Handicapped Seats and Stalls

[Boldido]

I read an article in the St. Pete times today that made me pause. Part of the article contained a couple that brought their two wheelchair bound children to the theater for a 7:30 p.m., Friday show. They arrived twenty minutes late and when they went into the theater, all the companion seats were taken. The article doesn't say if they were all taken by non-disabled people. The family asked people to move and they refused. The parents then asked the management to ask people to move. The response from management was that twenty minutes past showtime on a Friday night was too late to be reasonable to ask someone to move. They suggested they see a later show.

I think that people should avoid sitting in companion seats if they can, especially if comparable non-companion seats are available. I don't think, however, that companion seating is the same as reserved seating. I think it is reasonable to ask for help from management if it is ten or fifteen minutes before a show and people are sitting in companion seats, unless all other seats are already filled. If you show up 20 minutes late, however, my feelings of sympathy are significantly diminished.

I feel the same way about handicapped stalls. If I go into a restroom and all the stalls are filled, or too filthy to use, then I will use the handicapped stall with zero guilt. I do hate people who make a b-line to the handicapped stall just because they are roomier.

[Maleficentogre]

yeah if you show up late you're hosed out of a seat especiallyon a friday night. I've never sat in companion seats at a theatre but that's cause I always get there mega early.

[Slam_Bradley]

To some extent how I feel about this would depend on how full the theatre was. If there were seats that the people in the companion seats could move too without a lot of inconvenience then they were being dickish. If the theatre was full or they'd have to split up, then the late folk were totally out of line.

[Cotton]

At least they weren't kicked out of the threater, then the mom goes and complains to the ALCU.

[macul]

If there were no other seats available for the people to move to then I'd say the late arriving crowd is out of luck. You don't arrive 20 minutes late and then expect people to accomodate you. If they would have arrived on time and/or other seats were available then I can see management making room for them.

[Valmore]

To some extent how I feel about this would depend on how full the theatre was. If there were seats that the people in the companion seats could move too without a lot of inconvenience then they were being dickish. If the theatre was full or they'd have to split up, then the late folk were totally out of line.

Yeah, I'd have to know how full the theater was. Like, are the few seats left all scattered and cause an inconvenience to not just those moving from the companion seats, but to other viewers who would have to move to make room for the others, or at least stand while the others had to fumble their way around to the open seats?

Of course, companion seating should be the last place any non-handicapped people are seated, until all of the rest of the seats are taken, anyway.

Also, I thought most theaters stopped selling tickets to a viewing when a show was 15 minutes into its run time.

[Maleficentogre]

maybe they all stopped to the bathroom and concessions first which would take a long time. 7:30 on a friday night is packed in most movie theatres. there probably was nowhere else to sit and that's why you get there early.

[Cei-U!]

I have no sympathy for those people. There are a finite number of companion seats available at any given showing and it was the parents' responsibility to arrive early enough to snag one. The last lesson their kids need to learn is that your disability entitles you to push other people around to get your own way.

Cei-U!
I summon the hardline!

[Spike-X]

They arrived twenty minutes late...

Fuck 'em.
.

[thehod]

Depends what they went to see.

If we are talking about a movie, lets face it, there are so many adverts, trailers, adverts for trailers, adverts for the movie theatre you're already in, a few teaser trailers, and oh, would you like some popcorn before the movie star... NO, GET ON WITH IT!!!!, that 20 minutes late isn't that bad.

However, if its a play we are talking about then the fact that the two kids are disabled is immaterial. You turn up twenty minutes late to a play, you're lucky to get into theatre at all, let alone ask people to move.

[DarkBlade]

I read an article in the St. Pete times today that made me pause. Part of the article contained a couple that brought their two wheelchair bound children to the theater for a 7:30 p.m., Friday show. They arrived twenty minutes late and when they went into the theater, all the companion seats were taken. The article doesn't say if they were all taken by non-disabled people. The family asked people to move and they refused. The parents then asked the management to ask people to move. The response from management was that twenty minutes past showtime on a Friday night was too late to be reasonable to ask someone to move. They suggested they see a later show.

I think that people should avoid sitting in companion seats if they can, especially if comparable non-companion seats are available. I don't think, however, that companion seating is the same as reserved seating. I think it is reasonable to ask for help from management if it is ten or fifteen minutes before a show and people are sitting in companion seats, unless all other seats are already filled. If you show up 20 minutes late, however, my feelings of sympathy are significantly diminished.

Yup. Now if it's before the film itself has started? Yes, move your butts, and please do so without glaring. Ditto goes for people on buses sitting on the seats that get folded up when there's a wheelchair user boarding, and folks standing or storing their stuff in the cubby designed for people in chairs on trains to use so they don't go careening at every stop and start.

I feel the same way about handicapped stalls. If I go into a restroom and all the stalls are filled, or too filthy to use, then I will use the handicapped stall with zero guilt. I do hate people who make a b-line to the handicapped stall just because they are roomier.

Especially when they're going to change and stuff. Rrgh. Here's a question though. Let's say there's a line to use the bathroom. (I know, more often in women's restrooms, and the line is slower in women's, but I've seen lines for the men's room too.) Somebody in a chair cues up somewhere behind you in line. It comes your turn as someone vacates the accessible stall. Do you take it, as you've been waiting, they should have to wait in line till everyone who was already there files through, or do they get first crack at the accessible stall when it opens up? (I hope that made sense.)

