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Some people use an accessible restroom even if they don’t have a disability—especially when they really need to go or the line for the restroom is very long. Find out in this article whether you have the right to do so.
Using accessible restrooms in restaurants, hotels, and businesses—the exceptions
In principle, an accessible restroom should be reserved for the group of people who rely on it.
- An accessible restroom is barrier-free and large enough to accommodate wheelchair users.
- In restaurants, barrier-free hotels, and businesses, it is up to the operator or owner to decide whether to make the accessible restroom available to people without disabilities as well.
- These restrooms are often used for a variety of purposes. This means, for example, that mothers are allowed to change their children’s diapers in these restrooms because there is simply more space to do so.
- Even if the owner does not prohibit it, the use of an accessible restroom by people without disabilities should be the absolute exception.
Public accessible restrooms are usually locked—here’s why
Public accessible restrooms are generally not freely accessible anyway.
- For hygiene reasons and to protect the often expensive equipment in these accessible restrooms, they are locked.
- To use them, you need what’s called a “Euro key.” The Euro cylinders and their corresponding Euro keys are standardized throughout Europe.
- You can apply for one at the Club for People with Disabilities and Their Friends for a fee of 23 euros. To receive the Euro key, you must have a severe disability ID card.
- In addition to wheelchair users, people with visual impairments and severe mobility impairments are also eligible. People with multiple sclerosis or chronic intestinal diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are also eligible for the Euro Key.
- Ostomates—that is, people with an artificial intestinal outlet—can also receive a Euro Key upon request.
