Is it appropriate to do this?

Question

So I'm writing this from a place of understanding that I don't know what its like to have a disability and am asking advise from those who do. I understand that this question is a bit odd but am asking it from a genuine place and don't mean to be inappropriate or "mocking". Today I used a public restroom and used the larger stall that is designed for persons who use a wheelchair. As I left I realized that there was a person in a wheelchair waiting for the bathroom. Is it okay for those of us who aren't in wheelchairs or with walkers etc. to use the larger stall or would you prefer us to wait until the next one opens? I hope I haven't offended anyone but please let me know if I have.

Answer 1

I am a person in a wheelchair. If there are no other stalls open to use, then I think it's fine for you to use the handicap stall. If there is another open stall, please use it instead of the big stall!! It is impossible for me to get inside of a small stall to use the bathroom, and usually I have to go really bad (part of my disability causes me to have poor bladder control - it absolutely sucks). It's horrible to have to sit outside of the stall and pee my pants because someone is using the only stall that I can fit into!
I have no problem with people using the stall when the others are full. In fact, I think it would be silly of them to wait in line if that stall was empty. But if the other stalls are available, PLEASE PLEASE use them first before using the only stall that can accomodate my chair.

Answer 2

It is a dilemma, if it is not being used, it does seem to make sense to use it--especially if the others are occupied. That is reasonable and probably acceptable to most people who are not disabled. If the others are not occupied, I'd say use a regular stall.

I say use a regular one whenever you can because keep in mind someone using a walker or cane or wheelchair has had to take a lot longer time to get into the bathroom, and they may not be able to wait as long as you--it takes time to transition from a access aide like a walker or wheelchair to the toilet, so usually when someone with a disability comes into the restroom, they probably really need to go badly. I;d recommend everyone be considerate and just use the regular stalls if they are available, so that the accessible one IS accessible to those who need it.


Of course, what we all should scream about is decent sized regular stalls for everyone, in addition to the accessible stalls for those who need accessibility! Some are so small you can't hardly get in and out, and forget it if you have a small child with you! Fix that problem and there would be less incentive to use the "big stall".

Answer 3

I have read what everyone else has said and it seems like all of you are from the USA.

I am an Australian but have been to the USA once on a holiday together WITH A FRIEND WHO USES A POWERCHAIR. We have seen the set up for public toilets there, so I know what you are talking about.

My answer to you is YES, it is appropriate to use the larger stall. You weren't to know that there was a person coming in after you. If all the other cubicles are full - then you are within your right to use it since it is there to be used and it is NOT designated to be used by people with impaired mobility.

In Australia, things are different. Most public toilets and the ones in the shopping malls have larger toilet SEPARATE to the others. There are many advantage to this. The toilet is unisex and therefore if the person in the wheelchair is a male but the caregiver is female - BOTH can go into the same room especially if the person needs total assistance. Because it is designated, (usually) there is no queue to wait for. Mothers with prams can also use it. This is better than causing congestion in the regular toilets (either with a pram or a wheelchair)

Because it is a designated toilet only for people with a disability or parents with children, ordinary people who use these toilets are looked upon in the same light as people who parked in Mobiliy access parking zone (and YES!, there are people who DO use them purely because they are inconsiderate and give no thought that my friend and I are IMPATIENTLY waiting outside!)

Hope this makes sense to you Americans.
It is probably hard for you all to read my Aussie typing accent. LOL

Answer 4

From a mathematical standpoint, the odds are in your favor and the person with a handicapped is given another disability -- less odds of availability for restroom stall use. If a restroom has 4 stalls, but only one is designated for handicapped use, do you feel you have the same odds for toilet use as the wheelchair-bound person? Suppose every stall was occupied when you walked into the restroom, and suppose a person with a handicap entered a similar restroom at the same time. The odds are in your favor of getting a chance to squeeze out your business before the handicapped person will have that opportunity. You'll take the first available stall that becomes open. The person with a handicap only has one choice, and must wait solely on the one person occupying the handicapped stall to hurry-up, wipe, flush, and get out of the stall! Hopefully the person isn't constipated in that handicapped stall...because the waiting person with a handicap will be sh*t-out-of-luck! I suggest you leave the handicapped stalls available for those to whom they're designated for. Everything will come out much better in the end if we all cooperate!

Answer 5

I always make sure no one is waiting for the stall.

The best thing is to let the person in a wheelchair go first, and use another stall.. If you used the stall, and when you got out of there, a person in a wheelchair showed up, don't worry about it.

Answer 6

So, lets take a different approach. Think for a moment if YOU were the person in the wheelchair, and needed to go to the bathroom. You enter, see several stalls empty....except the ONLY one that YOU can access.

So, unlike the other posters who seem to think that the challenged are whiners and should have to legislate everything, why can't we just agree to do the decent thing, and try not to use space designed for the those with unique physical needs if other space is available? Is taking the time to think of others and their needs really that odious?

Answer 7

You have no need to feel bad about what you did. There were no other available stalls so you had no other choice. Besides the wheelchair user wasn't even in there before you went in. Besides, before I became a wheelchair user I used to use the handicap stall all the time anyways.

Answer 8

I agree that if it's empty, use it. It's not like we are in there more than 2 minutes.
But one thing I've noticed is usually the baby changing station is in the handicapped stall, because it's larger I'm sure. But when you have to go and then change a baby, that can take a few minutes sometimes.
Just an observation.

Answer 9

Yeah is OK! I'm just broke me leg really bad and so i am on a wheelchair and i don't mind. i understand that some people like their restroom area a little bigger than the other stalls.

Answer 10

It is perfectly fine to use it that stall. Now, If there was a huge line and she was waiting in it, all others that don't need the extra room should point the handicap one out to her. You never know, she might not need to use it as much as others and say, "go right ahead, I'm alright waiting". So, mostly just remember, if you see someone in the line behind you, I wouldn't use it.