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 This issue’s Champions
spotlight is on Cai Hui Yu. “As a disabled person, I personally feel the
predicament which many disabled faced whenever they need to go out from
their house. Toileting is indeed an issue of critical concern.
Most buildings would have ramps,
drop-off points, lifts and reserved car part lots for people with
disabilities. But even if the ramps are obstructed by inconsiderate
bicycle-users, the drop-off point is either inaccessible; is a locked
accessible entrance or a poorly managed platform lift. Friends &
strangers can still render assistance & overcome the obstacles. However,
toileting is a very personal and sensitive issue to many disabled people
regardless of their gender.Having a clean toilet not only enables us to
stay outdoors for long period without the fear of soiling ourselves but
also reduces the risk of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) & other
complications/ illnesses.
Being disabled, it is inevitable
for me to encounter countless unpleasant incidents using public
toilets, be it issues arising from the building management and their
staff as well as members of the public.
Here are just 2 of my many
personal encounters on toilet design and abuses:
Venue
- Parco Bugis handicapped toilet (near cinema premises)
This handicapped toilet looked like the cleaner’s "personal
home" with all her clothing, laundry & toiletries inside. I was
taken aback when I saw the state of the handicapped toilet. Her reply was
even more shocking as she unapologetically replied," Yah lah, this is
my room!" This "little room" was locked up most of the time,
but when I went to check other levels, the handicapped toilets were
available for usage. The sanitary condition of the toilet was appalling.
It’s terrible that the cleaners are still claiming toilets as their
personal room!
Venue - Jalan Besar Swimming Complex
Our Handicaps
Welfare Association (HWA), members have swimming sessions @jalan besar swimming complex every Saturday,
conducted by our HWA trainer Chris Kwan and other volunteers. Our members
often have to compete with the able-bodied on the use of the handicapped
bathroom-cum-toilet. This has been an ongoing issue at the complex as the
handicapped bathrooms are often being misused by parents & children
where parents assist their children to bathe after a swim. Ironically there
are other widely available children bathrooms and cubicles. Chris had
reported the issue to the swimming complex management but so far his
feedback has been ignored.
Many users simply don’t bother to clear the mess they leave on the
toilet seat. But they will clean up if they are using their own home
toilet.
Perhaps
an island-wide public education programme should be launched & promoted
actively to encourage more users to be considerate & take
responsibility in keeping Singapore public toilets CLEAN
& PLEASANT for everyone at all times. There should be a committee &
authorities to ensure that access features for people with disabilities are
not mismanaged by the building management and staff as well as members of
the public.
Just like the issues of
accessibility, it is always often the simplest things that people take for
granted which becomes the greatest hurdle for us as we integrate back into
society.”
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