Handicap Parking and Bathroom Etiquette

Clearly it's against the law to park in a handicap spot. I wouldn't anyway, but feel differently about the restroom stall. I was yelled at once for using the handicap stall (for under a minute). It was open, no one was in there at the time, other stalls were full. I thought it was ok, nothing was posted otherwise. But I got an earful when I came out by a woman who did not appear to be disabled. I apologized, but didn't really feel like I deserved the reprimand. I thought these stalls made the restroom accessible, but didn't think they were handicap ONLY. What's the law?

Wide and spacious toilets can be a favor for handicapped or disabled person. Larger toilets are good.

portable toilets florida ( http://www.mesawasteservices.com/ )

Being someone who once weighed 310 pounds, I can say I used many handicapped stalls in restrooms in the past because I literally couldn't fit into most 'normal' sized stalls. If I fit in one, I couldn't safely pull my pants down without sticking a limb through the door/wall. I know I'm not the only one to do this because I've seen many other overweight women use them as well. Now I'm 60 pounds lighter and I can use the regular stalls once more, though some could use a few more inches of space.

As far as parking spaces go, I could never park in them. I probably wouldn't even if I were allowed to (Unless I needed the space if I had to use a special van). It just irks me when people park in those spots and don't have the handicapped car tags/stickers/etc. and appear to be just fine (jogging/walking fast across to the stores).

I also find that I get quite irked when men park in the 'expectant mother' spots in the parking lot too! *shakes fist*

Use of handicap spaces when one doesn't have a placard is a terrible thing.  I recall somebody comparing having to use an unreserved space when one has a disability to an able-bodied person needing to crawl from it to the establishment.  I have only parked in them on a few occasions, and all were when I had somebody with a disability with me.  I do know that in some circumstances, however, the disability is not visible... I have an aunt who may need to be in a wheelchair some days, or use a walker other days, or who some days may not need the walker but who still has mobility problems.  She does in fact need the space, even if some people think she doesn't.  I know, however, that I do not.  I mean, big deal, I have to walk a little longer.

The restrooms however are less of a problem.  Do they need to be empty at all times regardless of the line? No!  That doesn't mean I think we should have license to make a disabled person wait in line for the restroom, but the point of accesible restrooms is not to give handicapped people a priority place in lines, but to give them enough space to be mobile in them.  In short, they are handicap-accessible, NOT (like parking spaces) handicap-reserved.  That means of course I'd let somebody with a handicap go before me if there was a line and that stall or other venue opened, because I can use the next available non-accesible stall and ze can't, but I'm not just going to leave it empty when all the other stalls are full because I have bodily functions too.

-- Jack Scheerer
Queer Liberation! ( http://www.myspace.com/queerliberation )  - Queer Trans-Feminist Essays

I'm slightly torn on this issue...as I also face the dilemma of regulating ADA Compliant Portable Toilets ( http://www.mesawasteservices.com ) use by AB's during outdoor concerts, events and fund raising venues. I have gone so far as to actually put signs up that read 'facility use is limited to disable people only'...Absolutely raising a huge disgruntled stirring amongst the able bodied folks.

But heh, I must stand by and uphold the rights of disabled folks to have sanitation accommodations that are sufficient in capacity.

I regard a non-disabled person using the handicapped parking as (at best) uncivilized. The handicapped stall in the bathroom? Not so much, especially if there's a line.

Liz Ditz
I Speak of Dreams ( http://lizditz.typepad.com )
lizditz@gmail.com

I totally agree that it is wrong to park in a handicap space if you are not handicap its rude now as for handicap bathroom stalls to be honest all stalls need to be bigger when you get in one of those small stalls its like being shoved in a box..I like the extra room but if there is a line and a disabled person comes in I am for sure going to let them go ahead of me its the right thing to do and also I am on laysix and omg margalit is not lying when the moment hits and you gotta go man you sure as heck better go

In a separate, but related use for single stall restrooms is their use by transgender people. Bathroom violence is an issue ( http://www.exgaywatch.com/wp/2006/12/in-defense-of... ), especially with regards to male-to-female transsexuals who don't "pass" in their target sex as yet.

