Do you use the handicapped stall?

[merryweather20]

I think that behavior is rude no matter what kind of stall it is. I'm not sure how we've gone from someone using the bathroom in a handicapped stall to people making out in a handicapped stall. I really don't think anyone here would advocate that.

They are extremely child friendly. Some of them have child restraint seats, changing tables, there is room for strollers, AND the biggest plus, there is room for BOTH the mother and the child. More and more, that isn't the case with a regular stall. Most regular stalls are hard to turn around in much less fit a toddler and an adult in.

Its been in my post all along.

Again they simply aren't child friendly. It is indeed very uncomfortable for a child to try and use such a tall seat. I have no idea, what you mean by "child restraint seat", in a washroom? Huh? If thats where the changing table is or the sanitary dispenser is, that is where it is and that is where you use it.

I'm a little perlexed at all the complaints on the small stalls, and insisting that one can't fit in them. Stalls have gotten much larger over the years. When I used to go to my very old church, or a very old restaurant nearby they did indeed have very small stalls. But, they were also old enough that they didn't have an accessible washrooms either. There is always room in new construction, say anything new enough to require an accessible washroom.

 

[handinpocket]

Ahem.

Allow me to clear up a relatively common misconception.

There are NO amusement parks at Walt Disney World. WDW is a resort complex; its parks are THEME parks, not amusement parks. Six Flags is an amusement park. Canobie Lake Park is an amusement park. Many of you have amusement parks within relative driving distance of where you live - I'd list more, but I don't know other areas.

Magic Kingdom is a theme park. Epcot, DHS, Animal Kingdom? Theme parks. Universal? SeaWorld? Theme parks. Knott's Berry Farm? Ditto.

Do you feel better now? This helps so much with the handicapped stall debate.

 

[Pluto 2]

if all the other stalls are occupied and no one else is waiting of course i will use it.

 

[Magic Mom]

Its been in my post all along.

Again they simply aren't child friendly. It is indeed very uncomfortable for a child to try and use such a tall seat. I have no idea, what you mean by "child restraint seat", in a washroom? Huh? If thats where the changing table is or the sanitary dispenser is, that is where it is and that is where you use it.

I'm a little perlexed at all the complaints on the small stalls, and insisting that one can't fit in them. Stalls have gotten much larger over the years. When I used to go to my very old church, or a very old restaurant nearby they did indeed have very small stalls. But, they were also old enough that they didn't have an accessible washrooms either. There is always room in new construction, say anything new enough to require an accessible washroom.

They simply are child friendly. I know. I used them with my child. You may feel differently, but it's clear you are in the minority about that.

Child restraint chairs are little fold down seats attached to the wall with a buckle harness on them that you can place you child in to keep him/her still while you are using the restroom. I never needed to use it because my kids minded very well, but for very busy kids they are handy.

And regardless of how many posts you've included it in, I still don't see how having makeout sessions in a bathroom pertains to this discussion. Thank goodness, I have never witnessed that.

I disagree that every new construction has large restroom stalls. That is just not my experience.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Its been in my post all along.

Again they simply aren't child friendly. It is indeed very uncomfortable for a child to try and use such a tall seat. I have no idea, what you mean by "child restraint seat", in a washroom? Huh? If thats where the changing table is or the sanitary dispenser is, that is where it is and that is where you use it.

I'm a little perlexed at all the complaints on the small stalls, and insisting that one can't fit in them. Stalls have gotten much larger over the years. When I used to go to my very old church, or a very old restaurant nearby they did indeed have very small stalls. But, they were also old enough that they didn't have an accessible washrooms either. There is always room in new construction, say anything new enough to require an accessible washroom.

The restraint seats are little fold down seats with seat belts to safely place a toddler while the parent uses the toilet. I have only seen them in a family stall that I recall. But they may have been in some accessible stalls. I personally don't use them b/c the ones I have seen are downright filthy. But often, my child is in a stroller and I use that for their restraint.

You may be perplexed--but for me...in some stalls, I am having to lean over the toilet so that the door has clearance to close b/c of my growing belly. Not so much a problem when i am not pregnant and by myself, but I'm having to defer to an accessible stall sometimes simply b/c the logistics of closing the door require acrobatics.

