Disabled are they second class citizens
On club sites there are one, or if you are lucky, two disabled shower / toilets for the complete site. Having a disabled partner confined to a wheel chair, this can be problematic at times. This has got worse since lock down, non disabled people with their own radar keys are using the disabled showers as a way to jump the queue. Four weeks ago at Southport site we sat outside the disabled toilet with my wife in a very distressed state when a young couple came out of the shower as they just wanted to shower together. This was not an isolated case and needless to say we left the site early.
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Comments
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I’m sorry to hear that. I'm a legitimate holder of a Radar key myself and am dismayed at how easy they are to buy these days.
However, I don’t know what can be done and we are, by publicising the issue, likely to encourage others to abuse the privilege.
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Radar keys OH has one now, are being bought by many not "eligable" others Bus and Taxi drivers? as when they need to "use the loo" many public toilets are now closed because of costs?and continual vandalism,which then in many place only leaves the radar key operated toilet available
It is a problem that i can see only getting, more of a problem,in the past the Disabled toilet/shower on club sites was available by a separate key available by request to the site staff,which was changed to Radar key locked doors some years ago ,after "complaints"? from members who thought it an embarisment? having to request,a disabled facility key
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My wife has a blue badge and a radar key but prefers, when possible, to use the adapted shower cubicle rather than the disabled facility. While restrictions are in force ( four in the block) then she uses her radar key. On one site we were advised that we should both use the key to reduce household mixing, and to relieve pressure on the main facilties. I must admit to feeling awkward when I did so.
Hopefully, these days will pass soon and hooks, masks and rubber bands in nappysan will be history
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I don’t have a Blue Badge which quashes some people's arguments (not yours CnC) that Radar keys should only be issued to BB holders. I'm merely pre-empting someone making that point here.
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I applauded those posters stating disabilities are not always visible. Sadly, they seem to be disappearing.
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My OH has a radar key, but no blue badge.
Definite example of an invisible disability. I have had issues with medical staff who refuse to acknowledge he needs assistance. If they discriminate doesn't bode well for the rest of the population.
Stay strong and ignore the 'tutters'
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I am also a legit holder of a blue badge and radar key but need help showering so OH and I go in together - this of course takes time. I hate to think I'm holding people up who also need the facility but I cannot think of any way round this if anyone can buy a radar key. I do not feel like a second class citizen but I can see how others would when confronted with those who have no regard for others when unnecessarily using disabled facilities or think they can judge who is or is not disabled.
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Radar Keys can be bought off Ebay.
I’m registered disabled, BB and all that, but I have no issue with older people getting a key and using disabled facilities and toilets. But I’m finding disabled facilities are now increasingly seen as ‘family rooms’ by the I’m entitled brigade, many of whome seem to delight in leaving them in a state.
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David
It would probably go the way of many other petitions? But in reality how on earth do you legislate for who should use such facilities. The BB scheme would not be a good starting point as clearly many people on here have said they have a genuine need for such facilities but don't qualify for, or don't have a BB. If you are then going down the route of individual conditions some will be excluded so in my view best to leave things as they are so that no one is excluded. The State has a poor record when it comes to assessing people with disabilities so it could be a situation that causes even more stress?
I am not sure one example of misuse of disabled facilities on a Club site should be held up as an indicator of an ongoing major problem. As some have explained in this thread using the disabled facilities can be slow going especially if you are assisting a disabled partner. In no way do I condone the misuse as witnessed by the OP they could have been equally delayed had the facilities been in use by someone entitled to use them?
Perhaps there should be a survey by the Club to establish whether they provide enough such facilities on sites. Maybe something that could be asked at the Club Council?
David
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Simply, the Club don’t provide enough fully adapted loo and showering facilities, or even partially adapted facilities for a growing ageing and getting frailer Membership. Not totally the Club’s fault, as many Sites are leased, and many more have been around 40 plus years or more without huge investment in adapted facilities. Covid has made it worse of course, with restricted general facility usage.
Speaking generally, things are a bit better in this country, but still a very long way to go.
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Well put M1👍🏻, people can be very short sighted🙁
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I’m specifically pointing the finger at younger families with kids who’ve decided they want a ‘family’ room. The ones who leave dirty nappies in the disabled toilets and the floor flooded.
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Cheers for that, but I’ve had replacement the knees and hips for over 30 years since my early 30’s, but I don’t really need advice and guidance about young people and non visible disabilities.
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Short of swipe cards provided by the Club with proof of higher rate mobility and/or a care component, misuse is pretty much going to be impossible to stop.
See councils that now require BB holders to apply with DLA entitlement documentation for a free annual parking entitlement linked to a specific number plate thanks to the wide scale misuse of blue badges.0 -
No, Harry, it is not necessary to be entitled to the benefits you list in order to be entitled to a Radar key or access to CAMC disabled facilities. Also, the club has no right to enquire into personal circumstances or request proof of any kind - privacy of information.
What councils might do is not really relevant in the context of CAMC facilities as the two don’t correlate.
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The problem you have HTH is this-it wasn’t a post to you or about you. It was M1’s point about the young can be disabled too. They should really be feeling cheated in the big scheme of things but the ones I have met just get on with it👍🏻. That is what my post was about.
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Thanks. It’s a sad state of affairs when those who need the facilities are prevented from using them by the thoughtless actions of others.
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I because 100% disable 36 years ago aged 26, never felt cheated, but I do get pretty annoyed at the now widespread abuse of disabled facilities by predominantly younger people.
it’s not ‘hidden disabilities’, it’s entitled arrogance, yes I’m looking families using BB spaces as ‘Mother and toddler’ spaces, when the ‘toddlers’ are fully able bodied teenagers, and the increasing misuse of disabled toilets by eBay radar key holders as nappy changing rooms.
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You didn’t need to carry this on with a further explanation. I got your thinking back aways. My post was positive to someone else not you, you’ve now posted to me with 2 posts I didn’t want nor am I interested in🤷🏻♂️
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