Can non-disabled people use accessible toilets?

This question comes up so frequently, so I’m blogging about it again.

Here’s the scenario. There is a queue for toilets – but the accessible one is not occupied. Should non-disabled people use it?

• If you are queuing and can hold your bladder/bowel then continuing to queue would be the best course of action.
• If you need the baby changing table, and the only one is in a unisex accessible toilet – then use it to change your baby.
• If you are a carer/PA, and need to stay with a severely disabled person at all times, both people may need to go into an accessible toilet.

* Note that UK building standards suggest a baby changing table should not be located in an accessible toilet. 

The key aim is to enable people who only have a moments notice to empty their bladder/bowel/bag , to be reassured that the chances of a vacant accessible toilet is a good one.  Companies should make sure ‘availability’ is part of being accessible by providing enough toilets and separate parent/baby changing facilities.