This is not everywhere of course.

Then when you add an extra body, it is a lot tighter.

My children's gym--the bathroom is on the narrower side. They have an accessible stall an then 2 regular stalls. But b/c the walkway has to be accessible for a wheelchair--they compromised by installing what I presume are the smallest possible regular stalls. Modern construction--tight space.
It's just how they built it.


At the local toys are us--they have step stools in the accessible stall for the sink and the changing table and a rocking chair for feeding the baby.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Do you feel better now? This helps so much with the handicapped stall debate.

You must have missed many of my other recent posts (and non-posts). I was TRYING to stay OUT of the actual discussion, given the thread's age. To this end, I even deleted several of my own posts. I only finally started posting ON-topic just two pages ago, and reluctantly:

Okay, I wasn't going to get involved in the actual conversation. I really wasn't. But with the best of intentions...

So, now, do YOU feel better for reprimanding me for simply providing accurate information to a specific statement made in a specific thread?

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

At my old job there was an elderly woman in HR who was convinced the handicapped stall was her personal stall. One time I came out of it and she was there waiting, and if looks could kill...... My coworkers had been victim to the death glares as well. She was such a rude person. One time I was trying to exit the elevator and she pushed past me to get into the elevator first, and said "Excuse me" with an attitude to boot! Someone clearly doesn't know anything about elevator etiquette, but I digress...

I would not use a handicapped stall if there were other stalls available,but if that's the only stall available, I'm going to use it. If it wasn't for that woman from work, I never would have known this issue existed. She was certainly the first person I had ever encountered that was bothered by the fact I was in a handicapped stall.

What I don't get is the need to confront someone about why they are using the stall, if they are handicapped, etc. It's none of their business what someone was doing before they ever entered the restroom. Handicapped or not, that is simply rude behavior, period. I'm not going to be sympathetic of anyone who treats me like that.

 

[Scurvy]

Its been in my post all along.

Again they simply aren't child friendly. It is indeed very uncomfortable for a child to try and use such a tall seat. I have no idea, what you mean by "child restraint seat", in a washroom? Huh? If thats where the changing table is or the sanitary dispenser is, that is where it is and that is where you use it.

I'm a little perlexed at all the complaints on the small stalls, and insisting that one can't fit in them. Stalls have gotten much larger over the years. When I used to go to my very old church, or a very old restaurant nearby they did indeed have very small stalls. But, they were also old enough that they didn't have an accessible washrooms either. There is always room in new construction, say anything new enough to require an accessible washroom.

A child restraint seat is a small seat that is mounted on the wall, much like the diaper changing station. It folds down and has a seat belt, so a child is restrained in it while the mom changes a sibling's diaper or uses the restroom herself. I have often seen them in public restrooms, either next to the diaper changing station or in the handicap accessible stall (whether or not the diaper changing station is located there).

I'm surprised stalls have gotten larger near you; they certainly haven't in the places I visit. In fact, in many older buildings they are virtually tiny because a larger handicap accessable stall has been added so the others have been made smaller. (Yes, it would make more sense to simply have fewer stalls, but that doesn't always happen.) As another poster mentioned, the primary problem when bringing a child into a stall with you is depth, and many stalls are too shallow for a child to stand between their mother's knees and the stall door. I haven't seen a stall in years (other than the handicap accessable stall) which is wide enough for a child to stand next to her mother while the mother uses the toilet.

I'm confused by your continued insistance that handicap accessable stalls are not child friendly when other parents on this thread are stating that they are often the only stalls that will work for a parent and child. Maybe you found that they didn't work for you and your child, but many people find that they work quite well for children. Just because that wasn't your experience doesn't mean that everyone else agrees.

Regardless, the handicap accessable stall is open to all. No one here is advocating using it as a place to "neck", or as a playground for children. It is a place to use the restroom or to adjust clothing. As long as someone is using it for those purposes, they are using it correctly and it isn't up to the rest of us to decide that they don't have the right to use it.

