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Using The Disabled Toilet When Not In A Wheelchair
Jonathan1990
Posts: 1,520 Forum Member
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Since I got diagnosed with something back in 1995 at the age of 5 which I'm too afraid to go into on here my family has always had a key for the disabled toilet. I can walk though and use the proper ones. I only go in disabled toilet when the men's is very busy like in a supermarket or if I'm not feeling well now. How many people use the disabled toilet although they are not in a wheelchair? I have seen everybody use it if they close the proper ones but then there is a huge queue.
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Which disablo-crappers are you visiting that require keys?
The once I use you can just waltz in. Once you push the other folk out the way obvs.
The ones with RADAR NKS keys I assume.
Although I think there's far to many RADAR keys knocking about these days,
you can buy them on ebay.
back to the OPs question
Disabled toilets are not exclusively for those in wheelchairs.
It's unfortunate that some take the "wheelchair symbol" too literally, including some wheelchair users.
Such toilets in public buildings, without keys, can be used by anyone.
RADAR ones are intended for anyone who needs the extra space/mobility aids in the toilet. I use them because I have an illiostomy which is difficult to empty without kneeling down, and pretty impossible to change.
They probably mean the ones that use the RADAR key.
I have one too, which I use if there are no other toilets near by.
Unless I was desperate I would always let someone more physically disabled use the toilet first, but I often need to use the toilet because I am desperate due to IBS.
On a serious note, I wouldn't make a habit of using disabled toilets - but I wouldn't hesitate to use them if there was no other option (in the local McDonalds the regular toilets are usually locked, but the disabled ones aren't, which makes no sense).
I wouldn't say they are just for people in wheelchairs - an ex of mine (who had a disability, but didn't use a wheelchair) had a RADAR key and used disabled loos primarily because they were often closer than all the other toilets (in stadiums and things) and it meant less stair climbing or walking for miles.
RADAR keys can be bought online, they aren't a means-tested thing.
Those toilets are for disabled people not just people in wheelchairs
I use the disabled toilet if I'm out as I need help getting on and off the toilet
You don't really have to be disabled either. Toilets have to be accessible to people with disabilities but are not for the sole use of people with disabilities (except the few locked radar ones). Of course you'd be extremely selfish to use a disabled loo when there are standards loos available, but if there isn't or they're all in use then its fine!
Good point
Haha, I like that explanation.
Legally, various business premises are obliged to provide toilet facilities that are suitable for disabled people, which includes being big enough for a wheelchair user, but they'll also have a sanitary bin, which regular gents toilets may not have.
At my old work, the only toilet in the reception/waiting area was the disabled loo, so that's what visitors are expected to use. Quite a lot of my colleagues would use it routinely too, and I'm fairly certain most of them had no reason other than it was a bit less dingy.
I personally would avoid using a disabled loo if there was a normal one convenient, but it is incorrect to presume they are for the exclusive use of people with a disability.
Quite often I've been in places where there are queues out of the door for the ladies loos, which winds past a disabled toilet, that no-one has the guts to use. I think that's daft, and ultimately, unhelpful. I'd just hope that a person who needs that specific toilet can go straight to the front of the queue.
On the other hand, Radar keys for public toilets are supposed to be restricted, but obviously there are some people who abuse the system.
Round my way there are several places where the ladies is the disabled loo so yes, I use the disabled loo.
I picked up a Radar key off Amazon (on the recommendation of some friends who had bought them too) and I make use of it when the regular toilets are busy and I don't want to queue.
I did the same, if I was out with my kids on my own I'd use the larger stall and take them in with me.
I don't see the disabled toilets as existing for the 'sole' use by disabled folks. They are there to accommodate someone who needs extra space or assistance and other people may use them too if need be. Now that my children are grown I don't use them unless there's no other toilet available.
Disabled toilets also come in handy for men out with children... When I was too little to go in the ladies by myself my step-dad would take me in the disabled toilet and he does the same now when he takes my daughter out. When any of my male friends take my kids out for the day I tell them to take my daughter in the disabled toilet if she needs to go.