**Denied use of DISABLED toilet in jobcentre

missile

Could it be that there have been able bodied people using the disabled toilet and the manager is trying to stop them?

Not making excuses, but it could be a no win situation?

Indie_Kid

Broken_hearted wrote: »

If I'm honest this case comes as no suprise at all, the treatment of disabled people is bad enough to start with, Those with hidden disabilities are treated like dirt by most and if you are a young adult you have no chance.

And it's worse if you're both young and have invisible disabilties. (like myself)

being on dla is now seen as the same as being registered disabled used to be

But being on dla and being registered disabled aren't the same thing. I was registered disabled in June 2007 - almost a year before I was awarded dla.

Coupon-mad

missile wrote: »

Could it be that there have been able bodied people using the disabled toilet and the manager is trying to stop them?

Not making excuses, but it could be a no win situation?

Yes, quite possibly, but many, many people have hidden disabilities and customer-facing staff should certainly be aware of this. If not they definitely need to go on a disability awareness course, sharpish!

But all service-providers - if they work from premises where customers visit, and where it is possible to provide a disabled toilet and/or a disabled parking bay - HAVE to let someone use that facility if that person meets the DDA definition of disability.

If in doubt a Manager would have to allow it if the person claims to have such a disability -
no proof is required (and quite right too, not everyone wants such a 'label' but may still need to use any facilities provided for disabled service-users).

There really are no excuses for this dreadful, unlawful treatment of the OP's OH at a Job Centre.

jazabelle

Yeah, I agree about DLA not being the same thing as being disabled. I walk with a stick, I'm in constant pain and have high care needs. I have a blue badge and would be housebound without it. But I don't have DLA - and am still very much disabled.

Ruby_Moon

ben500 wrote: »

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.

What do you mean I didn't read the OP properly?
I replied to the OP that the manager may have had enough of people asking to use the toilets and because we don't all walk around with signs on our heads, it is very difficult for other people to see invisible illnesses.
I come across it all the time with people.
How can anyone tell who is and who isn't disabled just by looking at them?
I really don't understand why you refer to my post as gob!!!!! when I was saying the same as several others have said on here.

jazabelle

Ruby_Moon wrote: »

How can anyone tell who is and who isn't disabled just by looking at them?

Exactly! So under no circumstances should ANYONE be turned away. So what if a few able bodied people get through by lying? I'd much rather than that disabled people be turned away.

Ruby_Moon

jazabelle wrote: »

Exactly! So under no circumstances should ANYONE be turned away. So what if a few able bodied people get through by lying? I'd much rather than that disabled people be turned away.

So they have a constant stream of people using the loo? Any business? Not just the job centre but anywhere? This will never happen because people do abuse it. It is the people who abuse systems who spoil it for others in the long run.

jazabelle

But surely not letting disabled people is also spoiling it for them?

So you are really saying people with invisible disabilities shouldn't get to use the disabled toilet, because a minority of people abuse it? So rather than just allow anyone who says they are disabled to use it, you'd ban everyone - no matter who will suffer due to this?

Ruby_Moon

jazabelle wrote: »

But surely not letting disabled people is also spoiling it for them?

So you are really saying people with invisible disabilities shouldn't get to use the disabled toilet, because a minority of people abuse it? So rather than just allow anyone who says they are disabled to use it, you'd ban everyone - no matter who will suffer due to this?

No, that isn't what I am saying.
I put across the view from the other side and also pointed out that the manager had not actually done anything illegal. Rude, yes, illegal, no.
It's a difficult situation that is not easy to deal with without upsetting someone along the line.

jazabelle

But it is illegal, it's against the DDA. I just don't think it is a difficult situation. You just let disabled people use the toilet. End of story.