I’ll use the one that appears to be the cleanest. If that’s the handicapped one and no handicapped persons are in sight, I’ll use that and get out as fast as I can.
What she said.
The Americans with Disabilities Act has been a blessing for mothers, y’know? These days it’s much easier to get around with a stroller, lots more ramps, doors with buttons, etc.
When my twins were babies, I’d push my big Graco DuoGlider into the handicapped stall along with me, absolutely.
So I have a question, and I hope this doesn’t come off all dicky, since I don’t mean it that way.
It is - why should a handicapped person get to cut in line? Unless there is some obvious reason, shouldn’t they wait in line like everyone else? Isn’t that the point of things like the ADA - that handicapped people should be treated normally?
I understand that almost no one would make the person wait, and that wheelchairs block entryways, etc. But, really, why don’t they have to wait in line - if everyone in a long line took turns in all of the stalls, the wait wouldn’t be crazy for anyone.
Any handicapped Dopers want to weigh in on this as well?
Memorable.
As so often when you see it used in public, the word “Handicapped” can cover a huge array of conditions. When it comes to a Handicapped toilet stall, they tend to be bigger than a regular stall and have handrails (hence my abuse thereof).
So I guess they were thinking of people who are in a wheelchair or otherwise need extra room to move around. I know I’d hate to try and get into a regular stall with a wheelchair.
Within this group of people with temporary or permanent disabilities, I imagine some of them might also, as part of their medical condition, find it more difficult than I would to wait however long it takes to get a stall. So I’d definitely let them go ahead of me as a general policy.
I don’t suppose there’s any legal enforcement involved (unlike a Handicapped parking spot, where you can get a ticket). Just considerate behavior, which fortunately still happens.
I haven’t really had to think about this in daily life; I never use the stall in a public men’s room if I can help it, and try to find times when the whole room is empty. Then I just try to get the hell out as soon as possible.
Addendum: It occurs to me that the stalls are usually called “Handicapped Accessible”; to me that implies that what’s special is not that they exclude any regular Joe or Jill using them, but that make it easier for somebody with a physical handicap. So it’s not like a parking space.
If I were building an office building, my solution if possible would be to make every stall “Handicapped Accessible”. And with a floor-to-ceiling door and walls. And a really good ventilation system that makes a certain amount of white noise.
There is no law saying you have to reserve toilets for handicapped. There is always at least one to comply with the American with Disabilities Act. Some mens rooms only have one toilet in them too. Personally I’d make sure all the stalls accommodated the person wearing a winter coat and clothing, to allow for the necessary strip down and hooks to hang clothes on. Most stalls would be greatly improved by adding a foot to it’s width.
A person with a disability may take much longer to use a toilet, and they may also have control problems. The handrails and width do make it much easier for many people.
I have IBS/IBD. This means that I sometimes get almost no warning when I need to go. For various reasons, I need the handicapped stall. For one thing, I frequently need the railings. Thus, my feelings on this issue (and I know they’re not gonna be popular).
I think that if you CAN use the nonhandicapped stalls, and one is available, then you should not use the handicapped stalls. Nothing burns me up more than waiting for several minutes for the only stall I can use, while the other stalls are empty, and finally a toothpick sized woman glides out of the handicap stall, having finally finished up her chat session on her cell phone. So far, I haven’t knocked on the door and said that I needed in there, but I’ve come close.
This also applies to the little kids who go in and apparently have a daydreaming session on the pot. Nothing wrong with daydreaming on the pot, I’ve done it myself, but not when others are waiting.
I’m not so critical about those who use the handicapped dressing stalls. Perhaps this is because I do not feel the same sense of urgency.
I do think that the minimum size of regular bathroom stalls should be regulated. I’ve seen stalls that are built so that the door swings as close as two inches from the bowl. I don’t know how any normal sized adult could use such a stall.
I am classified as handicapped not because of my size/weight, but because of my mobility issues and heart problems, which I had BEFORE I got fat. And yeah, I got my handicap plaque before I got fat, too. So put your snark away.
Amen. I hate not having a hook to hang my purse on. If I’m wearing winter gear, it’s even worse. I have to fling my cloak over the door if there’s no hook.
Adding a foot in width would make even normal stalls much easier for everyone to use. And it really wouldn’t take up THAT much more space, even in places where there are multiple stalls on each floor.
Leaving aside the insufferable cell phone chatting: Do you just assume that thin women can’t be handicapped? If the handicapped stall is the only one available or clean, I feel no guilt about using it.
I’d gladly let someone cut in line to use the handicapped stall–even if their handicap isn’t obvious.
And I’ve been known to knock on stall doors. Don’t be shy.
No, I don’t assume that thin women can’t be handicapped. However, the ones I burninate about generally show all kinds of flexibility and able bodiedness.
If the handicapped stall is the only one available/clean, then I don’t mind if able bodied people use it.
