Do you use the handicapped stall?

[Mahnahmahnah]

Yes I do use them.

FWIW - that's usually where the diaper changing station is. And if that's the case, I have to use it. ETA- I just saw a PP reply on this very same thing.

I try not to dilly-dally, though.

 

[phragmipedium]

I use it. They're not reserved or exclusive, just there for accessibility. In fact, sometimes I'm guilty of just using it without thinking even if there are other regular stalls available. But it really doesn't make sense to have a big line of people and ignore the accessible stall. I know that sometimes disabilities are invisible, but unless it is an emergency and they are willing to speak up, no one can be faulted for not offering it up to someone with an invisible disability. If I were in the same line with a person behind me who I visibly thought might need to use it, and the other stalls were being used and the accessible stall was open, I would offer them to go ahead of me. Unless I had an emergency, in which case I would probably say so apologetically. It's not required, but it's polite and courteous - I could use any of the soon-to-be opened stalls but presumably she could not. I feel like it would be rude and thoughtless to take it while other stalls opened up that she couldn't use while she waited for me to finish. Life is difficult enough with a disability; if I can do something to make it a little easier for someone, why not?

The woman in your story was rude. If I'd walked out and seen her, I'd have politely apologized and stated the other stalls were filled when I came in. The polite thing for her to do would have been to say, "No problem" and take her turn without going on a tirade. Rude people come in all varieties. I understand it was probably frustrating for her, but sometimes we all just have to deal with being frustrated without flipping out.

 

[Mickey&Donald]

Oh, the big ones are for handicapped people?

I always thought it was the PARTY STALL!

Seriously, though, I do use the HA stall if it's free and no one else is in the bathroom. I don't see anything wrong with that. I think this lady was just being a jerk.

 

[MichelleVW]

I always use the handicap stall it is the cleanest.

I use it because it's the biggest and I'm claustrophobic in those little ones.....can that be a handicap?

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Often times, the handicapped stall is the only one with any room. I am not a fan of straddling a toilet to open the bathroom door inwards so I can get out.

 

[pfishgirl]

Hey! When you got to go you GOT to go, doesn't matter what stall

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yep, I use them all the time!
Especially if the other stall(s) are just too tiny.

This other woman was way out of line!

And, legally, it is my guess that a handicap stall is counted as a stall available to all building occupants to meet occupancy/restroom ratio requirements. In other words, if a handicapped stall is not counted as a full stall, available to everyone, then the building might not meet requirements.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I am not a fan of straddling a toilet

Hey, Tag Fairy!

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

that would happen to me

 

[KyraS]

Since I have a baby in tow with me 99 percent of the time I always use the handicap stall.

 

[tiggerlover]

Bottom line she was rude and totally out of line. There is no reason to leave a handicap accessible stall open if the others are taken and there is no one with a handicap waiting in line. I would have done exactly what you did.

 

[It's A Happy Day]

Considering I usually have 2 youngins in tow we almost always choose the "party" stall because it's easier to just tie up 1 stall for a few minutes and let them both go and me too than try to manuever and "trust" 2 children outside a stall door while we take turns. If a handicap person was there then I would wait but otherwise thats prime real estate and yes, we take advantage of it.

As for the OP, the other woman needs to learn some manners. How does she know that you yourself wasn't handicapped in some way that she could not see? Just because you do not have a wheelchair does not guarantee that you do not have some kind of condition that prevents you from being a contortionist in a 3x3 metal box for the "normal" people

 

[mamajoan]

to those of you who said you would let a person in a w/c in line use the handicap accessible bathroom first ...THANK YOU!!! this from a w/c user.


You have no idea how many time I have had to wait and wait for the one and only accessible bathroom while other stalls are open.
I don't really mind if someone uses the accessible stall.. but please remember folks that it is a disabled person's only choice.

and Ya.. I don't like that the changing station is in the accessible stall.. .
I beg that if you use the changing station ... put it back up on the wall. It really makes a difference to someone like me.

Op.. the w/c user that you encountered was a rude person.

 

[Luv'sTink]

Yes, I use them.

Look at it this way....You know when you walk into a store and they have those doors where a handicapped person can push the button to make them open? Are those doors ONLY for handicapped people? Do you use those doors (not the button, but the doors) I do. They are accessible not exclusive.

Last week I was in Downtown Disney at the Ghirardelli shop, the place was packed! I had to go soooo bad. I walk into the bathroom and the lady in the front of the line is standing there waiting for a stall, the handicap stall was open and she was waiting for one of the other two to become open. The young girl behind her and I kept looking at her like...WHAT are you doing? My phone rang so I left to answer it and dont know if the girl used that stall or not! I left thinking who leaves the stall open because someone MIGHT come in? When I went back after the call there was another line, of course, and it was being used.

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Careful, the Tag Fairy is patrolling the potty thread.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I was flamed for this very issue on this board 4 years ago. A handicapped person posted basically what you said the handicapped person told you and I pointed out that often times the handicapped stall is where the changing table is for babies. When you have a child who needs to be changed, what should you do? You have no other choice but to use that stall. This person thought that you should have to change the baby in a stroller or your car if there is only one handicapped stall as a handicapped person might come into the bathroom and need it. Or that if you must change the baby there because you have no access to the above options, you should leave the stall door open so that if a handicapped person comes in they can use the stall and I could finish changing my baby after the handicapped person has used the toilet. Point was that my baby can wait, whereas this person might not be able to 'hold it in' long enough.

What the? How exactly is someone supposed to stop in mid-diaper-change to let someone else use the bathroom, then finish later? Are you supposed to carry the pantless and poopy-bottomed baby out of the stall? Leave him/her there on the changing table to roll around (and fall off) while the other person uses the toilet?

That has to be one of the craziest things I've ever heard.

As for me, whether I wanted to use the handicapped stall myself or to change a diaper, I would certainly allow any disabled person to use it first, if they were in the bathroom at the time I was to enter the stall. But once I'm in there, it's mine until I'm done!

I promise I'll be quick about it, because I do care about others having to wait, but I don't think anyone wants to see a person leave a bathroom stall before they're finished!

 

[pfishgirl]

Careful, the Tag Fairy is patrolling the potty thread.

Since when did the Tag Fairy start working for the SPP, Secret Potty Patrol?

 

[pfishgirl]

Look at it this way....You know when you walk into a store and they have those doors where a handicapped person can push the button to make them open? Are those doors ONLY for handicapped people? Do you use those doors (not the button, but the doors) I do. They are accessible not exclusive.

Actualy, those doors scare me. I'm always afraid I'll get stuck in the door as it's closing

 

[chisnpeke]

I use handicap stalls and never gave it second thought until someone brought up on here a while back. People can wait their turn, handicapped or not.

 

[Tink & Goofy]

I used it when I was hugely pregnant because I wouldn't fit in the others.
Now I use it to change my DS. So most of the time I have to use it.
If I'm alone, I use it if there are no handicapped people in there and the other stalls are taken.

That person was rude.
I might have pointed out that being a jerk is not considered a handicap.