topic Re: Handicap restrooms... in Community Chat

Handicap restrooms...

MamaWick — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 17:24:48 GMT

Random question...

Why are handicap stalls at the very back of most public restrooms?

Re: Handicap restrooms...

SloopJohnB — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 17:28:41 GMT

@MamaWick wrote:
Random question...

Why are handicap stalls at the very back of most public restrooms?

I take it as they don't want able bodied people to select the first stall they come across.

Re: Handicap restrooms...

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 17:29:04 GMT

@MamaWick wrote:
Random question...

Why are handicap stalls at the very back of most public restrooms?

@MamaWick - I assume it's because they're out of the way of the rest of the people who need to use a stall. Imagine if the handicapped stall was the first one and the user had any kind of difficulty maneuvering. Those in other stalls and those waiting for a stall couldn't get by.

Re: Handicap restrooms...

I am still oxox — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 17:35:55 GMT

A lot of restrooms were retrofitted to allow for handicapped stalls. My eye doc is in a medical building with no handicapped stalls. I was very difficult to manage to get my walker in a regular size stall

Re: Handicap restrooms...

Janey2 — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 17:36:11 GMT

@MamaWick So the grab bar is on a solid wall and the doors swing outward

Re: Handicap restrooms...

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 17:41:30 GMT

@Janey2 wrote:
@MamaWick So the grab bar is on a solid wall and the doors swing outward

That makes sense, @Janey2, but I've been many places where there are a handicapped stalls beside one another and there's no solid wall. The outward swinging door is a good point.

Re: Handicap restrooms...

Q-Checker — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 18:19:59 GMT

Imagine if the handicapped stall was the first one and there was enough space to facilitate access and egress. Imagine if able-bodied people had compassion.

Re: Handicap restrooms...

DSD2 — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 18:20:12 GMT

I believe accessible stalls are located near the rear of public restooms to provide a direct and accessible pathway. This allows people with disabilities to comfortably and safely utilize any assistive devices they might require.

Re: Handicap restrooms...

kitcat51 — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 18:56:34 GMT

The reasons are easily found by doing a Goggle search....Why handicap stalls are located in the back of public restrooms.

Re: Handicap restrooms...

Kachina624 — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 19:11:08 GMT

They are a look ways large and being n in back corner gives them more space plus it's easier to maneuver a wheelchair there out of traffic.

Re: Handicap restrooms...

Lovestheshores — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 19:14:24 GMT

@MamaWick - They're placed at the back of public restrooms to maximize space, accommodate ADA mandated large turning radiuses and to use structural walls to secure heavy-duty grab rail installation. Also, by placing them at the back it prevents the large outward swinging doors from obstructing other bathrooms and the bathroom walkway.

edited for typo

Re: Handicap restrooms...

Sooner — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 19:40:02 GMT

@Q-Checker wrote:
Imagine if the handicapped stall was the first one and there was enough space to facilitate access and egress. Imagine if able-bodied people had compassion.

@Q-Checker That's mean spirited and a prejudice about most people. There are legitimate reasons for this. Imagine if you are in a wheel chair and trying to move from it into the space and onto the toilet at the front of the restroom. People backed up behind you, people watching you. No solid wall with grab bar to help you. Now how great does that sound?

Re: Handicap restrooms...

Q-Checker — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 19:48:21 GMT

@Sooner

Imagine if you are using a walker and find the walk to the end of a long row of stalls to be daunting. Improved architectural design is needed.

Re: Handicap restrooms...

Sooner — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 19:54:07 GMT

@Q-Checker wrote:
@Sooner
Imagine if you are using a walker and find the walk to the end of a long row of stalls to be daunting. Improved architectural design is needed.

@Q-Checker You have to walk to the store to get there. And no, I have all the sympathy in the world for anyone who is handicapped and know that someday if I am blessed enough to be older it will be me.

But common sense has to come into play and it is not a perfect world. But you can't logically put the handicapped stall up front. And if you are walking with a cane, probably you don't need to use the handicapped stall.

Re: Handicap restrooms...

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 20:17:55 GMT

@Q-Checker wrote:
Imagine if the handicapped stall was the first one and there was enough space to facilitate access and egress. Imagine if able-bodied people had compassion.

It has nothing to do with compassion, @Q-Checker, but practicality and efficiency. DH and I attend a lot of concerts where there are big crowds. Sometimes there is an intermission and sometimes there isn't. When there is, it's not very long, maybe 20 minutes. People who need to use the facilities need to get in, get done, and get out in the most efficient way possible. Putting the handicapped stall last supports this, to make it quicker for the rest of the people to get in and out in a timely manner.

Re: Handicap restrooms...

I am still oxox — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 20:21:59 GMT

In our town pool there are 3 booths one of them handicapped. A lot of people use it as a dressing room, while there is a dressing room at the other end of the hall . I can not tell you home many time I have been sitting there with my walker and an able body person with our a cane or anything comes strolling out

Re: Handicap restrooms...

qualitygal — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 20:40:38 GMT

Believe it's due to the size of the room, they may need to accomodate wheel chairs and some have sinks in them.

Re: Handicap restrooms...

JeanLouiseFinch — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 20:42:08 GMT

@I am still oxox - it may be inappropriate to use the handicapped stall as a changing room but for clarification, handicapped bathroom stalls are made to be accessible. They are not exclusive. Everyone is allowed to use them.

Re: Handicap restrooms...

occasionalrain — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 20:51:51 GMT

It's the first stall in one of the grocery stores where I often shop. I seldom use public restrooms so I don't know about others.

Re: Handicap restrooms...

Carmie — Sun, 29 Mar 2026 20:54:34 GMT

@MamaWick wrote:
Random question...

Why are handicap stalls at the very back of most public restrooms?

My guess those bathrooms were designed by the same people who designed grocery store handicapped parking spaces a quarter of a mile from the cart returns stations.