why gender neutral, barrier free bathrooms are awesome for everyone

It's pretty standard now for public washrooms to have a wheelchair accessible stall. This is a good step forward, but it's far from the best solution. Gender neutral, barrier free bathrooms are awesome for everyone. Here's why.

What is a gender neutral barrier free bathroom?
Good question. These bathrooms are single rooms, just like bathrooms in houses are. They are gender neutral, so anyone can use them. They have a sink that wheelchair users can use easily, a toilet with space beside and in front of it, and grab bars. Usually they will have a sign like this:

photo: Jeffrey Beall

Some also have other useful amenities, such as counter space, seating, or a change table.

Why are these better?

• Gender-neutrality: Gender neutral bathrooms are important for many different groups of people. Gender minorities have a washroom to use that a) doesn't force them to assign themselves a label that doesn't fit  and b) doesn't put them in emotional or physical danger due to people judging that they should not be in whichever gendered bathroom they are in. Gender neutral bathrooms are also helpful for parents and caregivers of young children of different genders who still need some assistance, as well as those with multiple children. Finally, people who require or prefer assistance in the bathroom can be accompanied by someone not of their gender (for example, a husband helping his elderly wife, or a male adult receiving support from a female assistant). And, of course, some of these people may benefit from gender-neutral bathrooms for several of these reasons at once.

• Privacy: Because these bathrooms are usually their own room, they give a lot more privacy than a typical public bathroom stall. People receiving support can do so in a matter that doesn't draw a lot of attention, and people who have alternative hygienic needs can attend to them without their privacy being violated. Parents can fit in the room with their children, as opposed to some public washrooms where in order to assist their child, the stall door must remain open. Children with disabilities can have help in the bathroom or have their diaper changed without other people commenting, or their privacy being violated.

• Self-containment: Because the sink and toilet are in the same room, parents with children can keep them all together until they are completely finished in the bathroom. They don't have to leave children unattended. As well, people can use the sink at any point. This can be useful in a variety of situations: a child who is afraid of the sound of the toilet can wash their hands and then plug their ears while the toilet flushes, or someone can wash their hands first without having to touch a door handle.

• Availability: Many nondisabled people use the wheelchair accessible stall in a public bathroom if it is available, without a second thought. (Is this true in your experience? Think about it!) This means that sometimes people who need the accessible stall have to wait, even though there are multiple non-accessible stalls available. This is less likely to happen if there are gender neutral, barrier free bathrooms right next to typical public washrooms, and so they will be more likely to be available to those who need them.

• Accessibility: Generally, there is more space in these bathrooms. This allows room to maneuver wheelchairs of various sizes, walkers, scooters, and strollers- many of these won't fit in a typical "accessible" bathroom stall! It also allows for enough space to be left beside and in front of the toilet, and ensures that there is an accessible sink. Since grab bars will likely be attached to the wall instead of the side of a stall, they can be more sturdy.

• Multi-use: As you can see, there are lots of different ways many people can benefit from gender neutral barrier free bathrooms. Everyone can benefit from these bathrooms in certain situations- for example, changing clothing without risking dropping it in the toilet, or washing oneself while traveling or when you don't have access to other facilities. People with diabetes can test their blood sugar and give themselves insulin in privacy.

How many gender-neutral, barrier-free bathrooms have you come across?