[MAM]

Women’s public restrooms are usually equipped with one ‘wheelchair’ stall. (I imagine men’s restrooms must have one also, though I don’t think this question applies as much to men.) We’ve all been to events where there is a long line for the restroom, concerts, ballgames, etc. Typically, we use whichever stall opens up next. However, if a woman in a wheelchair needs to use the restroom, must she wait in line or is it assumed she is next in line for the ‘wheelchair’ stall? It seems reasonable to me that she wouldn’t mind waiting and when she is close to the front of the line, then she is the next one for the wheelchair stall. But do wheelchair-bound women expect to jump to the head of the line or wait in line with everyone else? I really don’t know and don’t want to offend anyone.

User Detail :  

Name : MAM, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 27, City : Atlanta, State : GA, Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[BB23281]

My mother is disabled with multiple sclerosis. One of the first problems that this disease caused her was very poor bladder control. I have since discovered that for many people with disabilities, the need for a disabled toilet isn’t just about a larger stall but about quick access to a toilet. Many disabled people are unable to move quickly and often need a helper, so it can be at least a few minutes after entering the stall before they are able to relieve themselves. So I would say if you can possibly help it, don’t use the disabled stall. Let disabled people go in front of you whenever possible.

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Name : BB23281, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, Age : 25, City : Edinburgh, State : NA, Country : United Kingdom, Occupation : Phd student, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 

[Magenta]

Some wheelchair-bound people are not simply unable to walk, but have other physical problems, such as weak bladder control, which makes it imperative that they get to a stall quickly. By all means, though, use your powers of observation and your judgment, and then use the stall! By this I mean that in a smallish party, you will generally spot the wheelchair, and hopefully avoid using that particular stall. (No wheelchair, no worries!) But in a situation where there are a lot of people (a concert, a mall), please leave the stall free. You do not know when it will be needed. Of course, a large percentage of disabled people can hold it as long as you can, but think of the ones who can’t. Not only that, but have you considered how much more time it takes to maneuver oneself onto the seat if you cannot use your legs?

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Name : Magenta, City : Johannesburg, State : NA, Country : South Africa, 

[Diana]

Just a personal note, I have a close friend that is wheelchair bound and we have ran into the problem of having to wait to long to be able to get on the tolit not because it was not aviable, but because it is not set up for a person whom has no leggs or no use at all of their leggs. Better designing would be good here. Any suggestions for easier getting on and off the tolit in this type of case? We have tried getting on from the front and sitting backwards (facing the wall) to work, but are open for other thoughts. Have any?

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Name : Diana, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : limited spine movement & some hearing loss, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 42, City : Porterville, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : student/teachers aid, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 

[Katrina26717]

Also consider this…the bathroom likely has multiple stalls…only one of which (or in huge facilities 2 or 3) may be a wheelchair accessible stall. If you’re next in line, you can wait for any stall to open up. The wheelchair bound person must wait for the accessible stall only. 3 or 4 people behind her in line may get to go before she can if the wheelchair stall is being used by everybody, on top of the time it takes to get out of the chair and onto that toilet.

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Name : Katrina26717, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Tourette's Syndrome, OCD, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 21, City : Moses Lake, State : WA, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class, 

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