 

[merryweather20]

Probably the same reason that you spoke about making out and smoking in response to my post. Our posts elicited a response from each other and we didn't keep to just that thought.

B/c some venues have just the one stall. It is marked with the wheelchair. So honestly -- how does one handle that situation if the idea is to keep such stalls reserved at all times for only those disabled enough to use it.

That is pure coincidence. I have no idea of which thread you speak nor do I go and follow posters around and drag other conversations into this one.

I simply was making it a point that just b/c someone feels the need to use something, it doesn't give them a right to trump other people.

People who do that with parking spaces are clearly doing something illegal and it is a pet peeve of mine even when I have never needed such a space. Simply brought it up as a means to point out that there are disabled folks with entitlement issues and it isn't up to me to tolerate such viewpoints when they feel their disability trumps respect for others.

I did not bring it up to bash you--and again--pure coincidence and I intended no malice against you when I mentioned it.





Bingo is right.

But I never mentioned smoking, making it a playroom (and yes it is child friendly by the way! Whether or not you choose to believe it, but it does make it easier to handle children)...nor did I mention it as a makeout lounge (really--WHO uses a restroom for that at Disney? I have NEVER come across that in attending Disney since the age of 3.), or a VIP dresisng room.

As for toddlers--what may be easier for you, may not make it easier for someone else and just like I cannot prove to you what makes things easier for you IMHO b/c I am not you, you cannot impress upon other people what may be easier for them.

My children have never had the issues that you have described--so thus, your comment is irrelevant to how I am able to manage my children's toileting habits when they are young and small. You can't prove to me that your way is better--b/c I know from experience what works best for my family.

I quoted you separately, my reply concerning all the misuse of the accessible stall was above. You quoted my whole post.

I see no reason why you decided I didn't want someone to use a stall under any circumstances. It simply isn't in my post at all. Its also common sense.

And again I didn't say I "trumped" someone simply that it isn't great for kids, it isn't child friendly. And its not. I provided the reasons why it isn't.

If you've never seen someone use an accessible washroom for necking stand outside the stand-alone accessible washrooms for a day. Better yet just wait until you need to go. This is actually a problem at Disney most of all. The only other place I encounter this is at the movie theatre, since the only accessible washroom is a separate room with a full door. Its my bet when a young couple comes out giggly, slightly in disarray, then looks slight embarrassed when they see a line of wheel-chairs and walkers and runs away, that they weren't using the room for its intended purpose.

You were the one describing issues with children, so these are your issues not mine.

I am still at a loss as to why you are so adversarial, and many of your challenges are coming out of thin air, not from my posts, which you are quoting.

Good reasons to use the accessible stall are:

1. Its available
2. You need, the higher seat, or the grab bars, or the room to transfer, its the only room with an attached sink so you can take care of neceassary procedures in privacy etc. etc.

It gets old hearing people, imbue the accessible stall with so many properties, like it is some sort of VIP lounge.

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

If you've never seen someone use an accessible washroom for necking stand outside the stand-alone accessible washrooms for a day. Better yet just wait until you need to go. This is actually a problem at Disney most of all. The only other place I encounter this is at the movie theatre, since the only accessible washroom is a separate room with a full door. Its my bet when a young couple comes out giggly, slightly in disarray, then looks slight embarrassed when they see a line of wheel-chairs and walkers and runs away, that they weren't using the room for its intended purpose.



It gets old hearing people, imbue the accessible stall with so many properties, like it is some sort of VIP lounge.

Wow, in my 26 years of age, I have never encountered anything like you've described. I am sure situations like that are not as common as you think. At least I hope not! Eww, who would want to do that in a bathroom of all places?

 

[Scurvy]

Again they simply aren't child friendly. It is indeed very uncomfortable for a child to try and use such a tall seat.

Many toddlers need help getting onto a normal toilet. A handicap accessable one isn't going to be any more uncomfortable for them, because they can't reach the floor on any adult sized toilet, extra tall or not.

Good reasons to use the accessible stall are:

1. Its available
2. You need, the higher seat, or the grab bars, or the room to transfer, its the only room with an attached sink so you can take care of neceassary procedures in privacy etc. etc.