[Boldido]

Yup. Now if it's before the film itself has started? Yes, move your butts, and please do so without glaring. Ditto goes for people on buses sitting on the seats that get folded up when there's a wheelchair user boarding, and folks standing or storing their stuff in the cubby designed for people in chairs on trains to use so they don't go careening at every stop and start.

Again, as long as there are seats available...that aren't absolute shit...then I agree wholeheartedly. For me, that is front row, if the only thing available are companion or front row, I may lean toward being a prick.

On a bus or train, I agree completely.

Especially when they're going to change and stuff. Rrgh. Here's a question though. Let's say there's a line to use the bathroom. (I know, more often in women's restrooms, and the line is slower in women's, but I've seen lines for the men's room too.) Somebody in a chair cues up somewhere behind you in line. It comes your turn as someone vacates the accessible stall. Do you take it, as you've been waiting, they should have to wait in line till everyone who was already there files through, or do they get first crack at the accessible stall when it opens up? (I hope that made sense.)

I'd probably let the guy go ahead since I can grab any of the other ones that were coming open soon. Guys have a very quick turnaround time, so it really wouldn't be much of an inconvenience. It would also depend on how far back in line the guy was. If he was right behind me, absolutely, if he was six or seven back, less likely.

[K'Nort]

Here's a question though. Let's say there's a line to use the bathroom. (I know, more often in women's restrooms, and the line is slower in women's, but I've seen lines for the men's room too.) Somebody in a chair cues up somewhere behind you in line. It comes your turn as someone vacates the accessible stall. Do you take it, as you've been waiting, they should have to wait in line till everyone who was already there files through, or do they get first crack at the accessible stall when it opens up? (I hope that made sense.)

If the person in the wheelchair was immediately behind me, I'd let her go ahead of me. But if there were others between us, I'd be leery of those people refusing to go along with the idea and just ending up embarassing the woman.

I spent four months on crutches in 1996 and it drove me crazy to go into the bathroom at work and the handicapped stall would be the only one occupied.

[Ayo]

I'm gonna ignore the story, since the people arrived super-late, it's not even a fair discussion.

Specifically, I'm going to talk about bathrooms. When it comes to using public restrooms, there is no stall off-limits to me. Public restrooms are mostly unsanitary and utterly disgusting. If I find a clean stall, I'm going to use it. I'm not going to investigate to see if there is another, also-clean stall, I'm going to handle my business.

It's not like a person's going to move in, it's a bathroom visit.

I don't use any other handicap designed seats, functions, etc. But all is fair when it comes to avoiding the handiwork of the disgusting subhumans that use public bathrooms.

[Cei-U!]

I lived for five years in a dorm that had *no* wheelchair-accessible stalls. My friends had to drag me bodily in and out of the stalls. Never again. Believe me, if I have to pee and you jump in the wheelchair stall ahead of me when others are open, I will kill you.

Cei-U!
You've been warned!

[Boldido]

I'm gonna ignore the story, since the people arrived super-late, it's not even a fair discussion.

Specifically, I'm going to talk about bathrooms. When it comes to using public restrooms, there is no stall off-limits to me. Public restrooms are mostly unsanitary and utterly disgusting. If I find a clean stall, I'm going to use it. I'm not going to investigate to see if there is another, also-clean stall, I'm going to handle my business.

It's not like a person's going to move in, it's a bathroom visit.

I don't use any other handicap designed seats, functions, etc. But all is fair when it comes to avoiding the handiwork of the disgusting subhumans that use public bathrooms.

Its not like you have to explore the ruins of Machu Picchu, its a couple of stalls. If there are two clean and one is handicapped and you grab that one, then, I'm sorry, but you are acting like a dick. If there are five stalls, four are filthy and the fifth is clean and is also handicapped, then I'm taking a shit in the fifth stall.

[Ayo]

Its not like you have to explore the ruins of Machu Picchu, its a couple of stalls. If there are two clean and one is handicapped and you grab that one, then, I'm sorry, but you are acting like a dick. If there are five stalls, four are filthy and the fifth is clean and is also handicapped, then I'm taking a shit in the fifth stall.

Don't call me a dick.


To be fair, wouldn't you think that the millions of people who profane the vast majority of public bathrooms daily are the dicks? How am I a dick? How frequently do you use public bathrooms? Being a New York City walker, I pretty much rely on them. And anybody who relies on public bathrooms knows that it's a daily war out there. People in general are sick in the head. So like I said, if I find a reasonably clean stall, I'm gonna go use it. I mean what the hell is your problem? Just because a person is handicapped, he can't wait five minutes while I wipe my ass and flush? It's gotta be right now? Using the toilet is practically a matter of life and death, when you gotta go, you gotta go. And most people aren't interested in catching infections from the disfuckingcusting conditions in most stalls. If there's a clean one, I'm going to use it. Just because a person is handicapped doesn't mean that they have to have things NOW, RIGHT NOW. Learn to fucking wait, don't call me a dick.

Whatever, though--you asked the question, my fault for taking time out of my life to answer it.

