Comments on: Baffling Toilet Signs

By: Church

Church — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:03:42 +0000

“Chris Pike of the Tewkesbury Borough Council says “ambulant” restrooms are larger than standard…”

Well yeah. Captain Pike has to get his giant wheelchair in there.

By: AmyG

AmyG — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:36:27 +0000

My question is, what’s with the sexism? Male “ambulants” get their own urinal restroom, but females have to share?? Funny decision-making all around . . .

By: Crispy75

Crispy75 — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 20:14:53 +0000

They’re mandatory in any run of cubicles over a certain size, by the building regulations. It’s a fairly recent rule, so you don’t see them everywhere.

By: algomeysa

algomeysa — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:56:37 +0000

In the US they’re called Handicapped stalls.

By: Alistair

Alistair — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 17:49:07 +0000

In the US at least they are called ambulatory stalls. They are narrower than the large accessible stalls usually seen in multi-stall restrooms, but they still have the handrails on each side to aide in getting up and down, I assume that’s what the “canes” are supposed to represent.

By: Skipweasel

Skipweasel — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:52:32 +0000

Some people are easily baffled – and some love to display just how easily.

If there’s any doubt – why not open the door and see if it’s suitable?

By: Smolken

Smolken — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 16:36:30 +0000

My initial thought, given that it’s intended for a restroom, was that it was someone with two canes (somewhat, but not fully disabled). I agree it’s an awful choice, but it doesn’t seem that baffling when you consider the context in which you would see it.