There's also:
3. You (with or without your child, a stroller or anything bulky) need the added room that the handicap accessable stall provides.

Add me to the list that has never seen anyone necking in a public bathroom. The thought is quite revolting to me, but I don't doubt that some people do it. I don't think it could be all that common, though, or surely I would have encountered it at least once.

 

[merryweather20]

Regardless, the handicap accessable stall is open to all. No one here is advocating using it as a place to "neck", or as a playground for children. It is a place to use the restroom or to adjust clothing. As long as someone is using it for those purposes, they are using it correctly and it isn't up to the rest of us to decide that they don't have the right to use it.

Its open to all, but not everyone needs the features. They're even worse for some people. I have seen a good many teeny feet protesting at climbing up on the high seat, when they could use the regular stall like a big girl. I'm sure some of those times, it was the only one available when they came in, but others most certainly could have used the regular stall instead of insisting it had "VIP" features.

And the child restraint seat sound kind of gross

There's also:
3. You (with or without your child, a stroller or anything bulky) need the added room that the handicap accessable stall provides.

I've got to disagree with you on this one. All of those people who insist they need the stall for the various reasons stated in the thread make do in 1/2 second when they find out the toilette is out of order. Me? I'm hightailing it to find a clerk, to get permission to use the mens room. Its fine to use it in rotation, but it gets old, hearing it imbued with magical properties, and hearing people insist they "need" it when they don't. Its unnecessary, its along the lines of when I'm waiting in a long line and someone cracks a joke that it must be nice to be sitting down.

 

[Tinkmom75]

Its open to all, but not everyone needs the features. They're even worse for some people. I have seen a good many teeny feet protesting at climbing up on the high seat, when they could use the regular stall like a big girl. I'm sure some of those times, it was the only one available when they came in, but others most certainly could have used the regular stall instead of insisting it had "VIP" features.

And the child restraint seat sound kind of gross


I've got to disagree with you on this one. All of those people who insist they need the stall for the various reasons stated in the thread make do in 1/2 second when they find out the toilette is out of order. Me? I'm hightailing it to find a clerk, to get permission to use the mens room. Its fine to use it in rotation, but it gets old, hearing it imbued with magical properties, and hearing people insist they "need" it when they don't. Its unnecessary, its along the lines of when I'm waiting in a long line and someone cracks a joke that it must be nice to be sitting down.

What should a mother with an infant in a stroller do? Take the infant out of the stroller, hang onto it while trying to undo her pants and pull them down then use the bathroom with said infant on her lap in a teeny tiny stall? Then hope the infant holds very still and does not wiggle or slip out of her grip when mother is trying to wipe and then pull pants back up and button them.

My son is 4, I take him to the bathroom with me. If the handicapped stall is open you can bet I will use it. I hardly ever see it in use when I go anyway.

ETA: The addition to family bathrooms has been great. At the theaters around me the sign says family bathroom, no handicapped sign, so should I get mad if I see a handicapped person coming out of one of those even though they have the bars and other handicapped accessable things.

 

[Scurvy]

Its open to all, but not everyone needs the features. They're even worse for some people. I have seen a good many teeny feet protesting at climbing up on the high seat, when they could use the regular stall like a big girl. I'm sure some of those times, it was the only one available when they came in, but others most certainly could have used the regular stall instead of insisting it had "VIP" features.

And the child restraint seat sound kind of gross


I've got to disagree with you on this one. All of those people who insist they need the stall for the various reasons stated in the thread make do in 1/2 second when they find out the toilette is out of order. Me? I'm hightailing it to find a clerk, to get permission to use the mens room. Its fine to use it in rotation, but it gets old, hearing it imbued with magical properties, and hearing people insist they "need" it when they don't. Its unnecessary, its along the lines of when I'm waiting in a long line and someone cracks a joke that it must be nice to be sitting down.

No, they don't all make do, though many of them do. I can remember many times when I left a store to go home because there wasn't room for me to fit in the stall with my son and our purchases and there was no larger stall available. I don't doubt that it is harder on you than it is on many of us, but that doesn't mean that the rest of us never have an actual need for the larger handicap accessible stall. Of course there's nothing extra fun or special about it and it isn't a VIP lounge, but it is larger and often has other features (such as the diaper station or restraint seat) that we do need.