[Ayo]

bathrooms are always first come, first served. Women have to do it all the time, it's only sometimes that a line forms in the men's room. Grow up.

[Valmore]

Don't call me a dick.

Should I point out that he was being hypothetical and said if a person did something in that scenario a certain way, they'd be "acting like a dick" - there's a huge difference.

[Dan Apodaca]

Here's a question though. Let's say there's a line to use the bathroom. (I know, more often in women's restrooms, and the line is slower in women's, but I've seen lines for the men's room too.) Somebody in a chair cues up somewhere behind you in line. It comes your turn as someone vacates the accessible stall. Do you take it, as you've been waiting, they should have to wait in line till everyone who was already there files through, or do they get first crack at the accessible stall when it opens up? (I hope that made sense.)

It all depends on how bad I have to go, how long I've been waiting, and how good a mood I'm in.

Chances are that my trip to the can isn't going to take an obscene amount of time, so the person wouldn't be waiting for the stall any longer than I already was.

[Boldido]

Don't call me a dick.


To be fair, wouldn't you think that the millions of people who profane the vast majority of public bathrooms daily are the dicks? How am I a dick? How frequently do you use public bathrooms? Being a New York City walker, I pretty much rely on them. And anybody who relies on public bathrooms knows that it's a daily war out there. People in general are sick in the head. So like I said, if I find a reasonably clean stall, I'm gonna go use it. I mean what the hell is your problem? Just because a person is handicapped, he can't wait five minutes while I wipe my ass and flush? It's gotta be right now? Using the toilet is practically a matter of life and death, when you gotta go, you gotta go. And most people aren't interested in catching infections from the disfuckingcusting conditions in most stalls. If there's a clean one, I'm going to use it. Just because a person is handicapped doesn't mean that they have to have things NOW, RIGHT NOW. Learn to fucking wait, don't call me a dick.

Whatever, though--you asked the question, my fault for taking time out of my life to answer it.

As Valmore has already pointed out, I didn't call you a dick. You said that if you find a handicapped stall and it is clean, you would use it without even bothering to check any of the other ones. You make it seem like checking out the other stalls is an inconvenience of monumental proportions. I'm certain that the inconvenience of just pushiing open a stall door or two outweighs the inconvenience suffered by someone who is confined to a wheelchair. If a bathroom has four stalls and every one is disgusting but the handicapped stall, as I said previously, I'm right there with you in going into that one. There is no reason that an able bodied person should be forced to sit in filth just in case a disabled person wants to use the bathroom at the same time. If, however, there are two stalls, one as clean as the other, and you choose to use the handicapped stall, then that is a DICK MOVE. Remember, able bodied men only need the stall to deficate, someone confined to a wheelchair cannot take advantage of the urinals or the other stalls.

Oh, and yes, I think that the people who profane the public stalls by pissing on seats and not wiping it, shitting and not flushing or doing God knows what else to make the stalls look the way they do, are dicks. Just because someone does something that is dickish, doesn't excuse another act that is dickish. The one doesn't follow the other.

[DarkBlade]

Just because a person is handicapped doesn't mean that they have to have things NOW, RIGHT NOW. Learn to fucking wait, don't call me a dick.

Actually, just to be informative here, not to indicate that this is actually your problem, but many of the reasons that land a person in a chair also make it a bit harder to tell when you gotta go, till the last effing minute. Sometimes it's nerve damage due to paralysis, in my case it's (I presume) due to a combination of sitting so much, and pain overriding a lot of the usual sensations that tip people off... sometimes I won't realize I needed to go a while back until I'm starting to feel nauseous, at which point I try to take mental stock to figure out WHY, and then find a type of pain that's slightly different and much much lower on my registry scale. On the times that my body DOES give me the correct signals, it's often T-minus 10 minutes at best. Which, again, isn't your problem. It's mine. (And anyone else with such issues.) Just so you're aware though, it isn't neccessarily a case of "Wah, my body's messed up so I should get everything else first right now always."

Additionally, I suspect the wait issue is less of an issue in the men's room. Bwar. Invariably though, when there's a line whoever takes the accessible stalls is taking their sweet time about things. (And even when there isn't.. well, a few of you may recall my rant about the snotty bitch and her cell phone in the bathroom on campus a couple years ago.) It's hella frustrating to be sitting waiting though, and hey, now it's my turn! But can't go. Yes, go 'head, there really is only one chair accessible (as opposed to a tiny bit bigger with grab bars) stall in this bathroom of 20 stalls.. and sit waiting still, as then 10 people in line behind you go in and get on with their buisness.

[Ayo]

While some restrooms are small, with one to four stalls, others are rather large, with aisles of stalls. And you know what? I'm going to use the first one that is usable. It'll be over in a few minutes.

Also consider logistics:

1) while you're dutifully checking the regular stalls, someone can come in after you and claim one that you've already checked as being clean.

2) the handicap stall is the last stall anyway. It might also be the first one, but I believe that it's usually the last one from the door. So the discussion is kinda moot anyway.

3) the odds are on your side that a person on crutches, cane or a wheelchair will not come into the rest room at the same time that you're using it.

4) Odds are just as likely that as someone may NEED the handicapped stall, someone else may need it at the same time (in fact, odds are greater, as many developmentally disabled people are taken on field trips together if they live in a home, that may require a group bathroom visit).



