As a teenager I had a few friends who attended Northwestern University's Summer Center for Talent Development. In that program they were able to explore accessibility for all people. They would go into bathrooms and see if the doors to the stalls were able to be opened if only part of the hand functioned. They got down to see how they would be able to manage life in a wheelchair. And they tried to feel and see the life through the eyes of people with a variety of disabilities to see how our hometown faired. Obviously I recently thought about this as a parent of a child that is not potty trained. Now absolutely not the same as a person living with a disability, but many of the same places that we need to go to assist our children are the handicapped accessible spaces.
Here is where we go from there. Since my friends went through these programs (I am hoping to get my friend a silent shout out I hope she knows I learned from her specifically), I have been more conscious of my choices while in a bathroom. I NEVER go right towards the handicapped stall. If the bathroom is packed I will use it but not my first choice. We went to a restaurant the other day, Miller's Ale House, a place where I have gone up to the management to tell them for a bar and a restaurant they are the most kid friendly space ever. They highly maintain their baby changing stations and even stock disposable liners so we do not have to put our kids naked tushies on the table. I followed in a group of other patrons and a woman went right for the handicapped accessible stall. As she turned around to see me with my kid she apologized and went to another stall, but muttered yeah it is where I go first. When twin #2 needed to go I was waiting for the stall and let me say talking loudly to that kiddo so that person in the stall would realize that we were waiting. To have an employee come out of the stall. I was perturbed to say the least. Hence I am writing an entry on it. We need to be conscious of all people. We need to be able to see the differences in people and where they may NEED to be instead of a bigger place for you to take care of your business. If it is not a packed bathroom, do not bee line for the ONLY accessible stall in the place. We have already seen many instagram posts of fathers with kids on their knees as to not let their kid have to lie down of the bathroom floor, do not make moms have to do the same. That's another article in its entirety but thank you California for enacting new legislation for men's bathrooms to have changing areas as well. Maybe a rant. Maybe we will be conscious. Accessibility for all people. Thank you that is my public service annoucement for the day lol!
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11/11/2022 07:27:30 am
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AuthorJenifer Roth is a full time super woman...in her mind! Well she is good at being ok at the all the roles she takes on. Enjoy the ride! Archives
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