Note: the word disabled describes a person while handicaps are obstacles that affect disabled people.
You may not think of bathrooms as a major issue, but have you ever had to pee in a public place? No one likes it, but if you have to go you have to go. These are some things my perfect bathroom would have. I am NOT speaking for all people with disabilities.
Little things make a big difference when you need them. You probably don’t notice them if you don’t, and that’s okay. It doesn’t make you a bad person in anyway. When you learn about a struggle someone or a group of people may have that you don’t, they probably don’t need your pity. My advice would be to simply not ignore the problem or decide not to care at all. Speak up when you are in a position of privilege and can help someone, but be mindful not to steal their voices. Do what you can. If you don’t see any actions you can take, just educate yourself and be kind. Doors are heavy, so the open-door buttons were imperative if I wanted to get anywhere by myself for a long time. I could write a book on all of the loopholes people fall into legally and all the people trying to end ADA and cut costs that drastically affect disabled people. I don’t want to get into that, but at the very least I think we can all educate ourselves a little more. I hear the people saying changes are expensive. So what? Aren’t we worth it? Also, not in bathrooms, but literally everywhere else: please, I need chairs. I will be dying in a store and there is nowhere to go. Outside, in general. Anywhere to take a break. Please. This is not only for people with physical disabilities. So many people benefit from smarter bathrooms. Maybe not all or any of the things on my list, but I know that parents (especially traveling alone with their child of the opposite sex) and people caring for older adults often have similar problems with accessibility. I don’t have all of the answers, but there are people out there working on legislation and inventions to ease these struggles or eradicate them completely. And to them, I say thank you, you are doing something important.
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Who Am I?Hi there! I'm Whit, my pronouns are they/them, and I write a lot.
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Painting by Whit Acrylics on masonite April 20th, 2019 Words are a Quaker saying. George Fox? |