Disabled Toilet Use.

I remember many moons ago taking my young sons into the disabled toilet in Burger King in Princes Street in Edinburgh, as there was a massive queue for the ladies’ toilet. I was thoroughly chastised by a very unpleasant young staff member when we came out, even though I pointed out that there were no disabled people waiting .
Mind you, my strongly worded letter ( well, it was a long time ago!) resulted in loads of vouchers for free burgers. They were only valid for a few weeks, so everybody I knew got a couple!

Is it too much to ask that all loos should be accessible to everyone?!

I remember when my children were small having to take them in with me when I needed the loo and the cubicle was often so small the child had to virtually sit on my knee whilst I did what I needed!

I rarely use public toilets but have occasionally used disabled toilets if available though am not disabled . I do like a raised or higher toilet which makes it so much easier to sit on and get up from.

I used the disabled loo at the mall once as I was in a hurry. When I came out there was a very angry looking lady in a wheelchair and her carer waiting to get in. I've never used that loo again!

I'm physically disabled and we have the disabled loo attached to the TIC and over the road is the non-disabled ones.

Unfortunately some women and men who use the none-ones are selfish and filthy and block the loos with water overflowing over the seats and waste overflowing so then it costs the council a fortune to have to keep un-blocking them so while I have a RADAR key I can use either the disabled or non-disabled but I bought a RADAR for my non-disabled husband just incase he can't use the gents and he uses the disabled one instead but he only does when he really has too!

Re hidden disabilities, there are also many conditions which, while not strictly speaking a 'disability', may mean that the person simply cannot wait to use a toilet. You can get 'can't wait' cards which explain this, but I can only echo what others have said, you don't have to look 'disabled' to need to use a disabled toilet. People shouldn't rush to be so judgemental in these situations.

People should not judge , disability is not always visible. I am not disabled but my knees and hips are not what they were. Our M&S have a loo for disabled people the regular loos have one at the end with hand rails on both sides - I do try to bag that one if possible. Such a simple thing so why can't all the loos have handrails !? Then non disable people who are just aging and the young and fit can use them . Leaving the disabled loos for those who really need them .

The saying, "Don't judge a book by it's cover" comes to mind. So many people think that disabilities can be easily seen but they can't. No-one knows how much people are suffering inwardly with an illness even though they look perfectly fine on the outside.

These people should remember that what goes around comes around and one day it may be them wanting a disbled toilet or parking place.

I have difficulty getting up and down stairs but I don’t use walking aid or wheelchair. Disabled toilets are a great help for me it’s annoying that you have to ask for the key though. Sometimes the look I get is disbelief when asking for a key too much judgement on appearance.

Although I carry a radar key, it does annoy me when I find that the disabled loo is locked.
I thought it was against the law to lock these, as they need the same to have the same access as any other public loo.

Just to emphasise Whiffs' post about invisible disabilities. One of my gchildren had a condition, (checked and treated by local children's hospital). This meant that the nerve endings of her anus did not work (started to work properly in her teens). So like a small baby she would have a bowel movement without either knowing about or being able to control it. So, it meant that her Mum would always have to carry spare clothing and carrier bags, and take her into a loo to wash and change. Needed a disabled loo both for the space and the basin being next to loo. It looked as if a perfectly healthy Mum and daughter were using these and taking quite a time. They were often abused as they left.

I was in Marks & Spencer once in the queue for the loo. There were 3 cubicles and the queue was quite long. The disabled loo was across a little corridor and a lady in our queue decided that whoever was in there has been in there too long and began rapping on the door with her walking stick, shouting 'hurry up'. Eventually a lady came out and said 'Please do not do that. I have a colostomy bag and it takes time.' I have always avoided disabled loos after that in case someone has an urgent need.

At our local cathedral where my choirs often give concerts, the ladies’ loos are extremely tiny, not just the cubicles but also the wash basin and drying area. It is hard to do what you need to do if you are a normal size, impossible if over-sized. There is always a long queue. We also use the separate disabled loo in turn, giving way to anyone who actually needs to use it. Weirdly, whilst queueing for the Ladies, you can see into the gents every time the door opens.
This whole area has been retro-fitted into an ancient building. Obviously designed by a slim man.

I've had a Radar key and used the disabled toilets for several years.

First with babies and toddlers in nappies.
It's often where the changing table is.

Then with slightly older children who still need some help using the toilet and washing their hands.
It's not easy trying to squeeze into an ordinary toilet cubicle with three under-fives 😂

Now I only look after school-age children, so we're back in the normal toilets.

First off not all disabilities are visible. At person with a catheter or a stoma shows no sign of disability. But need to use a disabled toilet for the extra room to assist in whatever they need to do. Plus a host of conditions that aren't visible but the person needs the space a disabled toilet offers.

I have been disabled from birth and been walking with a stick since I was 29. When my children where young it was easier for us to go out as a family . I did use the disabled toilet then . When they where older I didn't use a disabled toilet but my daughter from the age of 8 had to go with me incase I couldn't get off the seat.

Over the years I would use a disabled toilet but sometimes some on was in and I needed the toilet straight away. So use normal toilet. Last time I did that was 4 years ago and couldn't get off the toilet. And had left my stick by the door and couldn't reach it. In the end had to rock back and forth and push on the toilet seat with my hands so I could get up. Since then always use a disabled toilet plus I brought radar keys from eBay incase it's locked.

So pleased no one judge anyone who uses a disabled toilet as you don't know what is wrong with them. I don't look disabled until I move.

I am not registered disabled, I am able to walk reasonable distances. But I struggle, like Marydoll, in a narrow space because I have shoulder problems. I will sometimes look to see if I am able to use the normal loos, if not, then I use the diabled ones. I also sometimes ask if the usual loos are up or down stairs - I explain to staff that I can manage the stairs, but am slow and will hold up others!

Theexwife

I think they are for everyone, however a disabled person should have priority.

I use them a lot, because I have disabilities, although not a wheelchair user. I find it quite difficult to move in a narrow space,
In Glasgow many of toilet and pub restaurants are in the basement. I might get downstairs eventually, but would never get back up. Disabled toilets are a necessity for me in these establishments.
However, if they are free and there is a queue, I think non disabled people should use them.

If the disabled loo is empty I nip in there quickly.If no queue in the ladies then I use the normal loo.

I used a a wheelchair friendly toilet at our local hospital last week. It was remarkably clean and shiny with the "high" seat and rails you can pull down. It was clutter-free so you could actually get a wheelchair in and the washbasin was low enough to use seated. The soap dispenser and the paper towel dispenser owever were both at (nearly) standing-up shoulder height!

I reported it - but why oh why do they think it's acceptable to not allow wheelchair users to use soap and a towel??

My disabled son has given me permission to use them. So that's sorted.

I think they are for everyone, however a disabled person should have priority.