Posted By LTN Does anyone have instructions displayed in their disabled toilets? Particularly for the proper use of hand rails. If so and you can share that information it would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Posted By Lynne Ratcliffe Thank you Mike, My first thought yesterday was it is only my legs that are immobile and not my brain! But it did make me sort of chuckle in a 'has the world finally gone mad' sort of way. I have never seen instructions on how to use hand rails and indeed such instructions would not be practical as all of us have very different needs and requirements.

Posted By Chris Packham Have you heard about the NHS Trust in Scotland that has issued a four page leaflet on using the toilet. It is called: "Good Defecation Dynamics"! Apparently it contains photographs to support the tips and contains advice such as where to place your feet and: "Don't forget to breath".

Posted By Tony Bish Agree that without thoughful wording some signage could cause offence -however I don't think any offence is taken over signs on the alert alarm pull cord in disable toilets ? As not every user may understand how to use the handrails a basic safety notice on the correct use could only be of help. By using handrail symbols and a red cross / green tick to show correct use,potentially offensive wording would not be needed.

Posted By Merv Newman Lillian Sympathies. and my point exactly. Depending on circumstances carers and handicapped sometimes need help and instructions. I believe that handicapped people should not be too critical of those who are offering help. Even if you, specifically, do not need or require that help. Think of your comrades who may need instructions. The times I have had to pull her knickers down ! But she always insists that I pull them back up again. Which can be quite tricky. Hey ho ! Merv. off to the children's song recital. Hey ho !

Posted By Andy JC Additional information is availible from the following sites, all of which have links to many other useful ones. Centre for Accessible Environments www.cae.org.uk http://www.ricability.org.uk/ http://www.drc-gb.org/ http://www.officefordisability.gov.uk/ http://www.mdpag.org.uk/ The basic regulations can be found at http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1130883 which is Part M of the Building Regs. These refer you to the invaluable document BS8300 which would probably have helped answer your orginal question. Don't forget you should have a building access assessment by now if it public building or has many visitors to help ensure you comply with the Disablity Discrimination Act. Part of the assessment should also ensure that you have adequate systems in place for emergencies. If you have staff with a signifcant disablity, it would be adviseable to have a Personal Emergency Egress Plan (PEEP) produced and agreed by all. If anyone would like a couple of very useful guides to providing an accessible building or a PEEP, please send me an email and I shall send you one. And no, I'm not touting for business! Have fun, Andy C

Posted By Philby' Pedant head on and getting in afore Heather does, the toilet is presumably not 'disabled'....otherwise it would have an 'out of order' sign on it...however, it is 'accessible' or forthe use by disabled persons....the terminology is contradictory of course, as persons with a disability are not out of order Merv, is handicapped the 'title' over there? That became deemed as derogatory here in PC World, Britain not the computer place... and signage might be appropriate for the younger generation, blind and partially sighted or me when I accidently pulled the alarm cord and was interupted by the building warden...VERY EMBARRASING! Anyway, there is some great advice from the MLA and English Hertitage on procedures, accessibility and signage...think its www.mla.net.uk Philby'

Posted By Merv Newman Yes, "Handicappé" is the correct term. "handicappée" if female. Workshops which employ such people are called "CHAT" -Centre pour les Handicappés Au Travail" Chat is also the word for cat. "Chatte" tends to be reserved for female pussy. See later rant about secretaries. Merv

Posted By Philby' Found it....go on the 12 guides you can download www.mla.gov.uk should have known really...its where the wife works! Philby