I forgot to take Darkblade's point into account when I first posted, and I retract that part. People can't always wait. This much is true. However, the other truth is that (and this is no one's problem but my own), I'm not using a public rest room unless I absolutely have to as well. I've found God in public restrooms more than in any Church pew, and that's the truth. It's like need vs. need, so we're basically talking about who gets to the spot first. Sad to say, but it often can't be any other way.

[Boldido]

However, the other truth is that (and this is no one's problem but my own), I'm not using a public rest room unless I absolutely have to as well. I've found God in public restrooms more than in any Church pew, and that's the truth. It's like need vs. need, so we're basically talking about who gets to the spot first. Sad to say, but it often can't be any other way.

This one isn't just you. I think its common to most guys. If there is anyway under heaven or even by entering into a pact with Satan, to avoid having to make in a public stall, I will. I know a lot of guys, especially ones that have to drive a lot or travel for their jobs that have "safe houses" for lack of a better word, places that they are comfortable in that, while not home, are the next best thing and a damn site better than the average public restroom.

[Valmore]

This one isn't just you. I think its common to most guys. If there is anyway under heaven or even by entering into a pact with Satan, to avoid having to make in a public stall, I will. I know a lot of guys, especially ones that have to drive a lot or travel for their jobs that have "safe houses" for lack of a better word, places that they are comfortable in that, while not home, are the next best thing and a damn site better than the average public restroom.

I'll say this for Vermont - that state has some DAMN FINE public restrooms on its interstate.

[west3man]

I read an article in the St. Pete times today that made me pause. Part of the article contained a couple that brought their two wheelchair bound children to the theater for a 7:30 p.m., Friday show. They arrived twenty minutes late and when they went into the theater, all the companion seats were taken. The article doesn't say if they were all taken by non-disabled people. The family asked people to move and they refused. The parents then asked the management to ask people to move. The response from management was that twenty minutes past showtime on a Friday night was too late to be reasonable to ask someone to move. They suggested they see a later show.

I think that people should avoid sitting in companion seats if they can, especially if comparable non-companion seats are available. I don't think, however, that companion seating is the same as reserved seating. I think it is reasonable to ask for help from management if it is ten or fifteen minutes before a show and people are sitting in companion seats, unless all other seats are already filled. If you show up 20 minutes late, however, my feelings of sympathy are significantly diminished.

I feel the same way about handicapped stalls. If I go into a restroom and all the stalls are filled, or too filthy to use, then I will use the handicapped stall with zero guilt.I agree with all of this.

I do hate people who make a b-line to the handicapped stall just because they are roomier.Damn you for lulling me into a false sense of security.

[darkkeeperjr]

well most of the time i think like this:

" there's 3 stalls i can use any of them,the hadicapped guy can use only 1. So which one am i not gonna take?"

I feel the same way about the compaion seats. out of all the seats in the theather there only one or two seats that they can use.while i can use any seat in the place. I hate to get up if the movie started but where else are they gonna go?

Also i hate to be sittting down in the "big" stall and hear the roll of the wheels and know that the guy is waiting for me to get up.

[Gilda Dent]

I'm not a big fan of public restrooms for both the same sanitary reasons others have listed and for others related to my condition which, thankfully, are no longer an issue but did make restrooms a nightmare for a few years there.

The basic rules of courtesy I was taught and which I believe work well:

Handicapped stalls are not full-time handicapped reserved like parking spaces. I don't care if it's the only empty spot in the parking lot, those spots are not to be used by able-bodied people.

Bathroom stalls are accessible, not reserved. If there are no other stalls available and no disabled people in line, go right ahead and use it, no problem.

However, if there is a disabled person in line, that person gets access to the handicapped accessible stall as soon as it becomes available. If there are other functional stalls available, even if there is no disabled person in line, those should be used first.

The only time an able-bodied person should use the handicapped accessible stall is when both conditions apply, when there are no other stalls available and when there is no disabled person in line.

Gilda

[Boldido]

I'm not a big fan of public restrooms for both the same sanitary reasons others have listed and for others related to my condition which, thankfully, are no longer an issue but did make restrooms a nightmare for a few years there.

The basic rules of courtesy I was taught and which I believe work well:

Handicapped stalls are not full-time handicapped reserved like parking spaces. I don't care if it's the only empty spot in the parking lot, those spots are not to be used by able-bodied people.

Bathroom stalls are accessible, not reserved. If there are no other stalls available and no disabled people in line, go right ahead and use it, no problem.

However, if there is a disabled person in line, that person gets access to the handicapped accessible stall as soon as it becomes available. If there are other functional stalls available, even if there is no disabled person in line, those should be used first.

The only time an able-bodied person should use the handicapped accessible stall is when both conditions apply, when there are no other stalls available and when there is no disabled person in line.

Gilda


Does your definition of availiability take into account cleanliness? While we had a little conflict, I agreed with Ayo as to not using a dirty stall. To me, filth means it is unavailable for me to use.

[Gilda Dent]

Does your definition of availiability take into account cleanliness? While we had a little conflict, I agreed with Ayo as to not using a dirty stall. To me, filth means it is unavailable for me to use.

I think that's reasonable.

