Disability a sign and the times
Recently there have been many posts in the Webverse about disabled toilet door signs showing symbols of men and woman next to a traditional wheelchair sign. These new signs are supposed to depict and make people think about hidden disabilities. Also there seem to be quite a few posts promoting autism friendly shopping/visiting and Sites promoting accessible venues.
In one sense it’s good that these things are recognised and issues relating to disabilities are brought to light. However it would be better if people didn’t judge people full stop. The problem I think isn’t one of hidden disabilities, its more about a lack of care and consideration for those who have the additional needs that go with using a wheelchair or have additional disabilities.
Please before you get angry with me. As I’ve said above we should not judge anyone. I do not have a problem with anyone using these facilities I write this post to just get people to think and consider other issues.
Let’s have a look at why these facilities exist. These toilets as with disabled car parking spaces have been designed using Building M Regulations and appropriate standards. You can view these easily by looking on line. When you do look at the appropriate pages and references note that these toilets are referenced and have been designed for "wheelchair users". Whether this is right or not these are the current rules. If we don’t agree with this don’t put signs up. Work to change understanding and the rules.
Yes there may be occasions when people with non-visible disabilities need to use these toilets, and all individuals should be left to decide whether they are or not. But the point here is I know that there are people who have disabilities who don’t NEED these facilities and other non-disabled who used them because they are easier or afford more privacy. That is and should be the issue. We don’t need signs we need to improve our social conscience. We need to think about others instead of ourselves.
Like car parking spaces or lifts or disabled spaces on buses none of these issues are issues really if we as a collective group of people work to change our perceptions and think of the greater good than just me or I. If I can move with a bit of effort or can use other facilities then we should regardless of your ability or position. Being a bit put out has got to be considered ok, when it may effect someone else’s ability to actually choose between having the chance to participate or not.
Similarly I believe we don’t need autism friendly hours for stores or other venues. In fact we need to do the opposite make society understand and accept disability as a way of life. I read a paper by the EHRC earlier this year on discrimination. It concluded that the best way to stop discrimination was to integrate those aspects in to society. In order to stop discrimination we have to integrate these things in to our societies not separate them.
Recently there have been many posts in the Webverse about disabled toilet door signs showing symbols of men and woman next to a traditional wheelchair sign. These new signs are supposed to depict and make people think about hidden disabilities. Also there seem to be quite a few posts promoting autism friendly shopping/visiting and Sites promoting accessible venues.
In one sense it’s good that these things are recognised and issues relating to disabilities are brought to light. However it would be better if people didn’t judge people full stop. The problem I think isn’t one of hidden disabilities, its more about a lack of care and consideration for those who have the additional needs that go with using a wheelchair or have additional disabilities.
Please before you get angry with me. As I’ve said above we should not judge anyone. I do not have a problem with anyone using these facilities I write this post to just get people to think and consider other issues.
Let’s have a look at why these facilities exist. These toilets as with disabled car parking spaces have been designed using Building M Regulations and appropriate standards. You can view these easily by looking on line. When you do look at the appropriate pages and references note that these toilets are referenced and have been designed for "wheelchair users". Whether this is right or not these are the current rules. If we don’t agree with this don’t put signs up. Work to change understanding and the rules.
Yes there may be occasions when people with non-visible disabilities need to use these toilets, and all individuals should be left to decide whether they are or not. But the point here is I know that there are people who have disabilities who don’t NEED these facilities and other non-disabled who used them because they are easier or afford more privacy. That is and should be the issue. We don’t need signs we need to improve our social conscience. We need to think about others instead of ourselves.
Like car parking spaces or lifts or disabled spaces on buses none of these issues are issues really if we as a collective group of people work to change our perceptions and think of the greater good than just me or I. If I can move with a bit of effort or can use other facilities then we should regardless of your ability or position. Being a bit put out has got to be considered ok, when it may effect someone else’s ability to actually choose between having the chance to participate or not.
Similarly I believe we don’t need autism friendly hours for stores or other venues. In fact we need to do the opposite make society understand and accept disability as a way of life. I read a paper by the EHRC earlier this year on discrimination. It concluded that the best way to stop discrimination was to integrate those aspects in to society. In order to stop discrimination we have to integrate these things in to our societies not separate them.
Just sometimes it feels like
those in power who have very little understanding of the issues faced by the
disabled and want us to be put in smaller boxes, all with our own labels. It is
this separation that weakens us as we lose our strength and voice.
Let’s not build a world that
separates us by signs, or days and times when and where we can or cannot
go. I don’t want to go to a specialist site telling me where it is accessible
or not. No I believe we strongly need to work to promote better acceptance and
understanding where we all take responsibility as a community. Not just individuals
or groups that we represent, we need integration where we all work to get the
government and businesses working for an inclusive society. It can I believe be
done.
Comments
Post a Comment