handicap bathroom stalls

[firemanx]

couldn't find the poll so as someone who is handicap I will leave my response here if there is nobody in the bathroom & you need to go bad enough there is no need to mess yourself as it is harder for a wheelchair or handicap get through a puddle or a mudhole, but when iwas in the wheelchair nothing infuriated me like someone dragging there child in there as a learning experience, but when you have to transfer from a wheelchair to a toilet seat or the handicap bars to get up & down you could look @ me & never know that I survived a brain aneurysm & its harder to get up & down off a low toilet w/o bars, but this is just my opinion its just how I feel as somebody who has been in a wheelchair

 

[pieface]

I agree I would never use one unless it was an emergency and I was about to poop my pants.

 

[FireDancer]

What do you mean dragging them in there as a learning experience? If you mean to teach them how to wash their hands, as mentioned in another thread, I agree with you. If you mean potty training I don't. I think a parent that has to be with their child for the purpose of potty training should feel free to use the handicapped stall if it makes it easier to do so, just try and be as quick as you can.

I think often people confuse handicapped accessible with handicapped only. Every single restroom I've ever been in is the former which means use any stall you want no matter your ability but try to be courteous if you can.

 

[Smile&Nod]

I tend to use them if available because they are taller and have bars - I have a bad knee - not apparent in that I can walk mostly without a cane now, but it does make a difference - always feel guilty because I don't look like I need it.

My mom on the other hand does need it and it is infuriating when someone takes a child in who takes FOREVER! I don't even mind if someone with a young child uses it to take the stroller in so they can go without worrying about their child being taken but the kids that take forever to go drive me crazy!

 

[JillyBean1899]

I'll use it if there's a long line and there's nobody that obviously needs it (someone in a chair/on crutches/older, or a parent with a small child). But if someone gets in line that obviously needs it, I have no problem with them jumping to the front and using it as soon as it opens up.

 

[WDWAurora]

I confess-I used the handicapped stall at the new Rapunzel bathroom at the end of January. I was with my dad who has Parkinson's and my 18mo. I am not comfortable leaving the baby with him, so I ran in with the stroller. I was quick, but there was a person with a disability waiting when I came out. Their wait was very short (less than 2 min if they got there when I closed the door-washed my hands in the regular sinks, can't remember if there was one in the stall. I know I was trying to be fast so washed out of the stall).

I felt horrible, but I had to pee, too.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

couldn't find the poll so as someone who is handicap I will leave my response here if there is nobody in the bathroom & you need to go bad enough there is no need to mess yourself as it is harder for a wheelchair or handicap get through a puddle or a mudhole, but when iwas in the wheelchair nothing infuriated me like someone dragging there child in there as a learning experience, but when you have to transfer from a wheelchair to a toilet seat or the handicap bars to get up & down you could look @ me & never know that I survived a brain aneurysm & its harder to get up & down off a low toilet w/o bars, but this is just my opinion its just how I feel as somebody who has been in a wheelchair

Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts.

Just so you know, the polls will be posted on the Facebook page for the show. You can find it here:

https://www.facebook.com/disunplugged

 

[Batgirl67]

I tend to use them if available because they are taller and have bars - I have a bad knee - not apparent in that I can walk mostly without a cane now, but it does make a difference - always feel guilty because I don't look like I need it.

I am in your boat. I have no cartilage in my left knee. Sometimes I need the cane, sometimes I do not, but the taller seats and bars ease that knee pain when getting up. I too feel guilty, but I would never use that stall if someone in line behind me was in a wheelchair or mobile device, I would defer to them.

 

[Justin Jett]

The companion/family restrooms are for families or a parent and child. Pure and simple. The symbol for them IS a parent and small child. While they are accessible, and have the handicapped symbol, I see them as being for families. I will use them if there is nobody waiting, but will yield to a family that needs it.
The example that Kevin gave of the group of teenagers in there putting on makeup while he and his mother had to wait. Yeah, THAT is a problem. A mother/father with children is not a problem.

Wheelchair stalls in the regular restroom are where my personal pet peeve comes in. Anyone who needs to use the disabled stall should use it. However, people who are able to use a regular stall, should leave the wheelchair stall for people who have no other option.

In cases where there is a line for the restroom and every stall is occupied.....I see the disabled stall for anyone to use.
I have no problem with a person with Autism using the wheelchair stall. Anyone who needs it, should use it.

My problem comes when a non-disabled person uses the wheelchair stall when EVERY REGULAR STALL is empty. If a person has the regular stall as an option, they should leave the wheelchair stall for someone who has no other option.
Someone who needs the wheelchair stall for any reason, should absolutely use it.
People with options should yield to people with no option.

If a wheelchair stall is occupied, but a regular stall is available, would/could you use the available stall? Or, do you need to wait for the wheelchair stall? If you would not have to wait for the wheelchair stall, you should use the regular stall, and yield the wheelchair stall to someone who does have to wait. It is just common courtesy. While people should not judge others, people should judge themselves. Civilized Societies do have certain unsaid/unwritten/courtesies. Fifty years ago this topic would never have been an issue OR EVEN MENTIONED.

 

[mdvlprof]

Skip is so eloquent on the issue.
You know if you need HC stall or not. Most days I don't, but it's sure nice to have those bars when I'm having a 'bad' day.