Gilda

[Donald M.]

Does your definition of availiability take into account cleanliness? While we had a little conflict, I agreed with Ayo as to not using a dirty stall. To me, filth means it is unavailable for me to use.

I guess it really depends on the level of filth. I've personally been lucky enough never to find myself in a time of need facing down a stall with feces on the walls, floor and ceiling, or soiled underpants hanging from the seat, though I have encountered both of these things from the perspective of the person having to clean it up.

If it's just a little piss on the seat and no other stall is available though, I'll just wad up some toilet paper and wipe it off. I mean, come on!

[Guapo Méndez]

And when you have to take your little kids to the toilet, you go to the cleanest one, handicapped or not.

[Boldido]

And when you have to take your little kids to the toilet, you go to the cleanest one, handicapped or not.

Often the diaper changing station is in the handicapped stall, in which case you have little choice.

[JerrBear81]

maybe they all stopped to the bathroom and concessions first which would take a long time. 7:30 on a friday night is packed in most movie theatres. there probably was nowhere else to sit and that's why you get there early.

From my own personal experiences, the solution to a long concessions stand would be one parent watches the kids in the theatre while the other gets food.

[darkkeeperjr]

Often the diaper changing station is in the handicapped stall, in which case you have little choice.



Yeah that seems more of a case of need rather than want.

Don't know where you people go to use the rest room,but most that i visit are mostly "clean"(expect for a little piss on the seat).Except libraries. Or anyplace else that the homeless hang out at.

[JerrBear81]

I have no sympathy for those people. There are a finite number of companion seats available at any given showing and it was the parents' responsibility to arrive early enough to snag one. The last lesson their kids need to learn is that your disability entitles you to push other people around to get your own way.

Cei-U!
I summon the hardline!

I agree, to an extent. From my own experiences with going to the movies with my parents, even leaving early enough to snag a seat isn't a garuntee that they will be snagged. Traffic jams, car accidents that slow traffic, and any other number of problems can occur that will make a person late. Half the time we were late to movies, but luckily there were few times where the seats were taken by someone who didn't need them.

Like you and everyone else I agree that if they have missed 20 minutes out of a movie then they shouldn't be complaining. I also don't believe that a disability means one can push someone around.

[darkkeeperjr]

Twenty minutes before the last star wars film we(me and my girl) entered the movie and all the compaion seats were taken. we asked real nice for the guy to move.It was only 2 seats over. his mom sitting behind him said NO.

So i asked for a folding chair to sit next to "cinderella" in the front row.
manger said "hell no" got a cop and told "asshole guy" to get the hell up!
wind up he had to sit way in the back.then the folks in the back of us started to hiss about how we should had came early like they did.

i wanted to tell one guy that we would had been there earlier if some somebody didn't park his car in the strips next to the handicapped parking so we couldn't get the ramp down.

I felt bad for a while cause noone should have to sit in the back to see starwars unless they like it back there.

[DarkBlade]

i wanted to tell one guy that we would had been there earlier if some somebody didn't park his car in the strips next to the handicapped parking so we couldn't get the ramp down.

You should have. I HATE when people park in those, particularly people with permits who bloody well ought to know better. The permit is to park in the SPACE, not the loading zone.

[darkkeeperjr]

You should have. I HATE when people park in those, particularly people with permits who bloody well ought to know better. The permit is to park in the SPACE, not the loading zone.

Yeah i also hate when people park in the handicapped spaces with the premit hanging from thier rear view mirror, then run into the store. :mad:

[Sabrinaset]

Fuck 'em.
.

Spike and I are agreeing on a lot of things lately, which is kind of disturbing.


You know, something else about Disabled spots that bothers me are all the people who have Handicapped Licence Plates and get to park in the good spaces, but who are CLEARLY NOT DISABLED!!! They just walk out of their car and go wherever...there has to be something that can be done about this.

[JerrBear81]

Spike and I are agreeing on a lot of things lately, which is kind of disturbing.


You know, something else about Disabled spots that bothers me are all the people who have Handicapped Licence Plates and get to park in the good spaces, but who are CLEARLY NOT DISABLED!!! They just walk out of their car and go wherever...there has to be something that can be done about this.

From what I hear, a person can get a placard as long as they have a disability.

[melikeconan]

Well this is from someone who is in a wheelchair. I agree if the other stalls are occupied or not suitable for use then it is ok for an able-bodied person to use the handicap stall. But I gotta tell you, for someone who is not in a wheelchair you will never know how often it happens that someone is in the handicap bathroom for no other reason than it being roomier. You will never know how often able-bodied people park in handicap spots for no ther reason than being 10 ft closer to a building. I myself rarely use handicapspots myself. But I do use the handicap stalls in bathrooms for obvious reasons. It is pretty frustrating for use wheelchair users.

[DarkBlade]

Spike and I are agreeing on a lot of things lately, which is kind of disturbing.


You know, something else about Disabled spots that bothers me are all the people who have Handicapped Licence Plates and get to park in the good spaces, but who are CLEARLY NOT DISABLED!!! They just walk out of their car and go wherever...there has to be something that can be done about this.