The Transgender Law Center ( http://transgenderlawcenter.org ) has released "Peeing In Peace ( http://transgenderlawcenter.org/pdf/PIP%20Resource... )," a resource guide. Quoting from the summary:

Safe bathroom access is not a luxury or a special right. For many transgender people, finding a safe place to use the bathroom is a daily struggle. Even in cities or towns that are generally considered good places to be transgender, many transgender people are harassed, beaten, and questioned in both women’s and men’s rooms.

Without safe access to public bathroom, transgender people are denied full participation in public life. For example, transgender youth may be unable to complete school due to a lack of safe bathroom access or transgender employees may be unable to find or keep steady employment when bathroom issues come up in the workplace.

Essentially, the problems associated with disabled bathroom use isn't the only public bathroom related issue that needs attention.

United Spinal Association and quad rugby Paralympian Mark Zupan––star of the Academy Award-nominated documentary Murderball and United Spinal member––have teamed to produce a fast-paced and exciting new public service announcement targeting accessible parking for people with disabilities.

Go here to view the video:

http://askpatty.typepad.com/ask_patty_/2007/03/par...

Expertly blending courtside shots of Zupan in his quad rugby wheelchair with footage of him behind the wheel of a specially adapted automobile, the PSA dramatically contrasts Zupan’s game strategy and his efforts to move a thoughtless driver out of a handicapped parking spot. With rapid visual cross-cuts and Zupan’s sharp narration, viewers are left with the clear message that parking in a handicapped spot, even for a minute, is “60 seconds too long.”

The spot, directed by the renowned United Kingdom-based filmaker, Doug Hurcombe of Astroman and produced by Ben Timlett of Ben & Bill Productions, will be offered to television stations, the internet and sports arenas nationwide.

Government studies estimate that the number of vehicles adapted for use by people with disabilities currently exceeds 400,000 and this figure is bound to grow as age-related disabilities affect a greater portion of our population. Misuse of parking reserved for people with disabilities is a little-known, but daily, frustration for the disabled community and inconsiderate use of these spots restricts their ability to shop, attend cultural events, make doctor appointments, and actively participate in the life of their communities.

United Spinal has been at the forefront of the battle to secure and defend the rights of all people with disabilities and ensuring full accessibility has been a major focus of our efforts for over 60 years. This informative new video serves as a lively reminder that the freedom and mobility of our fellow citizens with disabilities depends on the courtesy and respect of each of us.

Take action with our handy “Parking here for ‘Just a Minute…’ is 60 Seconds too long!” parking pad. Simply slip one of these informative reminders under the offender’s windshield wiper and you’ve made your point!

United Spinal Association is a national advocacy and disability rights organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with spinal cord injuries and disorders. Guided by the belief that the benefits of athletic competition are no different for athletes with disabilities than for the able-bodied, the Association sponsors a wide variety of wheelchair recreational and adaptive sports programs. Membership in United Spinal is free and open to all individuals with spinal cord injuries and disorders.
Jody DeVere
President
www.waai.com ( http://www.waai.com )
Chair United Spinal Motorsports
www.unitedspinal.org ( http://www.unitedspinal.org )
President
www.askpatty.com ( http://www.askpatty.com )

Ph: 888 854 9929
Cell : 805-208-1008
Fax: 805- 375-3922
eMail: jdevere@askpatty.com
AIM Screen Name : "askptty"

I generally try to not use the handicap bathroom stalls. However, a lot of places put the baby changing tables in the handicap stall. That's not too surprising since there's more space. I don't think the fold out changing tables (ones that are installed in the wall and you pull open) would literally fit in a regular stall. When I need to change my baby, I will use the handicap stalls if the changing table is in there. Last week I needed to change my 9 month old when we were at a restaurant. I took him into the bathroom and all the stalls were open except the handicap one where the changing table was located. After a few minutes a woman and her daughter came out. When the woman realized that I had been waiting for the changing table, she was very apologetic. Obviously this was not a crisis so I didn't really care, but it did make wonder what would happen if someone who was handicapped needed to use the bathroom.
A. Elliot ( http://www.flexibleparenting.com )