There are certain stores and restaurants that I won’t patronize because the bathroom, all of it, is generally dirty. I’ve written a few notes to the HQs, mentioning this, but it’s generally a waste of time. I especially don’t return to restaurants with dirty bathrooms, if I’ve found them dirty more than once. I figure that ONCE might be an accident, but twice or more is an indication that the public bathrooms are not cleaned regularly. And if they won’t clean where the public will notice, I don’t think that they’re cleaning where the public can’t see, either.
A disabled parking spot is protected by law. Unless you have the required permit, you are breaking the law. Besides, disabled parking spots account for a small percentage of the total number of parking places within a given area. It will do you good to walk the distance rather than illegally taking something you not not entitled in the first place, while denying someone else.
OTOH, while disabled toilet stalls are a requirement of ADA, but are not protected by law. While first preference should and must go to those who need legitimately them, barring that, first come, first serve.
I just take whatever the first clean stall I can find is, and I don’t check the handicapped stall until seeing if any other open stalls are clean. I don’t do the sanitary paper-between-ass-and-seat thing, but I won’t sit in someone else’s body fluids either.
I have no problem using the handicap stall if its the only decent one available.
I work in a huge building with 1300 people on site and about 10 restrooms. In the 3 years I have been here, I have seen exactly zero people in wheelchairs or other obvious disabilities. There may be some but they usually work from home. It would be stupid to avoid the handicapped stalls because no one seems to require them.
but not always. For the washrooms, I will tend to use a regular stall, but if I’ve got the kids with me, we’ll all use the larger one. We’re quick enough that we would rarely impact someone waiting for the stall. If there is, then I would certainly apologize for the delay.
For parking, typically we’ll try to find a spot close to the destination even if the spots are available to ensure they are empty for those who have a more pressing requirement (wheelchairs).
My 38 year old wife has a handicap placard. She has MS manifested in a number of ways. Due to a dragging foot she’s managed to break an arm during a fall. It was the physiotherapist who suggested that she would benefit from the tag. Initially we declined the offer since her handicap wasn’t too bad, but the physio said “If you are having a good day, then don’t use it. If you need it you’ve got it.” The GP and 2 neurologists agreed.
In the time since it was first given we didn’t use it much but lately we’ve started using it more whenever there is going to be any lengthy walking. It’s always on display even when we elect to not use it. I never use it when she is not with us…not even tempted.
She is on the end of a lot of hostility when this sweet young thing with 2 7-year-olds in tow parks there and heads toward the entrance. It’s usually the elderly who point out that she shouldn’t be parking there. I tend to point out the placard and that we have the wonderful benefit of using it for the next 40 years. My wife points out that “Yes, thank you, my youth was robbed.”
So as someone on the other side - how does she feel about someone using the handicap stalls and dressing rooms?
She is currently (mostly) able-bodied. She has difficulty after walking for a period of time. Walking a mall tires her legs and is more prone to tripping and falling. Luckily we’ve not been using her wheels for a while. She knows that all people have to use the same facilities and would be cheesed if someone looked at her (if she was using her rollator) and went ahead into the larger stall/room anyway.
I think it’s one thing to use the facilities that are designed to accomodate wheelchairs when there is no-one waiting to use it, but if there are multiple stalls/rooms available and someone chooses the big one because they are next in line would show disrespect for those who have little choice.
Keep in mind that if there is a line-up for stalls/rooms, that everyone is in line to use the next available, while those that require the larger room are in line to use a single one.
the stall allows better access, it’s not a reserved throne. I’ve never given it a first thought about using the larger stall if it’s the only one available. If I’m using a public facility then by default I need to use it right then. Waiting for a handicapped person would take forever versus how long it takes me. It’s not like I’m planning on studying art books or trolling for Senators. In and out, flush as needed.
All we (those who depend on the availablitly of the accessible stalls) “desire” is the right to the same access to public restroom facilities as our able-bodied counterparts. When someone “desires” convenience and selects the accessible stall over the regular stall, that right is taken away. It’s not about the length of the wait, it’s about the fact that the wait is occuring in the first place. It’s not a wait borne out of necessity; rather it’s one borne out of selfishness and apathy. It’s about basic human equality. So please know, you are in fact committing a wrong each and every time you choose to use the handicap-accessible stall when a non-accessible toilet is available.
All you “desire” is the right to the same access as everyone else, yet you demand that the handicap stall be kept in reservation for the mere possibility that you may enter the restroom, so that you do not have to wait?
That’s not equality.
The handicap stall is there. If someone else is using it, you may have to wait. Like everyone else would have to. That’s equality.
EDIT: Oops. On the other hand, handicapped zombies should be given a wide berth. Seriously, what did you do, join the board and do a search for “handicapped” so you can throw a hissy fit?
Just don’t let the zombies use the handicapped stalls, that’s all I ask.