Conversely, not everyone who parks in those has to use a wheelchair or walker all the time. Sometimes I'm doing well enough that I can walk the short distance from a disabled space to the booth in the restraunt without a cane. I try REALLY hard to avoid doing big shopping trips in my chair, but oftentimes I end up doing it anyway.

My husband NEVER parks in the disabled space if I'm not going to be getting in or out of the car before it moves again. However, some people do abuse permits of people they know. There ARE people who used to BS their way into the permits, which is why you have to have doctor certification on a state form. Frustratingly, there IS a black market for parking permits, particularly in very urban areas where parking is difficult. People in London have had their cars broken into and their permits stolen. Some states in the US have shortened the amount of time a permanent hangtag is valid to try and fight the whole reselling or using stolen ones thing.

[Puma]

there's also the need for people who are deaf, or with limited hearing, to park close to a facility because of the danger involved walking through a parking lot (although that does bring up the idea that they are driving and being aware of their surroundings so why not while walking but hey, I don't make the rules). Personally, I find it pathetic that abled individuals are so damn lazy they can't walk an extra hundred feet or so (and let's face it, most of us need to walk more anyway) that they resort to abusing the handicap placard system.

[Gilda Dent]

Frustratingly, there IS a black market for parking permits, particularly in very urban areas where parking is difficult. People in London have had their cars broken into and their permits stolen. Some states in the US have shortened the amount of time a permanent hangtag is valid to try and fight the whole reselling or using stolen ones thing.

That is inexcusable. I'll never understand the mentality of able-bodied people being jealous of the "privileges" that come with being disabled.

Gilda

[darkkeeperjr]

Hello everyone, this is "cinderella", the darkkeeper's girlfriend; the handicapped one. I could go on and on about handicapped accessibility, but here are a few responses. From experience, before I was disabled, I was one of the "normal" ones. I cannot recall abusing the stalls or handicapped parking spaces, prior to becoming disabled. That I am proud of, because you never know when your time will come. Mine came at an early age (23). I am now 43. I am officially a twenty year veteran for the diabled and I can truly say that I can still be SHOCKED!!! :eek: I have one word that should describe everything that a handicapped person strives for...INDEPENDENCE.

When I became disabled, that's all I wanted. I didn't want to be looked at as someone that needs help allllllllllll the time. I wanted to do things for myself, by myself, without anyone's help. I spent a whole year in the hospital and could not even turn over without assistance. Every thirty minutes a nurse had to come in and turn me on the other side so that I would not get bed sores. Mission accomplished, because I did not get one the whole year. Back to the responses. My mother and I took on the world of handicapped one day at a time.

There were lots of things that we encountered, specifically the bathroom. The fact that we liked to travel didn't help matters. We encountered bathrooms, too small where my mom hand to lift me and struggle to help me get on the toilet. Those days were fun. :o I eventually had to remember which places I could go to with a big handicapped stall. Sometimes even if you find a handicapped stall, you can't close the door to have a little privacy. You get inquisitive children who want to know why a scooter (which is what I drive now, no wheelchair for me, Ms. Independent) is sticking out of one of the bathroom stalls. The parents are always saying "Johnny get over hear and stop staring". I have gotten use to the children, but the adults? Come on, like an earlier responder said, most handicapped stalls are at the back part of the bathroom, surely adults should have no reason to walk all the way to the last one to see why the front of a scooter is sticking out, but that's another story.

I have worked hard at getting back in to the "normal" world, by getting stronger, being able to go to the bathroom, by myself with few obtacles. My independence is my life. I work just as hard as anyone else (8-10 hours a day), and pay taxes. All I want is to have a little independence. It's not too much to ask, even if it may seem to you like I'm just using my disablility to get what I want when I want it (NOT TRUE). It is ashame that we have to make laws in order to get common courtesy. If you go in a bathroom and there are stalls available, use them. If one is nasty, go to the next one, common sense right? But don't just go straight to the handicapped stall just because it is bigger and roomier. That's just plain wrong. You must keep in mind, that if you use the handicapped stall and some one comes in that needs it, you may be embarrased because you had a choice in using another one and didn't, then maybe you just want to be a _rick. Those that want to be _ricks, we will never change their minds about bathroom stalls until they become handicapped. Then and only then, will they really get it.

I have gone into bathrooms with a line and stayed in line until it was my turn. I have been offered to go ahead, and I usually say "oh no, go ahead, I'm not in a big hurry". They either go ahead or insist that I go, in which case I go, not because I am using my disability to get ahead, but because they were just being kind. All I'm asking for is a little kindness when using the bathroom stalls.

Same thing with the handicapped parking spaces. I found out in North Carolina, that the space between the handicapped parking spaces are courtesy spaces. Nothing more, nothing less. If someone parks in between them, they don't get towed or ticketed. That doesn't mean go out and park there now that you know. It took me 30 minutes standing in the cold waiting for some one to come out of Walmart, because I could not get in my car. Oh, I forgot to mention that I have also worked hard at getting my drivers license so that I could buy a van that I could drive by myself, so that I could get back into the working world and work hard and pay my taxes. :rolleyes: I called the police and he had the driver paged. He said that he could not have them towed or ticketed because the space in between is not part of the handicapped space, it's just a courtesy space. All he could do was make the driver aware of the situation and hoped that new found information would keep them from parking in between the spaces in the future. Sooooooooo, after going through so much to get my drivers license to be as independent as I want, I still have to have help by asking, sometimes a total stranger, to please back my van out so that I can let the ramp down to get in my car because some _rick decided they didn't want to walk a few extra spaces to get in the store.

