When you are disabled and have to go to the bathroom out in public, sometimes you may need to use the accessible bathroom to be able to take care of your needs. Non-disabled people sometimes think that I get upset when I see someone who doesn’t look disabled come out of the accessible bathroom. A few years ago, you might have been right, but since becoming a disabled advocate, I have learned so much more about invisible disabilities and am not bothered when people who don’t look disabled use the accessible bathroom. Non-disabled people sometimes think that the only people who should be using the accessible bathroom are wheelchair users and will yell faker when someone doesn’t appear to be disabled. There are a lot of reasons why someone may choose to use the accessible bathroom, and it’s not only for people in wheelchairs and it’s for any disabled person who needs it to make their life easier. Why would someone choose to use the accessible bathroom? In this post, I am going to be talking about a few reasons why someone without a physical disability may choose to use the accessible toilet.
Some people use it to empty their stoma bag- I have two stoma’s but mine are just too small holes on my lower abdomen, and I don’t have any bags attached to me that need to be emptied. Some disabled people do have a stoma bag that need to be emptied regularly and may choose the accessible bathroom to empty their stoma bag because there is more space to take care of your needs. People who struggle with urinary or bowel incontinence who use catheters often prefer the larger bathroom because it is less likely that they will have an embarrassing accident out in public when you have more space. You never know who has a stoma bag or has incontinence issues unless you happen to know that person, because it is often invisible. I don’t have a stoma bag to empty, but I still need the larger bathroom because sometimes my stoma leaks, and I need a larger space to change.
It’s easier for blind people to navigate- People sometimes think that everyone who use an accessible bathroom has some kind of mobility issue but that is not necessary always true. Standard stalls often can be difficult for a blind person because they are very small and can be difficult to navigate when you can’t see the things around you. Accessible stalls are not only for people with mobility issues and it can be a safer option for someone who has low vision or can’t see at all. Blindness is not always visible and can be completely invisible because not everyone uses a cane or has eyes that look different, that would make it obvious. Blind people may need to use an accessible stall because sometimes they have guide dog with them that wouldn’t fit in the standard stall.
Mom’s sometimes need it to help their children- People think that accessible bathrooms are only for disabled people and that non-disabled people shouldn’t be using it. It is true that accessible toilets were created for the disabled created but that doesn’t mean a non-disabled person can’t use. Moms with young kids sometimes will need the accessible toilet to help their toddler go to the bathroom or to change a baby because standard stalls are not big enough for two people. Some disabled people may require assistance to go to the bathroom, or moms who are not disabled may need it to help their young children go to the bathroom. If you aren’t disabled and want to use the accessible bathroom, you should always let disabled people go ahead of you because sometimes our needs are more urgent. It still doesn’t mean that a non-disabled person is not allowed to use the accessible bathroom because even non-disabled people can benefit from accessibility.
Some people may need it accommodate medical equipment- As a disabled person I don’t have a lot of big medical equipment that takes up a lot of space that I need to bring into the accessible bathroom. The only medical equipment that comes with me are my assistive devices and the catheters I have in my purse that allow me to go to the bathroom. Some disabled people have larger equipment, such as an oxygen tank that wouldn’t fit in a standard stall, and they need a larger space to accommodate their assistive devices. As a disabled person, I could use a standard stall if I wanted to, because I am able to walk but usually don’t unless there is a long line, because the accessible stall is more accommodating of my assistive devices.
It’s the safest option for elderly people who are prone to falls– Accessible bathrooms often are the safest option for elderly people who have balance issues and are prone to falling. There is more space in accessible bathrooms and grab bars to hold onto to prevent falls that a standard stall would not have.
It is easier for people with chronic pain- People sometimes think that everyone who uses the accessible bathroom has some kind of mobility problem. It is true that a lot of people who need it have some kind of mobility issue, but it can also benefit people with chronic pain. People who struggle with chronic pain, fatigue, and dizziness often prefer the accessible toilet because crowded spaces require more energy, which can trigger more pain.
Accessible bathrooms were created for disabled people, but it is not exclusively for wheelchair users, and it is for any disabled person that needs it to make their life easier. There are a lot of reasons someone may choose to use the accessible bathroom, and not everyone who uses it has a medical need. It is impossible to know who is disabled by looking at them and we need to stop accusing everyone who doesn’t look disabled as being a faker. I am not bothered when people who don’t look disabled use the accessible toilet because you never know what the needs of a total stranger are. You could be yelling faker at someone who is disabled, which is why it’s so important that we don’t do that. I am only bothered when non-disabled people aren’t considerate and take their sweet time in the accessible bathroom when they know someone is waiting. Please stop judging people that use the accessible toilet that don’t look disabled because people with invisible have just as much right as someone with a visible disability. This is not a complete of list of every possible reason why someone may choose to use the accessible bathroom. Why would you rather use the accessible toilet? If you liked this post, please leave a comment below and share it with your
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