Is it okay to use the accessible toilet when you don’t have a disability? - A User Guide to Toilet Etiquette - by Susan Seipel
Currently, there are no laws that mandate accessible facilities for the exclusive use by people with disabilities. Unlike Disability Parking, which will earn you a substantial fine if you don’t have a permit. It is comforting to know you will not be arrested with your pants down for using the lavatory. However, just because something isn’t illegal to do, is it socially acceptable?
Accessible toilets are designed differently for a reason. The purpose is to remove a barrier and enable a person to gain access to perform a basic human function. An obvious example of this is the greater space allowance, which enables a wheelchair user to physically enter the cubicle and close the door for privacy. Other common features include:
● handrails,
● lowered fixtures and fittings (so they can be reached from a seated position),
● higher toilet seat (for easy transfer from a wheelchair),
● emergency alarm cord or button to call for assistance,
● and a contrasting coloured seat plus Braille signage for those with vision impairment.
These variations accommodate a range of disabilities, so be mindful that not every user will have a noticeable impairment. Having more ambulant toilets and Changing Places (http://www.changingplaces.org.au/) will provide for diversity within the disability community.
I think the quick and proper use of accessible toilets by able-bodied individuals when there are no other options is not a big problem, but the misuse and abuse of facilities is a real issue.
Recently I was waiting a very long time to use a unisex accessible toilet in an airport and had to knock on the door as my flight was boarding. A man walked out and ushered me in. Upon closing the door my nostrils were assaulted by the overpowering smell of cigarettes, plus the floor was cluttered with paper and mysterious wet patches. A messy obstacle course that an able-bodied person could avoid is impossible to dodge on wheels. Another common problem is using the space in the accessible bathroom for storage. (Insert angry face emoji here!)
Therefore, the moral decision is simple; it is a matter of courtesy to use the bathroom suited to your abilities and not abuse the privilege. When you have the luxury of choice use it wisely because those who need modifications do not have any other options!
About the author:
Susan Seipel is a diverse para-athlete with a background in swimming, equestrian, and is a triple World Champion in the sport of Paracanoe.
She won a Bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games and was the first Australian in history to win a medal in Paracanoe at Paralympic level. Currently, she is training towards the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Outside of sport, Susan is a proud ambassador for the RSPCA Queensland and is passionate about animal welfare, as well as disability issues.
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Comments
Accessible Toilets
Thanks, nice article. I thought my perspective might be informative for some. I am a building designer with an architectural degree and I have taught building design and construction regulations for over 20 years, as well as designing many buildings containing public toilets.
When we design accessible bathrooms, we deduct one toilet from the number required for each of the seperate male and female toilets, if a disabled access bathroom is required. This means that not only is everyone entitled to use accessible bathrooms spaces, they are expected to. If accessible bathrooms spaces are not used equally by everyone, it messes up the usage rates that have been planned for when buildings are designed. This is all set out quite clearly in the NCC (BCA Vol. 1) and is therefore a statutory requirement. I have found that it is usually facilities managers and other admin staff who are not familiar with the regulations, who try to prevent able-bodied people from using accessible bathrooms.
I am all for making spaces more accessible for all people and one of my passions is accessible design, but when it comes to bathrooms, people with accessibility issues are quite capable of waiting to use the bathrooms just like anyone else. Of course you should probably use the regular bathrooms facilities if they are available, but if they are not or if you have another reason, it is expected that able-bodied people use accessible batroom facilities.
There are far more important things that can be done to improve conditions for people with ambulatory disabilities than not using accessible bathrooms, such as providing methods for escape from buildings for these people in the case of fire or emergency, which currently is not required but which many designers such as myself at least try to make provisions for
Large people don't fit in
Large people don't fit in ordinary toilets, especially those cluttered with those space gobbling jumbo toilet rolls favoured by developers. The only option is an accessible toilet even though being large is not an official disability.
Disabled toliets
I am on Hemo dialysis, I also have a mobility parking card. I show no physical disability but have lost the strength to walk distances and like hand rails and higher toliets to get myself up from. As a side effect of my disability I do not need to go to the toliet a lot, but have to use medication to push everything through, because I can not drink enough fluid to do the job. So when I have to go, I have to go.
I have no obvious disability, and the idea of having to defend myself going to use facilities, that I have every right to use, is just as bad as dealing with notes on the windscreen about not having a disability when I use the parking I am allowed to use.
Yes I have seen people who use disabled toliets for themselves who have children, and take them into the cubicle with them. Good for them, what are they meant to do with the children, leave them outside? Other issues is when a disabled toliet is also used as a baby change room, and people who do not put the change tables away after them. To have to put those things up before you can use the bathroom itself. Does something have to be done. Maybe, but a little consideration on everyone's part would go a long way. Janet New Zealand.