 

[Iggipolka]

As a parent of 4 yr old & a 20 mth old, I have to say that trying to cram the three of us into a regular stall results in chaos. It's a PIA in a handicap stall, trying to get one kid to use the bathroom & keep the other one from touching every dirty thing in the bathroom or pull out all the toilet paper or make inappropriate comments in a loud voice about bathroom activities.

Often the companion bathrooms are occupied & two tiny bladders can't wait for it to become available.

Also, as far as young children taking forever in the bathroom, I so understand, but at least your outside the stall. Try being stuck inside the stall with that child who is trying to take care of her needs, plus another child who is trying to stick her hand into the toilet. Parenting can be just sooooo wonderful at times.

The point of all this.... Most parents aren't trying to be disrespectful to those with physical needs for whom the handicapped stall is a necessity. We're just trying to survive, take care of our kids & maybe even get to use the bathroom ourselves.

 

[Jafar30]

Like Craig mentioned on the podcast if I'm at a sporting event and you go what's available first. And I will say at work I've used it more than once. My section of the building there are three urinals and three stalls and every now and them it's the only one open. And I must admit it is rather roomy.

But usually at Disney or another theme park I've never run into a situation where I had to use it.

 

[HopperFan]

The companion/family restrooms are for families or a parent and child. Pure and simple. The symbol for them IS a parent and small child. While they are accessible, and have the handicapped symbol, I see them as being for families. I will use them if there is nobody waiting, but will yield to a family that needs it.

Wheelchair stalls in the regular restroom are where my personal pet peeve comes in. Anyone who needs to use the disabled stall should use it. However, people who are able to use a regular stall, should leave the wheelchair stall for people who have no other option.

Disney World does not have any Family Restrooms that I have ever seen. They do, however, provide "Companion-Assisted Restrooms" (their name for them) for the disabled and their companion whether that be a family member or hired aide. Many times the assistant is of the opposite sex so therefore this is their ONLY option. There are very few of these around the parks and often the disabled persons do not have the same hold capacity of others making it more urgent. These rooms are not for families, not changing rooms, not teen party rooms and not for the non-disabled who decide it's open so why not. The sign is clearly a Man/Woman and Wheelchair. There is no child on the signs. The only time I think it is fine for "a family" is when a Dad has a small girl (and no female companion to assist) who can not go into the restroom alone. Girls do not belong in Men's rooms. Ladies rooms however are private and fine to take small boys in to. Most children's needs can be met in the traditional bathrooms.

I wish Disney would either install Family Restrooms or triple the number of Companion-Assisted Restrooms because I am a female who travels with a very disabled 30 year old male. Every trip we have problems with people using these restrooms that don't need it because we have no other choices. Every trip, every bathroom stop we are placed in the situation of waiting, sometimes cutting it close for people who have other choices. Note: when I do have another male with me, I do not tie up this restroom even though it would be much easier for us physically, we send male with male into the regular restroom.

Please have some consideration for those who truly need these rooms, walk a few more steps and use the traditional bathrooms. These are much more limited than HA stalls and should more than any other bathroom be left available to those who really need them.

I am not inferring that this poster is not in need of these bathrooms at all, I just don't want others reading this to think they are Family restrooms.

 

[Justin Jett]

Disney World does not have any Family Restrooms that I have ever seen. They do, however, provide "Companion-Assisted Restrooms" (their name for them) for the disabled and their companion whether that be a family member or hired aide. Many times the assistant is of the opposite sex so therefore this is their ONLY option. There are very few of these around the parks and often the disabled persons do not have the same hold capacity of others making it more urgent. These rooms are not for families, not changing rooms, not teen party rooms and not for the non-disabled who decide it's open so why not. The sign is clearly a Man/Woman and Wheelchair. There is no child on the signs. The only time I think it is fine for "a family" is when a Dad has a small girl (and no female companion to assist) who can not go into the restroom alone. Girls do not belong in Men's rooms. Ladies rooms however are private and fine to take small boys in to. Most children's needs can be met in the traditional bathrooms.

I wish Disney would either install Family Restrooms or triple the number of Companion-Assisted Restrooms because I am a female who travels with a very disabled 30 year old male. Every trip we have problems with people using these restrooms that don't need it because we have no other choices. Every trip, every bathroom stop we are placed in the situation of waiting, sometimes cutting it close for people who have other choices. Note: when I do have another male with me, I do not tie up this restroom even though it would be much easier for us physically, we send male with male into the regular restroom.

Please have some consideration for those who truly need these rooms, walk a few more steps and use the traditional bathrooms. These are much more limited than HA stalls and should more than any other bathroom be left available to those who really need them.

I am not inferring that this poster is not in need of these bathrooms at all, I just don't want others reading this to think they are Family restrooms.

Just for clarification......I was making a general blanket statement. Also, in the context of public restroom, "family" and "companion" are interchangeable terms. These restroom, regardless of how they are labeled, are perfect for a parent and child to use.

A child that is too young to use the restroom alone does need assistance from a companion, be that a parent, grandparent, or sibling.

The terms were used interchangeably in this thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1643853

 

[Justin Jett]

This is not just a problem at Disney. It is an issue at any public place.