Disabled shopper decries difficulty with toilet access

A HANDICAPPED Amanzimtoti shopper who took umbrage at the unavailability of public toilet keys at a local mall, believes there needs to be a greater awareness about the availability and suitability of such facilities within public buildings

Brian Myburgh is not only a handicapped member of the community, but a regular shopper at Seadoone Mall.

He became frustrated at finding the mall’s handicapped toilets locked during his various visits over several weeks, with the key inaccessible to him.

“I shop at this mall four days of the week,” he said. “For weeks, the handicapped bathroom was locked whenever I have visited it. When I contacted management, I was told this was to ensure the restroom isn’t used by other members of the public as it would then have to be cleaned, causing extra work. I understand this but I cannot use another bathroom and am now unable to use the one set aside for myself and others in my situation.”

Due to Brian’s handicap, he is unable to climb the stairs to visit the management office to access the keys.

“More often than not, there is no guard at the toilets,” he said. “Even if there is, they are unable to produce the key. I cannot make the climb upstairs to speak to management, so can only complain telephonically.”

He engaged with the mall management on several occasions, and suggested a simple solution of the mall leaving the disabled toilet key with a nearby tenant store, which users can be advised about in a note on the bathroom door.

“The bathroom would then be able to be used by those who really do need it – the handicapped, and the key returned after use.”

However, Brian does feel strongly that public bathrooms, particularly for the disabled, need to remain unlocked.

“Its difficult enough trying to make my way to the bathroom,” he said. “They shouldn’t be locked at all.”

Seadoone Mall centre manager, Bev Koekemoer said the mall tries its best to accommodate all shoppers and apologises for any inconvenience.

She said Brian’s request that the toilet be left open with a lock on the inside was not feasible as “we found some shoppers do not respect the request on the door”. Shoppers who are not handicapped use the toilet, leaving the disabled person waiting to use the toilet.

The mall has since communicated with Brian to advise that they will leave the key at the closest tenant, Pick ‘n Pay Clothing, where the disabled can collect and return the key.

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