Let's have a Debate

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Comments

  • Steve_in_The_City
    Steve_in_The_City Scope Member Posts: 810 Trailblazing
    Hi everyone. I have an invisible disability (declared in 2007) but I did not need to use a disabled loo - so I didn't.

    If anyone reading this wants to tell me that a group of about 8 healthy young females need to use a disabled persons loo, then you are testing my patience to the very limit.

    In the same chain of pubs the disabled loo on the ground floor is kept permanently open, so that the alcoholics ( generally elderly) can go and have a pee. The loo is disgusting.

    I won't tolerate anyone making excuses for the use of non-disabled people using facilities that are set aside for the disabled. 
  • rubin16
    rubin16 Scope Member Posts: 1,617 Championing
    Steve_in_The_City said:
    Hi everyone. I have an invisible disability (declared in 2007) but I did not need to use a disabled loo - so I didn't.

    If anyone reading this wants to tell me that a group of about 8 healthy young females need to use a disabled persons loo, then you are testing my patience to the very limit.

    In the same chain of pubs the disabled loo on the ground floor is kept permanently open, so that the alcoholics ( generally elderly) can go and have a pee. The loo is disgusting.

    I won't tolerate anyone making excuses for the use of non-disabled people using facilities that are set aside for the disabled. 

    What were stating is, how do you know that those 8 females are all healthy? you can't judge a book by its cover and there is a chance that all 8 could have an invisable disability and entitled to use a disabled toilet. Without knowing for certain you can't pass judgement on people.

    I have had countless people state to me that "thats the disabled toilet you know" or "you shouldn't use the disabled toilet" when in fact I am entitled and sometimes need to. You just never know for certain unless you truly know the person or what ailments/disability they have. There is a chance that your correct and they shouldn't use the toilet, but also a chance you are wrong and they have every right to use it. But without knowing for certain its not for another person to judge.
  • Steve_in_The_City
    Steve_in_The_City Scope Member Posts: 810 Trailblazing
    @rubin16 Oh, please!
  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 14,642 Online Community Programme Lead

    I think it's important to remember that not all disabilities are visible and there are many reasons someone may need access to a disabled toilet that would be invisible. It's also not uncommon for people with similar experiences, including disability, to become friends and go out together. 

    That said, I think we all agree that people can and do take advantage of disabled facilities, quite often leaving them unusable and unsafe and this is not okay.

  • Adrian_Scope
    Adrian_Scope Posts: 14,642 Online Community Programme Lead

    Note from online community team:

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    We want this discussion to continue, but we’re concerned that things are becoming quite tense and could easily escalate.

    Please remember that all discussions on Scope’s online community should remain civil, supportive, and safe.

    We will continue to closely monitor this discussion, but if it escalates further, we may choose to pause, close, or even hide the discussion.

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  • Queen_K
    Queen_K Community Member Posts: 271 Empowering
    Understood
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community Member Posts: 64,375 Championing
    Steve_in_The_City said:
    Hi everyone. I have an invisible disability (declared in 2007) but I did not need to use a disabled loo - so I didn't.

    If anyone reading this wants to tell me that a group of about 8 healthy young females need to use a disabled persons loo, then you are testing my patience to the very limit.

    In the same chain of pubs the disabled loo on the ground floor is kept permanently open, so that the alcoholics ( generally elderly) can go and have a pee. The loo is disgusting.

    I won't tolerate anyone making excuses for the use of non-disabled people using facilities that are set aside for the disabled. 
    I will say it again! How do you know that they didn’t have a disability? You are judging a book by its cover and that’s wrong! 

    My daughter uses disabled toilets and she can walk, run and jump. She has Autism, learning disability and social anxiety. You would never know by just looking at her. She uses them because sometimes other public toilets can be busy and it makes her very anxious. 

    Please have some thought for others… 
  • Steve_in_The_City
    Steve_in_The_City Scope Member Posts: 810 Trailblazing
    I am quite aware that there are people with invisible disabilities, being in that category myself.
  • Steve_in_The_City
    Steve_in_The_City Scope Member Posts: 810 Trailblazing
    You are of course all kidding me that a group of young ladies who can do everything that young ladies can do all need a Radar key that that are sharing to use the loo!