I have congestive heart failure due to a congenital heart defect. I am physically disabled. Sometimes I am relegated to a wheel chair when my heart function declines. Most of the time I am not. If you were so see me, you would not know that I am handicapped. I have an invisible disability. I also have a handicap parking placard. When people park in handicap spaces without a placard, they are taking my ability to shop, go to the doctor, or do my errands. I HAVE to have a close space. Walking across a parking lot could potentially kill me. So I never ever want to hear "I only ran in for a few minutes" because your few minutes means that I'm unable to do what I need to do because you're a selfish asshat. You don't EVER park in a handicapped space without a placard. EVER. I don't care what your excuse is. Just don't do it.

As for the bathroom issue, I had plenty to say during the original thread on Mom to the Screaming Masses. Part of my disabiity is a requirement to take large doses of Lasix, a strong diuretic. Depending on my heart function, Lasix can make me need to pee every 10 to 15 minutes for up to 4 or 5 hours. And when I say need to pee, I mean going from dum de dum de dum to OH MY GOD I HAVE TO PEE THIS INSTANT in about a second. My bladder fills up so quickly that if I sit on the pot for more than a couple of minutes, I can just pee and pee and pee like I've got a catheter installed. I know, TMI, but it's important to learn that I'm not alone here. Plenty of heart patients have the same symptoms. And to have to wait for a handicapped stall behind some woman trying to potty train her triplets for a half hour is just wrong.

If nobody is in the bathroom and there are non-handicapped stalls, use them. Heck, I do all the time. And yes, they are small and hard to navigate. But if I can, you can. If you have a physical handicap that requires that you must use a handicap stall, that stall should always be available to you. It isn't equal treatment when you wet your pants waiting for someone to guide their toddler through using the potty. It's taking accessability away from the handicapped. So DO NOT DO IT.

Handicap stalls are not for parents with a lot of kids. I have twins and I found it perfectly easy to never use the handicap stalls thru potty training and beyond. When I had to pee and used a regular stall, I had two rules. I needed to see my kid's feet sticking out under the door and they had to sing, loudly, so I could hear them. They never got nabbed, they were never bothered, and it was obvious to anyone in the bathroom that they had a parent looking carefully at them every second. It CAN be done.

But it can only be done if able-bodied people realize that their needs are not more important than the needs of the handicapped. You're not special. You don't deserve special treatment. You don't get to make lame excuses for taking accessability away from the handicapped because you might be a little bit less comfortable for 3 freaking minutes. Reach outside of your own bubble and imagine what it's like for someone who is physically ill and needs the use of a bathroom immediately. And stop making excuses about how hard it is with toddlers. People did it for thousands of years without handicapped bathrooms. I'm sure you can, too.

Thanks for the shout out, Denise!

I couldn't believe that there was so much controversy surrounding this topic. It was amazing, and, yeah, some of the comments were, um, interesting.

My mom has a tag she carries with her. When she is with me, I'll use it only if she is getting out. There were times she would tell me to use it even if it was only me running into a store, and well, no way. I've got legs, and um... know how to use them. *cough*

nelle ( http://nelle2nelle.net/ )

Who knew there was such a controversy surrounding parking spaces (toilet and butt)? Thanks for sharing this.

I personally don't park in parking spaces for the disabled. Mostly because I don't want to look like a nob and the exercise won't kill me (or anyone else).

When it comes to the toilet, I prefer the larger space. Regular toilets are made for people under 200lbs. If there were a line up however with a disabled person in it. I would offer it up to them first.
Moe
BigGirlBlue ( http://biggirlblue.blogspot.com/ )
Large & Lovely ( http://largeandlovely.bellaonline.com/ )

"Women are going to form a chain, a greater sisterhood than the world has ever known." ~Nellie McClung, 1916