I don't wake up every moring thinking, I'm handicapped and who am I going to piss off today. I want what everyone else want's. To be happy and INDEPENDENT. The only way to do that in this society is to fight for what is right, so the fight must go on...and on...and on..., oops I get so caught up.

Anyway, to those that understand keep doing what you do, for those of you that don't...KEEP LIVING! You will either become devistated over something in your life that causes you or a loved one to be disabled, or you will grow old and need these very same things that we talk about today. So long for now and I probably won't take up so much of YOUR space and time, but this just CHAPPED MY HIDE!!! :D

[Ayo]

No offense, but could you please go back and edit that into paragraphs? Thanks.

[darkkeeperjr]

No offense, but could you please go back and edit that into paragraphs? Thanks.

No problem, I'm new at this. I hope this is a good read for you.

[DarkBlade]

there's also the need for people who are deaf, or with limited hearing, to park close to a facility because of the danger involved walking through a parking lot (although that does bring up the idea that they are driving and being aware of their surroundings so why not while walking but hey, I don't make the rules). Personally, I find it pathetic that abled individuals are so damn lazy they can't walk an extra hundred feet or so (and let's face it, most of us need to walk more anyway) that they resort to abusing the handicap placard system.

Thank you, I'd forgotten that. They also issue them for extremely vision impaired folks, but they'd obviously be a passenger, not the driver.



Unless your last name is Murdock.

[west3man]

I thought this might be a good place to confess that going to the handicapped stall resulted in my getting trapped in one. Twice.

This was over the course of a couple of weeks. In both cases, I got myself out, but I thought it'd been fixed. It still hasn't. Damned shame.

Anyway, I thought that might provide a Muntzian taunt™ opportunity.





™ - Tomsaiditfirst, Inc. (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showpost.php?p=1968184&postcount=4)

[Boldido]

I thought this might be a good place to confess that going to the handicapped stall resulted in my getting trapped in one. Twice.

This was over the course of a couple of weeks. In both cases, I got myself out, but I thought it'd been fixed. It still hasn't. Damned shame.

Anyway, I thought that might provide a Muntzian taunt™ opportunity.





™ - Tomsaiditfirst, Inc. (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showpost.php?p=1968184&postcount=4)


http://www.uqar.uquebec.ca/technoeduc/hiv98/enbisv01/Nelson.jpg

[JerrBear81]

I thought this might be a good place to confess that going to the handicapped stall resulted in my getting trapped in one. Twice.

This was over the course of a couple of weeks. In both cases, I got myself out, but I thought it'd been fixed. It still hasn't. Damned shame.

Anyway, I thought that might provide a Muntzian taunt™ opportunity.





™ - Tomsaiditfirst, Inc. (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showpost.php?p=1968184&postcount=4)
Which is the very reason I rarely use handicapped stalls. If I get trapped, I'm stuck until someone helps :(

[JerrBear81]

And I'm taking this opportunity to rant about the jagoffs that park in the LOADING zone (The yellow stripes where my van lift would put me at) of handicapped parking spots. Too many people do this in Indiana.

[west3man]

Which is the very reason I rarely use handicapped stalls. If I get trapped, I'm stuck until someone helps :(
Why would you be more likely to get stuck in a handicapped stall. I'd think you'd be LESS likely.

In fact, each of the men's restrooms where I work only offer two stalls and a urinal. If you've gotta sit down, you can choose between a REALLY narrow stall or the handicapped one with is about the size of my first apartment. :p

[JerrBear81]

Why would you be more likely to get stuck in a handicapped stall. I'd think you'd be LESS likely.

In fact, each of the men's restrooms where I work only offer two stalls and a urinal. If you've gotta sit down, you can choose between a REALLY narrow stall or the handicapped one with is about the size of my first apartment. :p
Well less likely. And honestly, there's rarely a need to go to a handicapped stall as I typically use my portable urinal in the van before I go out anywhere.

http://www.vitalitymedical.com/picxl/INV801013.jpg

[west3man]

Well less likely. And honestly, there's rarely a need to go to a handicapped stall as I typically use my portable urinal in the van before I go out anywhere.

http://www.vitalitymedical.com/picxl/INV801013.jpg
I had a "portable urinal" when I finally started sneaking my girlfriend into my on-campus residence. Mine looked like this:
http://behindthemortgage.typepad.com/behind_the_mortgage/images/711_superbiggulp_d.jpg
http://behindthemortgage.typepad.com/behind_the_mortgage/images/711_superbiggulp_d.jpg

...although the contents looked a bit different.

[JerrBear81]

I had a "portable urinal" when I finally started sneaking my girlfriend into my on-campus residence. Mine looked like this:
http://behindthemortgage.typepad.com/behind_the_mortgage/images/711_superbiggulp_d.jpg
http://behindthemortgage.typepad.com/behind_the_mortgage/images/711_superbiggulp_d.jpg

...although the contents looked a bit different.

Those come in handy except they're not exactly spill proof.

[Cei-U!]