  • Steve_in_The_City
    Steve_in_The_City Scope Member Posts: 810 Trailblazing
    On Thursday I went to my local entertainment complex. I knew I would not be able to use the disabled loo because of all the people with invisible disabilities who need to use it. These people are quite capable to use the bars, restaurants. galleries, theaters, open/inside/outdoor spaces but for some reason cannot go to the loo unless it is for a disabled person; they somehow find it is easier to use a loo attached to the bar/restaurant that they are in.





  • chiarieds
    chiarieds Community Member Posts: 17,415 Championing
    Playing Devil's advocate I'm sort of with @Steve_in_The_City -  I don't think it's due to these young ladies being able to do everything that young ladies do, but that it's a tad unlikely that all 8 females needed to use a disabled loo due to their disability, invisible or not....it may be likely, but perhaps not.
    Other than that, well you can never know; do they all have invisible disorders?....if so, then they should be able to use a disabled loo without discrimination, if not, then they are abusing the system.
  • Steve_in_The_City
    Steve_in_The_City Scope Member Posts: 810 Trailblazing
    @chiarieds Thank you. I have a strange life and sometimes things just get on top of me.
  • Steve_in_The_City
    Steve_in_The_City Scope Member Posts: 810 Trailblazing
    I seem to be the recipient of a lot of flak! That is ok because I think the folk who are are flaking me are handing out their Radar keys to friends and family who don't need them but want to feel justified in doing so.

    For those of you who think it it is ok for people with invisible disabilities (whether they have them or not) to use a Blue Badge parking space, I just wonder?
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community Member Posts: 64,375 Championing
    edited March 2024
    Steve_in_The_City said:
    I seem to be the recipient of a lot of flak! That is ok because I think the folk who are are flaking me are handing out their Radar keys to friends and family who don't need them but want to feel justified in doing so.

    For those of you who think it it is ok for people with invisible disabilities (whether they have them or not) to use a Blue Badge parking space, I just wonder?
    I don't need to give my radar key to my daughter because she has her own. I have an invisible condition too and yes I have a blue badge, I have one because I'm entitled to one because I claim Enhanced mobility and scored 12 points for the moving around part.

    I'm sure you're now going to say something about that as well...

    So yes, I think it's perfectly fine for someone with invisible conditions to have a BB!
  • Steve_in_The_City
    Steve_in_The_City Scope Member Posts: 810 Trailblazing
    Oh, absolutely Poppy! I have always had something to say, usually a daft comment, but usually something that is kind of important to me. 

    I do understand absolutely everything you said. I am sorry. Can we just put this behind please, and sort of be be ok and be friends?
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community Member Posts: 64,375 Championing
    I don't have any issues with you Steve and I'm sorry if you thought otherwise. As you commented on the thread again I thought I'd respond.  :)
  • rubin16
    rubin16 Scope Member Posts: 1,617 Championing
    I think more or less with radar keys its the issueing of them thats the problem, like to get one you don't really have to prove you need one and hence why all the issues. If it was like the blue badge system it would be better so you couldn't just buy one, but first had to give a reason why you need one. Theres lots of places just selling radar keys without asking if you truly need one.

    With the Blue badges though since you have to prove that you need one before it being issued, this should never be challenged. Its completley different situation to the radar key.
  • JessieJ
    JessieJ Community Member Posts: 1,386 Championing
    But us blue badge holders see disabled bays used by non holders every day...just saying! ;)
  • Jimm_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,686 Championing
    It is wrong for those who are not disabled to use toilets and space for disabled people.

    It's also wrong to assume an individual isn't disabled though.

    I just fall on the side that, in the case of toilets, it should be accessible to someone who is disabled even if they don't have a radar key than the chance that non-disabled people use it. I understand those who disagree though! It can be very frustrating when facilities meant for disabled people are taken up, though I wonder if that might also be an issue of supply in some cases too? 

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