This guy writes a weekly article on ethics. See 2nd Question: http://www.thestar.com/article/544941
Last week he espoused that it is perfectly acceptable for Ab's to use the disabled washroom / stall.
Is it? I always thought it was a faux pas... Perhaps this guy needs to be corrected.
Last week he espoused that it is perfectly acceptable for Ab's to use the disabled washroom / stall.
Is it? I always thought it was a faux pas... Perhaps this guy needs to be corrected.
Q: My church installed new washrooms to replace the cesspools we used to have. They are lovely, but I prefer the handicapped washroom because it offers more privacy. I'm not handicapped, so when I emerge I often get dirty looks. There's never anyone using the handicapped washroom, but still I feel guilty using it. Should I?
A: Nope. You don't need a sticker to use a handicapped washroom – if you did, I'm not exactly sure where you'd stick it.
The wheelchair symbol on a parking space has a specific meaning: "Reserved for people with a recognized disability." But that's the only place it has that meaning. On buildings, the wheelchair sign designates that the facility is suitable for use by persons with a disability – not reserved for such persons.
Modifying buildings to be "barrier-free" is expensive, so there's an important principle here. The expense is justified, in part, by the fact that many different kinds of people benefit from the changes. Parents with kids in strollers enjoy the ease of push-button doors and threshold-free passageways – and baby change tables are installed in "handicapped" washrooms because there's more room to use them. For many reasons, people may find an elevator easier than stairs. A good sound system benefits everyone, not just the hard of hearing.
If there's a lineup at the door of the barrier-free bathroom, let the nice lady in the wheelchair go first; you have more options than she does. Otherwise, feel free to enjoy a guilt-free moment without listening to the ruminations in the stall next door.
Send your questions directly to
Ken Gallinger at ethical@sympatico.ca.
A: Nope. You don't need a sticker to use a handicapped washroom – if you did, I'm not exactly sure where you'd stick it.
The wheelchair symbol on a parking space has a specific meaning: "Reserved for people with a recognized disability." But that's the only place it has that meaning. On buildings, the wheelchair sign designates that the facility is suitable for use by persons with a disability – not reserved for such persons.
Modifying buildings to be "barrier-free" is expensive, so there's an important principle here. The expense is justified, in part, by the fact that many different kinds of people benefit from the changes. Parents with kids in strollers enjoy the ease of push-button doors and threshold-free passageways – and baby change tables are installed in "handicapped" washrooms because there's more room to use them. For many reasons, people may find an elevator easier than stairs. A good sound system benefits everyone, not just the hard of hearing.
If there's a lineup at the door of the barrier-free bathroom, let the nice lady in the wheelchair go first; you have more options than she does. Otherwise, feel free to enjoy a guilt-free moment without listening to the ruminations in the stall next door.
Send your questions directly to
Ken Gallinger at ethical@sympatico.ca.
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