Asda are introducing the addition of words “Not all Disabilities are Visible” to their Accessible Disabled Toilet signs. I for one have been shouted at by all ages. “She’s Not Disabled” has been shouted at me on many occasions. If I dare to put a bit of makeup on and brush my hair before shopping then this is how I have been treated on many an occasion.
This is the link http://bit.ly/2aGel4e
Well done Asda. Hope others follow this excellent idea. 
Shazzie xx
hiya
yes-i saw this. reminded me of when i was waiting to use hosp disabled loo (i am ‘obviously disabled’) when i member of staff walked out. some said i should complain… why?! my reply was exactly as above-not all disabilities are visible so its not my place to pass comment!
have just been to local tescos and an apparently able bodied man strode out the disabled loo-i didnt say a word cos theres nothing to say! i didnt know him so was unaware of any hidden issues he may have…
a lesson to be learnt for us all!
ellie
This is a brilliant idea!
My first thought was ‘Hmm - I bet this gets abused by ‘able bodied’ people’
Then I thought ‘Hey, wait a minute - they no doubt already do that anyway’ lol
What I would ALSO like to see if I’m honest, is more than ONE token disabled toilet per public toilets!
(You’d think being disabled was a new invention!).
‘Not all disablities are visible’ is the mantra of my flippin life!
Steff
xxx
One pub that we do not eat in any more has their disabled loo locked and needing a RADAR key.
If you do not have one, there is a key behind the bar…
not a perfect system, but it works.
Geoff
Whereas I’ve had a couple of experiences in museums where I was waiting outside a disabled loo when a person who didn’t look disabled came out. I challenged them I didn’t shout at them, just said ‘you shouldn’t use this toilet if you’re not disabled’. One woman looked embarrassed and scurried off. The other (who had two small children with her) said something about her children needing the loo. I had been waiting long enough that I had wet myself by the time she and her children were done.
Just a final thought on this. In the British Museum, you have to walk past the disabled loo to get to the other toilets. When my husband was waiting outside the disabled loos for me, he said the vast majority of (able-bodied) people checked to see if they could get into the disabled loos as they went past. I agree with Geoff - all disabled loos should have a Radar key, with staff holding a spare one.
Yes it’s a great idea. Doesn’t stop us feeling a bit miffed when someone who doesn’t ‘look’ like they’re disabled either uses the one and only disabled loo, or parks in a disabled spot.
But that’s human nature. Those of us who definitely look disabled and are clearly entitled to disabled facilities will always feel a bit aggrieved by the less visibly entitled.
And given that anyone can buy a radar key, possession of one doesn’t automatically mean the person is disabled. Sadly.
Sue
Strongly agree with all above.
Another thing that I’ve noticed at Asda. They are stopping disabled people sitting in cars parked in the disabled bays waiting for their able bodied drivers to come back to their cars after shopping. It is so annoying when I’m looking for a disabled bay and intending to get out of the car with hubby who drives the car. I witnessed an Asda employee asking a driver to park out of the disabled bay if his disabled wife was gonna sit in the car and wait for him to return.
Even though I’m disabled I agree with what they have done there. Well done Asda.
Shazzie xx
I have seen an employee knocking on the window of a car parked in the disability bay and ask the person why they are parked in the bay just to sit in the car.
I agree with what you say anon it is thin ice but can also be very annoying if the disabled person is just sat in the car.
If we shop and my hubby intends to shop alone then we always park away from the disabled bays and I sit in the car and wait. I wouldn’t dream of using a disabled bay just to sit in the car.
Many a times I have seen an obvious disabled person (struggling to get his buggy out of his car because there is not enough room) having to park quite away from the entrance of the store because there are no disabled bays available.
Shazzie xx
Ah. I get you anon. I don’t think you are abusing it at all. If both have blue badges then that’s fine. I must have had another blonde moment when I first read your reply. Lol!! And my blonde is out of a box. Oh dear.
Shazzie x
I would vote for a smaller radar key lol, its huge and heavy, and hard to carry lol.
we’ve parked in disabled spaces and I’ve gotten out of the car then got back in… sometimes just too tired or it’s too hot. Rob will leave the car in the space as it’s the closest I can get to the loo if needed. Mot perfect I know but a few times I’ve just had to sit.
Anyhow, I think Asda have been really good doing this. I wish mine was invisible but sadly I lurch too much to pretend I’m ok now.
Sonia x
There have been times when I’ve waited for a disabled loo to become vacant and the occupants have been giggling inside. They came out carrying clothes they been trying on. They were very apologetic and a bit red faced!
When I and my carer are in a disabled loo and take however long we need, people waiting sometimes knock on the door in an impatient way. Then when they see me coming out in my wheelchair, they apologise profusely. I tell them I am also sorry for taking too long!
Pollx
With the toilets used for the disabled normally being baby changers too, this causes more stress to genuine users. It’s good asda are keeping conk on spaces, must be a endless task with their business. It’s no hard work to put the badge on the dash for all to see, lets be honest.