I've seen lots of kids protesting that they can use the bathroom alone like a big kid, but having had lots of experience with small children I know to be skeptical of those claims. Kids often tend to overestimate their ability to take care of themselves which is why you sometimes see half naked kids wandering out of the stall asking mom to help them wipe and fasten their pants, or why you'll see frustrated moms standing outside a stall where their child has been sitting for 10 minutes. It is often much easier and much quicker for parents to overrule the child and just help them to begin with. And because more than one person won't fit into many public restroom stalls, that means that we often have to use the larger stall so that our children don't have to use the bathroom in view of other people.

I agree about the restraint seat - my son didn't use it, but for someone with multiple small kids and no stroller I can see how it might be useful.

Regardless, it isn't up to us to decide who needs those features. If someone feels they need the stall, that's all that matters. No one is entitled to evaluate their reasons to see if they are "good enough". They are entitled to use it just like everyone else.

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

Regardless, it isn't up to us to decide who needs those features. If someone feels they need the stall, that's all that matters. No one is entitled to evaluate their reasons to see if they are "good enough". They are entitled to use it just like everyone else.

 

[mjkacmom]

What should a mother with an infant in a stroller do? Take the infant out of the stroller, hang onto it while trying to undo her pants and pull them down then use the bathroom with said infant on her lap in a teeny tiny stall? Then hope the infant holds very still and does not wiggle or slip out of her grip when mother is trying to wipe and then pull pants back up and button them.
.

Right? Try it with infant twins! I was lucky to even find stalls that fit the double stroller, and have, in emergencies, asked another woman to watch my children (I usually had a bunch). There is no way to fit a stroller in a single stall.

 

[kaytieeldr]

ETA: The addition to family bathrooms has been great. At the theaters around me the sign says family bathroom, no handicapped sign, so should I get mad if I see a handicapped person coming out of one of those even though they have the bars and other handicapped accessable things.

You know, since - as has been pointed out a number of times recently in this thread - given that the handicap bathroom stalls are suggestions, vs. law as the handicap parking spaces are, and yes, expanding that to apply to the facilities to which you refer... perhaps they should ALL be renamed "Assistance/HP Bathrooms". Seriously. Then there would be no confusion and (ideally :rolleyes3: ) no controversy over their use. This would cover everything - the "HP" would indicate they're accessible to and for use by solo handicapped individuals, and the "assistance" would mean they're also for use by any parties of two or more when one (or more) needs help using the bathroom for its intended purpose. At the same time it would, ideally, preclude smokers, neckers, and people who THINK it's a dressing room!

 

[FireDancer]

If the older lady had a cane, she well should get that stall ahead of the other person. People who use canes quite probably have some disorder or weakness involving their hips, legs, perhaps spine - and are more likely to need the support bars that are only available beside toilets in the larger handicapped accessible stalls. The mom w/stroller kid was right to allow the woman to go first.

I don't think the person with the cane had a right to skip the line. The first person there gets the stall, first come first serve if you will.

Now, I would allow the person with a cane or wheel chair to but in front of me baring some emergency on my part but that choice is at the discretion of the next person in line.

But, it isn't a super party stall, it isn't great for kids, it isn't a good place to smoke, or neck, or try on clothes.

No need to worry, no one has "necked" since the end of WW2. Probably about the same time they went to a sock hop, sat on a davenport, or got a sarsaparilla from the icebox.

 

[Magic Mom]

Regardless, it isn't up to us to decide who needs those features. If someone feels they need the stall, that's all that matters. No one is entitled to evaluate their reasons to see if they are "good enough". They are entitled to use it just like everyone else.

Nicely said.


oh and at VIP lounges. I have never thought of a public restroom (HA or not) as a VIP lounge. I don't hink i've ever even heard anyone refer to it that way except the PP.

 

[mjkacmom]

INo need to worry, no one has "necked" since the end of WW2..

And that was only when they were courting....