a question about designated Disabled WCs

[phyzzezee]

Not being a wheelchair user myself I only occasionally use the designated Disabled WCs in public places such as supermarkets, motorway services, universities and such like. I do however now find that non-accessible toilets are limiting my ability to carry on my normal social life, unfortunately this also seems to include all the disabled WCs I have visited in recent weeks!

The designated Disable WCs are primarily designed with the larger door to allow wheelchair access and with other fittings such as washbasin and handryer etc at a suitable height for someone sitting in a wheelchair. My question is this: is the WC pedestal at the optimum height for most people? I'm guessing that the height is correct for people who need to transfer accross from their wheelchair, but I don't KNOW if this is the actual reasoning behind how these cubicles are appointed. Presumably some percentage of wheelchair users are able to stand up and walk a few steps to use the toilet once inside the cubicle? Is the height of the pedestal ever a problem?

I'm asking about this because I am currently trying to raise awareness of the need for 'Accessible Toilets for All' via posts on my recently begun blog http://phyzzezee.wordpress.com/ .

I would welcome answers and comments from anyone who reads this either here or on the following blog posts:

http://phyzzezee.wordpress.com/2011/...not-going-out/

http://phyzzezee.wordpress.com/2011/...general-guide/

[Jay]

Am wondering in what way you find the disabled loos a problem? Your photo looks a though you can stand ok so perhaps you could be more specific in query of lack of accessability?

I am ambulant mostly but when going out for any specific length of time, use a wheelchair. My husband, not disabled, always accompanies me as I need his help, and we have rarely found these loos compromising to my height or his when washing hands or drying them.

IMO, the toilets themselves are an accessable height for wheelchair users and most other disabilities, but would question that any public toilet is designed to suit everyone's shape, size or needs! It's an impossibility.

Having disabled loos now in most every place possible has given me my social life back not stopped it and with their space, grab rails, and even emergency buzzers must surely be a confidence booster to people who, like me, found time/distance/ loo limited my social life down to practically ziltch.

The only moan I have, is that some aren't cleaned to a high level as others, and the disabled loos at motorway stops are frequented by coachloads of able bodied people who, aside from ignoring the sign use them ahead of disabled people, leave them littered with loo paper, flooded floors and other unmentionables!!

[andypandy]

I am wondering why you use these toilets when you say you are not in a wheelchair ?

[Jay]

To be fair AP they're not exclusive to wheelchair users? I couldn't manage in an ordinary cubicle and I suspect others can't either?

I think the question phyzzeze was asking was is the WC pedestal at the optimum height for most people? Personally I find it is and I suspect it is at a comparable height as it is impossible to cater for all disabilities. Somewhere in the middle I would guess, neither too low nor too high!

[andypandy]

I understand that Jay, I used to use them too before I was in a wheelchair for another reason but the OP says

"Not being a wheelchair user myself I only occasionally use the designated Disabled WCs in public places....." Just thought it was a strange thing to say Jay x

[Jay]

Yes, I initially thought that too!

[andypandy]

:-) :-) :-)

[phyzzezee]

I understand that Jay, I used to use them too before I was in a wheelchair for another reason but the OP says

"Not being a wheelchair user myself I only occasionally use the designated Disabled WCs in public places....." Just thought it was a strange thing to say Jay x

hello, the reason I said this is because as a disabled person I am of course eligible to use these designated toilets but I rarely do choose to use them for two reasons: 1. because I might be taking up time in such a valuable facility which others, who have no choice in the matter, might have more urgent need of than myself, and 2. because in some cases* the Disabled WC is actually less accessible to me than other WCs provided in the same area.

*example ; Bradford University - height of pedestal in Disabled WC 16" (only just within my capabilities and causing me pain to access) compared to the two end toilets in the ladies which had obviously been designed for the use of elderly or mobility impaired since they also had handrails fitted to the end wall and a pedestal height of 19", which is what I personally, on account of my condition, need for safe and pain-free access.

[phyzzezee]

Am wondering in what way you find the disabled loos a problem? Your photo looks a though you can stand ok so perhaps you could be more specific in query of lack of accessability?
<snip>
IMO, the toilets themselves are an accessable height for wheelchair users and most other disabilities, but would question that any public toilet is designed to suit everyone's shape, size or needs! It's an impossibility.

Having disabled loos now in most every place possible has given me my social life back not stopped it and with their space, grab rails, and even emergency buzzers must surely be a confidence booster to people who, like me, found time/distance/ loo limited my social life down to practically ziltch.

The only moan I have, is that some aren't cleaned to a high level as others, and the disabled loos at motorway stops are frequented by coachloads of able bodied people who, aside from ignoring the sign use them ahead of disabled people, leave them littered with loo paper, flooded floors and other unmentionables!!

I don't think you can have read the two or three blog posts where I explain in detail why the majority of toilet pedestal heights cause me great difficulty. I gave links to the two which detail my problem in my initial post. Yes I can stand, and yes I can walk short distances but many of my problems revolve around sitting down and getting up again.

The point I am trying to make is that by providing much needed Disabled WCs that cater for the needs of primarily wheelchair users providers need to be aware that some people such as myself are still not actually being catered for. Fortunately the architect who desgned the recently re-furbished facility at Bradford University did understand the wider requirements and I only wish others would too, but if other disabled people even cannot understand and sympathise my difficulties then it's going to be an even longer battle than I first suspected.

I'm pleased that the provision of disabled loos has given you your social life back and I appreciate that one toilet will not suit all but please recognise and spare a thought for those of us who are not yet generally provided for away from our own homes.

[Jay]

I meant absolutely no offense and I CAN and do understand and empathise with your personal dilemma, I was merely stating my own personal thoughts. I chose not to read your bloggs, rather thinking you might expand somewhat on your situation here.

I have used many disabled loo's where the pedastal has been too high for me and some that were lower but I think generally, the facilities are a godsend for those of us would not have been able to leave the house for more than an hour and not stray far from home - such was the case for me for a long time.

I hope you achieve your goal in getting designers of dis loos to listen to you and you can find more accessable ones for you personally, I wish you well.