And I'm taking this opportunity to rant about the jagoffs that park in the LOADING zone (The yellow stripes where my van lift would put me at) of handicapped parking spots. Too many people do this in Indiana.

I hate those people.

Cei-U!
Off with their heads!

[west3man]

Those come in handy except they're not exactly spill proof.
Ya damned skippy they're not. She had to use'em, but *I* had to empty'em.

Still, they'd do in a piss... I mean pinch.

[JerrBear81]

Ya damned skippy they're not. She had to use'em, but *I* had to empty'em.

Still, they'd do in a piss... I mean pinch.
You should get her one of these:

http://www.productsforseniors.com/images/hea223-2.JPG

[JerrBear81]

I hate those people.

Cei-U!
Off with their heads!
Last time it happened, it was 15 degrees out and they were looking at me like it was my fault that I needed the handicapped space (We had gotten to my van and then saw the car, then they came to their car).

[DarkBlade]

And I'm taking this opportunity to rant about the jagoffs that park in the LOADING zone (The yellow stripes where my van lift would put me at) of handicapped parking spots. Too many people do this in Indiana.

I fucking hate that. Especially when the offender has a disabled permit. They of all people should know better, damnit!

[Bard]

Here's a question though. Let's say there's a line to use the bathroom. (I know, more often in women's restrooms, and the line is slower in women's, but I've seen lines for the men's room too.) Somebody in a chair cues up somewhere behind you in line. It comes your turn as someone vacates the accessible stall. Do you take it, as you've been waiting, they should have to wait in line till everyone who was already there files through, or do they get first crack at the accessible stall when it opens up? (I hope that made sense.)

If you're a pregnant woman in the last stage (where you're having to go every 15-30 minutes regardless) and next up in line, you make the other person wait (handicap or no). No offense with anyone with certified handicaps, but being pregnant can be just as debilitating.

And as Valmore said, in Tallytown, if you arrive 20 minutes late to a movie, the ticket ppl usually won't sell you a tix in the first place.

[Gilda Dent]

If you're a pregnant woman in the last stage (where you're having to go every 15-30 minutes regardless) and next up in line, you make the other person wait (handicap or no). No offense with anyone with certified handicaps, but being pregnant can be just as debilitating.

And as Valmore said, in Tallytown, if you arrive 20 minutes late to a movie, the ticket ppl usually won't sell you a tix in the first place.

To go along with this, I love that some stores, particularly Toys R Us and a couple of grocery stores I've seen, have "stork parking" for pregnant women.

Gilda

[Bouncing Boy]

I try not to use the handicaped stall if at all possible, but sometimes they make the normal stalls too small for me. At the wall*mart I worked at when I lived in New York, the normal stalls were so tight that the toilet paper despenser box pressed into my thigh to the point where it was painful. There, I felt justified in using the handicaped stall. At the wal*mart I currently work at, the normal stalls are wide enough for me to sit comfortably, so I only use the handicaped stalls if no others are available and I have to go so bad that I can't hold it.

[west3man]

I try not to use the handicaped stall if at all possible, but sometimes they make the normal stalls too small for me. At the wall*mart I worked at when I lived in New York, the normal stalls were so tight that the toilet paper despenser box pressed into my thigh to the point where it was painful. There, I felt justified in using the handicaped stall. At the wal*mart I currently work at, the normal stalls are wide enough for me to sit comfortably, so I only use the handicaped stalls if no others are available and I have to go so bad that I can't hold it.
The narrow stall I mentioned at work would've been too narrow for you, I think, as it is almost too narrow for me. It's so doggone unnecessarily SNUG.

Maybe there's a claustrophobic component to my aversion to such stalls. If so, it's probably made even worse by the fact that the stalls at my job have zero above- or below-the-door clearance.

That's why it was possible for me to get trapped when the door wouldn't open. If you can't get that door open using the latches, you've gotta break that bastard down.

[DarkBlade]

To go along with this, I love that some stores, particularly Toys R Us and a couple of grocery stores I've seen, have "stork parking" for pregnant women.

Gilda

I've accidently parked in those before. Pulled in 'cause my brain just registered sign on stick, looked up, and went "woops." Had to move.

[Trystenn]

I read an article in the St. Pete times today that made me pause. Part of the article contained a couple that brought their two wheelchair bound children to the theater for a 7:30 p.m., Friday show. They arrived twenty minutes late and when they went into the theater, all the companion seats were taken. The article doesn't say if they were all taken by non-disabled people. The family asked people to move and they refused. The parents then asked the management to ask people to move. The response from management was that twenty minutes past showtime on a Friday night was too late to be reasonable to ask someone to move. They suggested they see a later show.

I think that people should avoid sitting in companion seats if they can, especially if comparable non-companion seats are available. I don't think, however, that companion seating is the same as reserved seating. I think it is reasonable to ask for help from management if it is ten or fifteen minutes before a show and people are sitting in companion seats, unless all other seats are already filled. If you show up 20 minutes late, however, my feelings of sympathy are significantly diminished.

I feel the same way about handicapped stalls. If I go into a restroom and all the stalls are filled, or too filthy to use, then I will use the handicapped stall with zero guilt. I do hate people who make a b-line to the handicapped stall just because they are roomier.
Well its just polite to say the least.