**Denied use of DISABLED toilet in jobcentre

hayley11

Oooh I think the idea of going to the paper is an excellent one. I'd definitely do that.

Ruby_Moon

ShaShaSha wrote: »

He gets DLA, has a neurological disease that this man cant possibly understand the symptoms off - so he is allowed to say my partner is not disabled enough to use a disabled toilet? :eek:

If he has a disabled toilet, then he has covered his disability requirement to provide one even if the rule is for wheelchair users only (or even people who have a great deal of difficulty walking).
But he doesn't know any of this just by looking at anyone. He can't tell who is or is not disabled and who is or is not claiming benefit, unless your partner has a sign above his head saying so?
So, the manager says no, you cannot use the toilet because you are not in need (as per the rules). Nothing wrong with that.
He has probably had 1000 or more people 'trying it on' just to use that loo and so now, because people do take the p***,. the rules are adhered to firmly. NO use unless wheelchair bound (or perhaps some other, very obvious walking difficulty)
He may have been rude but some folk just are aren't they?

ShaShaSha

hayley11 wrote: »

I just wanted to say I think it's disgraceful the way your partner was treated. I would do as dmg suggested and contact your MP.

It really really annoys me when people make assumptions about a persons disability based on how they look and you'd think somebody working for the job centre wouldn't be so ignorant.

I hope you get it sorted and get an apology

You know it would be a compliment if the man had then accepted he was disabled, despite looking 'perfectly normal' as he sometimes has facial muscle weakness at times during the day which affects how he looks and hes very self-consious about this, so its good to know he looks 'normal'! despite feeling like an 95 year old man!

Thanks, ive forwarded onto the Disability Law Service, Disability and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Local MP and ofcourse the Jobcentres area manager. I just hope this doesnt happen to someone else, I dont understand how anyone who isnt a medical profession can deny someone the use of a disabled toilet despite knowing he gets DLA

leylie

Would your partner agree to becoming Registered Disabled?


I think the council would issue him with a card - and a Registration number. Not only would this make it very difficult for the job centre to refuse him the access, but it is also used as proof for VAT-free entitlement if he has to buy any special equipment - perhaps invest in a RADAR key to give access to other 'public' toilets?.

This quote is from the Direct Gov website:


Registering as a disabled person If your disability is 'substantial and permanent', you can register as a disabled person with your local council.
It is not necessary to register to get local council services, but it may help in getting concessions such as reduced fares for public transport. It should also help your local council plan their services.
Your local social services department should be able to help you complete the registration form if necessary.


(I've put the link too, in case there is more information here that might be useful to you)
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/HealthAndSupport/ArrangingHealthAndSocialCare/DG_4000436


http://radar-shop.org.uk/Detail.aspx?id=1

ShaShaSha

Ruby_Moon wrote: »

If he has a disabled toilet, then he has covered his disability requirement to provide one even if the rule is for wheelchair users only (or even people who have a great deal of difficulty walking).
But he doesn't know any of this just by looking at anyone. He can't tell who is or is not disabled and who is or is not claiming benefit, unless your partner has a sign above his head saying so?
So, the manager says no, you cannot use the toilet because you are not in need (as per the rules). Nothing wrong with that.
He has probably had 1000 or more people 'trying it on' just to use that loo and so now, because people do take the p***,. the rules are adhered to firmly. NO use unless wheelchair bound (or perhaps some other, very obvious walking difficulty)
He may have been rude but some folk just are aren't they?

I use a wheelchair quite a lot of the time, and I dont have an urgent need for the toilet like someone with an incontinence problem does, so really id only expect to use a disabled toilet like everyone else - except I need more room - that is all. He himself CANNOT define disabled, thats the law- ive just read it. If you google the disability discrimination act it explains what 'disability' is defined as, and it does not just conform to someone who is in a wheelchair or has severe walking difficulty - The manager even said that I could use the toilet because I had a limp when I walked in!!

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) was written to introduce new measures that identify and prevent discrimination occurring when -

• A disabled person is treated less favourably than someone else
• The treatment is for a reason relating to the person's disability
• The treatment cannot be justified
• In some situations, less favourable treatment may amount to "direct discrimination" and this cannot be justified.

This man treated my disabled partner less favourably than me, without even knowing the extent of my disability and judging on a limp.

ShaShaSha

leylie wrote: »

Would your partner agree to becoming Registered Disabled?


I think the council would issue him with a card - and a Registration number. Not only would this make it very difficult for the job centre to refuse him the access, but it is also used as proof for VAT-free entitlement if he has to buy any special equipment - perhaps invest in a RADAR key to give access to other 'public' toilets?.

This quote is from the Direct Gov website:


Registering as a disabled person If your disability is 'substantial and permanent', you can register as a disabled person with your local council.
It is not necessary to register to get local council services, but it may help in getting concessions such as reduced fares for public transport. It should also help your local council plan their services.
Your local social services department should be able to help you complete the registration form if necessary.


(I've put the link too, in case there is more information here that might be useful to you)
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/HealthAndSupport/ArrangingHealthAndSocialCare/DG_4000436


http://radar-shop.org.uk/Detail.aspx?id=1

Thanks so much, thats a really good idea with the key as there have been many tight spots with getting him to a toilet and them having radar keys. Thank you!!!!!!! :T:T:T:T

I think he would do anything to prevent happening what did today!

ShaShaSha

leylie wrote: »

Would your partner agree to becoming Registered Disabled?

The link says england only, so im going to contact my local council tomorrow as im in Scotland - and see what they suggest. Thanks again

[Deleted User]

Ruby_Moon wrote: »

If he wants. No law against it.

I should bite my tounge really,but have to ask would you have this same cavalier attitude if this had happened to you in this way?


some how i doubt it

ben500

Ruby_Moon wrote: »

If he has a disabled toilet, then he has covered his disability requirement to provide one even if the rule is for wheelchair users only (or even people who have a great deal of difficulty walking).
But he doesn't know any of this just by looking at anyone. He can't tell who is or is not disabled and who is or is not claiming benefit, unless your partner has a sign above his head saying so?
So, the manager says no, you cannot use the toilet because you are not in need (as per the rules). Nothing wrong with that.
He has probably had 1000 or more people 'trying it on' just to use that loo and so now, because people do take the p***,. the rules are adhered to firmly. NO use unless wheelchair bound (or perhaps some other, very obvious walking difficulty)
He may have been rude but some folk just are aren't they?

What a load of gob!!!!!! You didn't even take time to read the op properly before posting your first answer, then you come out with this claptrap.

dmg24

Ruby_Moon wrote: »

If he wants. No law against it.

You are incorrect. There are laws against disability discrimination.

Quizzical_Squirrel wrote: »

How weird that the jobcentre only has toilets for the disabled. Is this usual?

Yes, quite usual. Many Jobcentres did used to have toilets, but they became a haven for drug use, and all sorts of other 'unsavoury' activity. Sadly the minority meant that the majority had to suffer.