Thoughts on using the disabled toilet?

[winston9999]

It almost answers my own question really. You're not handicapped, so why use the handicapped toilet??

Google has, apparently, a transgender toilet for their employees, whereas others are not so accommodating.

Is using the disabled toilet insulting?

[Mai]

most stores nowadays, at least in my area, dont have it listed as a "disabled toilet"  as all the bathrooms tend to have disability friendly stalls.  but rather is just the "family" bathroom for customers with childeren/babies.   as long as here is noone in it, or waiting to use it, and your quick, i dont see why not to use it.

[winston9999]

most stores nowadays, at least in my area, dont have it listed as a "disabled toilet"  as all the bathrooms tend to have disability friendly stalls.  but rather is just the "family" bathroom for customers with childeren/babies.   as long as here is noone in it, or waiting to use it, and your quick, i dont see why not to use it.

Very true. They are now called family rooms. But what about at work? Are you free to use the female toilet?

I'm trying so hard not to offend.

[Mai]

well, i just started hormones yesterday, so im nowhere near being able to switch. but there is another employee im aware of who is just starting to "pass" and is able to use the ladies room, but still choses the family room whenever it is available.  actually, pretty much everyone at the store picks the family room over either of the gendered bathrooms if its empty.  im in california though, in a fairly laid back area, and work at walmart that recently added its own anti-discrimination/harrasment protection at the corporate level.

[winston9999]

well, i just started hormones yesterday, so im nowhere near being able to switch. but there is another employee im aware of who is just starting to "pass" and is able to use the ladies room, but still choses the family room whenever it is available.  actually, pretty much everyone at the store picks the family room over either of the gendered bathrooms if its empty.  im in california though, in a fairly laid back area, and work at walmart that recently added its own anti-discrimination/harrasment protection at the corporate level.

Congrats, sounds like a good gig. The family toilets always cleaner and better looked after.

<removed misgendering post>
Cindy
Forum Admin

[Tysilio]

I see no reason not to use so-called disabled or handicapped bathrooms. It's far better, in any case, to label them "accessible" bathrooms; their use isn't restricted to people who are officially disabled, and there are many legitimate reasons why someone might chose to use one. Many people's disabilities aren't visible: it would be incredibly rude to challenge someone on their right or need to use an accessible bathroom. A diabetic, for instance, might simply want privacy to do an injection, or a person with bad knees might find it much easier to use the higher toilet. As long as one is mindful that others may be waiting and isn't, for example, hogging it while putting on makeup (), I think it's fine -- especially for anyone who has good reason to be uncomfortable in a gendered bathroom.

[Jill F]

I'm not disabled.  I don't park in their designated parking spaces and don't use their designated bathrooms for the same reason.  Also, one of my departed friends was one of the architects of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, and I don't want him haunting me!

[taxi]

Just curious where you heard about Google's 'transgender toilets'?

[V M]

I became somewhat disabled years ago (Bicycle VS Car thing) I prefer my own bathroom which happens to be set up for people with disabilities and I personally appreciate it as it is difficult for me to go from a seated position to a standing position (Once I'm up I'm generally okay) but it is also difficult to step over the ridge of the bathtub so I'm glad to have the 'Handy bars' there

Would rather have a shower I could just walk into but I am thankful and glad for what I do have

I tend to avoid public restrooms in general but appreciate the fact that they are there if necessary

[rachel89]

I feel it is okay for a trans person to use the "the disabled restroom"  because of safety concerns in an area where people aren't used to seeing trans women. If you are in a more tolerant area, then use the gender appropriate restroom. Simply use common sense if you think a disabled person needs the restroom and don't take too long. Using handicap parking, as tempting as it is on a terribly cold day, isn't nice and worse yet, can be very expensive if you get caught

[big kim]

I use them,I got a RADAR key through the Union when I was a bus driver.Disabled toilets are less likely to be used by druggies where I live,they leave old needles lying about

[Jill F]

Disabled toilets are less likely to be used by druggies where I live,they leave old needles lying about

In my part of the world, restrooms or stalls designated for the disabled are preferred by heroin users for their width (to accomodate multiple users) and relative privacy.  In crappy bars that I used to frequent or jam at and a couple of places where I once worked, it was a regular occurrence. I thought it was nice when they had the courtesy to dispose of the needles more or less properly, but I really hated it when I had to tiptoe around yack in the urinals when there was a perfectly good toilet to do it in next door.  It also sucked back in the day when my job was to clean up after them.

[Cindy]

I have a disabled partner. When she had to go, she had to go. Toilets for the disabled are there for a reason. But never judge who may be disabled, you never know what disability they may have.

As for using people using car parks reserved  for the disabled, I would not fine them. I'd make them live FT in a chair 24/7 for 6 months. Let them use lifters to transfer, let them be incontinent because they can't make it too the loo. Let them be pushed in a chair and insulted for being a bother.

I'll shut up before I get angry.

[ImagineKate]

I use the women's restrooms except for places I am not "out" yet which is basically work and my kids school.

I use the family rooms when I'm with my kids. I have two genders of kids and it's just easier.

[MugwortPsychonaut]

There was a funny episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm (imagine that) about this. Larry David uses the handicap stall and is scolded by a guy in a wheelchair.

[LordKAT]

I have used handicapped stalls, but those were times I was getting around with a walker and sometimes cane, or my brief stint in a wheel chair. The seperate bathrooms are much easier to maneuver in than the stalls in most bathrooms.