Q? for Americans about public bathrooms

Emi2 · 09-19-2004, 08:51 AM

When you see a wheelchair bathroom or stall does that mean you will truly be able to use it? Does the ADA ensure that? I ask because I'm forever going into a wheelchair stall only to find that I can't shut the door because theres no room for my chair in there.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow"
~ Anon

Andy · 09-19-2004, 09:07 AM

Very open to interpretation. I've been to the same large bathroom with 2 wheelchair marked stalls, one was usable, the other one I think they just put the sign up and put a grabrail on the wall, regular stall otherwise. I think the best wheelchair stall farse I saw so far was at O'Hare Airport in Chicago...As you know, you want the door to open outward on a wheelchair stall, this door did, but they forgot to put a grabhandle so you could actually open it. Unless you are as 'tall' as me and able to reach the top of the door to grab hold of something, you arent getting in there! This was seen at two washrooms there so far.

Jenfr · 09-19-2004, 01:46 PM

Emi, I live in Illinois and it is no better here.I'm with Andy..I have been in ALOT of accessible bathrooms only to find nothing but a sign and a hand rail

jennifer

Emi2 · 09-19-2004, 01:52 PM

So the ADA didn't fix that hey? I asked because out of the half dozen accessible washrooms I've tried to use theres only one that I can use. It's very annoying because going halfway across campus to pee makes me late for class, miss my train and leak on myself.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow"
~ Anon

Emi2 · 09-19-2004, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Emi:

So the ADA didn't fix that hey? I asked because out of the half dozen accessible washrooms I've tried to use at my university theres only one that I can use. It's very annoying because going halfway across campus to pee makes me late for class, miss my train and leak on myself.

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow"
~ Anon
http://www.tickercentral.com

"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow"
~ Anon

Kaprikorn1 · 09-19-2004, 06:53 PM

Emi...it depends on the state. In California...it is required to have a stall w/ grab bars for transferring, tp, sinks, coat hooks are low, faucets are IR or lever type handles, high toilet seat, etc. The satll must even have a 60" clear circle for turning....

Sadly, each state has it's own codes or none at all. Here in Idaho, it says H/C but that only means thay have grab bars and low TP and towel dispensers.

Also...if a restaurant, bar or store hasn't been remodelled since the codes were passed, they are exempt till they do so.

Kap

"It's not easy being green"

Broknwing · 09-19-2004, 10:10 PM

I wish that FL had more defined regs regarding bathrooms....I've been in so many that I couldn't get my chair in & be able to close the door...it's been a learning experience

'Chelle
L-1 inc 11/24/03

Belle · 09-20-2004, 09:37 AM

That reminds me of a story. The place where we had our wedding receptions was, um, 'rustic' (a converted barn). Not only was the bathroom not accessible, but he couldn't even get in the door. Fortunately he could get into the little wooden-walled anteroom area that they had put up to block the view of the bathroom door from the main area (it didn't go all the way to the floor or up to the ceiling). He cathed in there during the reception, and I carried the urinal back and forth into the bathroom for him. It was pretty humorous. We had forgotten to check on that, assuming it was accessible to him as most places are...

*************
AB wife of T8 complete para

Redford · 09-20-2004, 10:51 AM

What about the problem when there are six stalls available including the handicap stall and the person in front of you is able-bodied and they use the handicap stall instead of the the other ones. Very frustrating.

I guess we need enforcement of bathroom stalls like handicap parking.

jd87 · 09-20-2004, 08:55 PM

I don't understand. why have only one disabled stall and 4 regulars? everyone knows that the first stall that any disabled/ablebodied person goes to is the big one. I say make all stalls big enough for chairs.

09-19-2004, 08:51 AM	#1
Emi2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 3,205	Q? for Americans about public bathrooms When you see a wheelchair bathroom or stall does that mean you will truly be able to use it? Does the ADA ensure that? I ask because I'm forever going into a wheelchair stall only to find that I can't shut the door because theres no room for my chair in there. "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow" ~ Anon

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09-19-2004, 09:07 AM	#2
Andy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chicago IL Posts: 4,643	Very open to interpretation. I've been to the same large bathroom with 2 wheelchair marked stalls, one was usable, the other one I think they just put the sign up and put a grabrail on the wall, regular stall otherwise. I think the best wheelchair stall farse I saw so far was at O'Hare Airport in Chicago...As you know, you want the door to open outward on a wheelchair stall, this door did, but they forgot to put a grabhandle so you could actually open it. Unless you are as 'tall' as me and able to reach the top of the door to grab hold of something, you arent getting in there! This was seen at two washrooms there so far.

09-19-2004, 01:46 PM	#3
Jenfr Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: illinois Posts: 230	Emi, I live in Illinois and it is no better here.I'm with Andy..I have been in ALOT of accessible bathrooms only to find nothing but a sign and a hand rail jennifer

09-19-2004, 01:52 PM	#4
Emi2 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 3,205	So the ADA didn't fix that hey? I asked because out of the half dozen accessible washrooms I've tried to use theres only one that I can use. It's very annoying because going halfway across campus to pee makes me late for class, miss my train and leak on myself. "Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow" ~ Anon

09-19-2004, 06:53 PM	#6
Kaprikorn1 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.F. Bay Area, Calif. Posts: 1,369	Emi...it depends on the state. In California...it is required to have a stall w/ grab bars for transferring, tp, sinks, coat hooks are low, faucets are IR or lever type handles, high toilet seat, etc. The satll must even have a 60" clear circle for turning.... Sadly, each state has it's own codes or none at all. Here in Idaho, it says H/C but that only means thay have grab bars and low TP and towel dispensers. Also...if a restaurant, bar or store hasn't been remodelled since the codes were passed, they are exempt till they do so. Kap "It's not easy being green"

09-19-2004, 10:10 PM	#7
Broknwing Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Central Florida Posts: 4,743	I wish that FL had more defined regs regarding bathrooms....I've been in so many that I couldn't get my chair in & be able to close the door...it's been a learning experience 'Chelle L-1 inc 11/24/03

09-20-2004, 09:37 AM	#8
Belle Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 495	That reminds me of a story. The place where we had our wedding receptions was, um, 'rustic' (a converted barn). Not only was the bathroom not accessible, but he couldn't even get in the door. Fortunately he could get into the little wooden-walled anteroom area that they had put up to block the view of the bathroom door from the main area (it didn't go all the way to the floor or up to the ceiling). He cathed in there during the reception, and I carried the urinal back and forth into the bathroom for him. It was pretty humorous. We had forgotten to check on that, assuming it was accessible to him as most places are... ************* AB wife of T8 complete para

09-20-2004, 10:51 AM	#9
Redford Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Grand Rapids, MI, USA Posts: 61	What about the problem when there are six stalls available including the handicap stall and the person in front of you is able-bodied and they use the handicap stall instead of the the other ones. Very frustrating. I guess we need enforcement of bathroom stalls like handicap parking.

09-20-2004, 08:55 PM	#10
jd87 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 184	I don't understand. why have only one disabled stall and 4 regulars? everyone knows that the first stall that any disabled/ablebodied person goes to is the big one. I say make all stalls big enough for chairs.