larger stall. When I go all by myself (!) I use the small stall and enjoy it immensly!!!!!!

And many many many places put the diaper changing table in the handicapped stall.

 

[Hannathy]

Yes I use them. If I walk in and the other stalls are open then I use the reg. stall but if their is a line up to use the facilities then every stall should be used and if a Handicapped indiv. comes in they can get in line and use the Hand. stall when it is open. It would be silly to leave it open and have people lined up and waiting especially when some places there are only 2 stalls.

Someone being in the stall for 10 minutes unless sick is just rude whether it is the handicapped or regular stall.

 

[DizBelle]

Persons requiring the handicapped stall should be the next ones in line to use it. But if there is a line of people needing to use the restroom, there's no reason to leave that one empty "just in case" someone comes along that requires it.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I generally use the regular stalls, but I will use the accessible one if it's the only one available and no one else appears to need it, or if it's the only bathroom around. Even in the OP's example of having just one bathroom on the entire floor, it would depend on how difficult it was to get to another bathroom on another floor, whether I knew a wheelchair user worked on that floor, etc.

Like someone said, my understanding is that these stalls are designed to be accessible, not reserved like parking spots are. Since most people just take a minute to go, there shouldn't be much of a wait for the people who really need it.

Goudaman, I'm shocked that you run into so many people that take so long in the bathroom and don't try to finish up quickly when they realize someone is waiting. That is really rude. What the heck are they doing in there for 10 minutes??!!

 

[goudaman40]

Mrs. Toad,

Apparently this woman was changing her clothes, doing her hair, and her makeup while reading the paper. I saw the woman hauling out what appeared to be a small travel suitcase from the stall when we went back to our table to finish lunch.

I can understand having to change clothes (I've had to do this in rest areas before, but I have used the regular size stall) and to have access to a mirror, you usually have one in the main area, but this woman was just rude.

I can understand if there is a huge line (think concert, sporting event) and everyone has to use the bathroom. I will leave the handicap stall for older people (may have issues with bending, etc) wheelchair/walker bound people and people with small children.

I know I'm about to be a mom and I said I wouldn't use the stall if I have my child with me - if the store/business has a family restroom I will use that. As a matter of fact, this is what I would always try to use for my MIL because her restroom breaks would take on average of 15 - 20 minutes with getting out of the chair, turning to the toilet, sitting, doing business, standing up, getting dressed, moving back to chair, and then washing hands. The thing that always took us the most time was the getting to sit on the toilet, not the business of the toilet. Sometimes we would have to change clothes due to accidents and this would add to the time constraints.

It just really urks me that so many people that are more than capable of using a regular stall will go straight to the accessible stall while passing 5 regular stalls that are empty. these are usually the same people that will park in a handicap parking space because it was the "only one available" when they aren't handicap and they don't have a tag stating otherwise.

 

[Hannathy]

Realized I never answered the second question so... Yes I would use the Bathroom on that floor. The wheelchair symbol means it is accessible not exclusive, big difference.

 

[disneymom3]

Well, I have one of those lovely invisible handicaps that cause people so much ire. Won't go into it too much because I am sure you don't want the details so let's just say I use the handicapped one because it is really hard for me to use a regular one. If it is in use, I manage to use the regular stalls and I sure never would stay in there doing something other than the necessity, but I do use it and I do get weird looks once in awhile.

 

[powellrj]

Well, I have one of those lovely invisible handicaps that cause people so much ire. Won't go into it too much because I am sure you don't want the details so let's just say I use the handicapped one because it is really hard for me to use a regular one. If it is in use, I manage to use the regular stalls and I sure never would stay in there doing something other than the necessity, but I do use it and I do get weird looks once in awhile.

what she said. I have had both knees replaced this year and also have arthritis in my hips, back and hands so using a regular stall can be really hard for me getting up and down. While I would always let a wheelchair person go in ahead of me,(its never happened) I will also wait to use it just because I sometimes struggle in a regular stall without the hand rails.

 

[MareQ]

I can't tell you how many times I have knocked on the door and explained that we need the stall. I would get a yell back to use the other stalls and I explained that I would love to, but considering that a wheelchair won't fit in the stall and there aren't safety bars on the walls, that is completely out of the question.

First off as has been already pointed out, the stalls are Handicapped ACCESSIBLE they are not for the sole used of Handicapped people like parking spots are. Second -unless somebody was in there for an extreme amount of time and your need was an emergency - I think knocking on the stall door is rude.

Apparently this woman was changing her clothes, doing her hair, and her makeup while reading the paper. I saw the woman hauling out what appeared to be a small travel suitcase from the stall when we went back to our table to finish lunch.

I can understand having to change clothes (I've had to do this in rest areas before, but I have used the regular size stall) and to have access to a mirror, you usually have one in the main area, but this woman was just rude.

It just really urks me that so many people that are more than capable of using a regular stall will go straight to the accessible stall while passing 5 regular stalls that are empty. these are usually the same people that will park in a handicap parking space because it was the "only one available" when they aren't handicap and they don't have a tag stating otherwise.

So do you know she was in there just doing her hair and changing or are you assuming based on her travel bag? Even if that is all she was doing - it's perfectly legal and within her rights to do so.

FWIW - DH's AUnt appears perfectly "normal" and uses the Handicapped Stall - in fact she specifically waits for it - and brings a fairly sizeable travel bag in there with her. It's so big it's on wheels because she cannot manage it otherwise. She has Colon Cancer and had a colonostomy. She needs the room in the handicapped stall to be able to change her bag and take care of herself. She carries around a change of clothing just in case, all her bags, supplies to clean herself up, her medication etc. It takes her QUITE a bit of time to take care of herself.....

I also have a dear friend that has diabetes and also carries her medical necesities in what looks like a small travel bag. Her bag is smaller than DH's Aunt but she still has a sizeable bag to hold everything she needs to take care of herself. SHe also specifically waits for the handicapped so she has plenty of room to do what she needs to do.

There's no way to know why people are choosing to use those stalls and there's no way to know if people are "more than capable" or not.

If I have my 3 kids with me - I use the stall as well.