Here at UVM, I think it’s safe to say that we represent a school of friendly, humble and diverse students. I asked some students around campus for their opinions on whether or not using a “handicapped” item when you are not handicapped is morally wrong. Senior Max Dansky said he thought there was a clear difference between certain acceptable handicapped items you can use and those you can’t. “We need to do away with the idea that handicapped on the bathroom door is analogous to handicapped on a parking space. It would take a whole other kind of asshole to use the bathroom when handicapped people are waiting, because they can’t use other options that you could,” he said. “But use the god damn thing if you need to, just be sure you’re not cutting someone off who has no other options,” he said. But let’s be honest, sometimes it’s hard to follow every unspoken rule of social conduct that’s expected of us…especially when nobody is looking. Junior Sarah Richardson, a good friend of mine, had an interesting story about this article’s topic. “I was in Macy’s summer shopping with my mom and when I went into the fitting rooms the only one available was the handicapped one,” she said. “So I went in there and when I came out to show my mom what I tried on there was a woman in a wheel chair waiting to use the room and she was upset that I was in there. So, if you can, avoid using the handicapped restrooms, fitting rooms, etc. They’re labeled for a reason, and people should be considerate and respectful of that,” she said. “Also typically there are more rooms for those who are non-handicapped, so people should leave the minimal rooms that are labeled handicapped to be used by those who are handicapped,” she said. “It’s chill to sit there but if someone in a wheelchair gets on, you better move and if you have any trash, take it with you,” junior Cameron Sweeney said. He thought that there was a difference between handicapped items as well, but using a handicapped parking spot is always a “no no.” Senior Zeke Maxwell seemed to not have a problem as long as you use your head. “As long as you’re courteous, clean up after yourself and don’t inconvenience someone who really needs it. Same as sitting in the handicapped reserved seats at the front of the bus,” he said.
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Handicapped bathroom use and morals
April 22, 2014
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