The case in summary New signs should make it clear that people with invisible disabilities also need to use disabled toilets. The signs with an illustration of a person in a wheelchair are replaced with an illustration that also includes a man and a woman and the text “Not all disabilities are visible”. Many large players across Norway have already replaced the old signs, and several have announced that they will do so shortly. The Gastrointestinal Association is in the breach for the sign change. But more than those who suffer from stomach and intestinal diseases fall into the “invisible disabled” category, such as people with diabetes, bladder patients, ME sufferers and those with fatigue after cancer. The summary is made by an AI service from OpenAi. The content is quality assured by news’s journalists before publication. May Lene Bentsen (30) appears to be healthy. With both arms, legs and eyes intact, it is not possible to see that she has functional impairments. It often leads to both ugly looks and comments when she has to use the handicap chair. – Coming out and feeling that you are being judged because you are not visibly ill is a pretty awkward situation. She has irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). – I struggle a lot with suddenly having to go to the bathroom. Then there is nothing that can stop it. Then I have to run. The everyday life of May Lene Bentsen (30) is characterized by a lot of nausea, diarrhoea, very painful stomach and exhaustion. Photo: May Lene Bentsen Even when she has not been unlucky, she needs extra space to change clothes and wash herself properly. – Having to explain why I need to use the toilet is terribly cumbersome when you are in a hurry. Invisibly sick In many places, she will no longer need to answer calls. The sign on the disabled toilets has been changed. From having a picture of a person in a wheelchair, the sign now includes a man and a woman and the text “not all disabilities are visible”. Sørlandssenteret started putting up new signs in May. Photo: Cecilie Abrahamsen Sebdal / Sørlandssenteret In a number of public places across the country, the old signs have just been removed in favor of these. Other players have announced that they will switch soon. Players who have switched to the new handicap sign Dyreparken in Kristiansand Tusenfryd Hunderfossen Shopping center chain Alti Sørlandssenteret in Kristiansand Strømmen large center Skien fritidspark Triaden center at Lørenskog CC Drammen Amfrisentrene in Årnes, in Vormsund, in Kirkenes and in Voss Åsane shopping center in Bergen Several players will switch to new signs in the future, here are some of them: Avinor with its 43 Amfi Orkanger airport OTI Orkanger City Nord in Bodø Gulskogen center in Drammen Trekanten center in Asker Bærum cultural center Don’t dare use the disabled toilet According to a British survey, 9 out of 10 will give advice to an apparently healthy person using the disabled toilet. – Our members say that they constantly experience everything from glances and small comments to shouting and direct confrontations. “You must not use this toilet.” They probably don’t want to expose anyone to discrimination, but do so in good faith, says Mailiz de Ramecourt, communications advisor at the Gastrointestinal Association. The Gastrointestinal Association is in the breach for the sign change. Mailiz de Ramecourt leads the campaign “Not all disabilities are visible”. Photo: Hege Williams / Mage-tarmforbundet The survey also shows that 7 out of 10 people with reduced functioning have had accidents and unpleasant symptoms because they have been stopped from using a disabled toilet. – Most of our members do not dare to use the disabled toilet. Many people with stomach and intestinal disorders need to go in two NOW, not in five minutes. Then these cards from the Gastrointestinal Association can be of help. Photo: Hege Williams / Mage-tarmforbundet Needs more than a stall The Mage-tarmforbundet is in the breach for the sign change. Mailiz de Ramecourt leads the campaign. She is happy that many major players are involved, and believes that changing signs will also change attitudes. – We must remove shame and stigma around the “embarrassing” organs. Many people with stomach and intestinal disease isolate themselves because they do not dare to go to public places. You may have thought to yourself: For example, you have a stoma, you need a wash, a place to throw equipment – you need more than a stall, says the project manager. Washing in the same room as the toilet is often absolutely necessary for those with a stoma, i.e. an extended bowel in a bag on the stomach. Photo: Hege Williams / Mage-tarmforbundet Norway is one of the countries in the world with the highest incidence of stomach and intestinal diseases. About one in five Norwegians suffer. In addition to being dependent on more than one stall, many of these patients must also have quick access to a toilet. – They have to go to the bathroom now, not in five minutes. Then it’s quite awkward to be approached because you are not disabled, says de Ramecourt. Petra (27) has previously told news that frequent visits to the toilet are the worst part of having chronic inflammation of the bowel. New research gives her hope: Less stigma, more queuing? Although it is the Gastrointestinal Association that has taken the lead in changing the signs for disabled toilets, the project manager emphasizes that several patient groups fall into the category of “invisible disabled”. – People with endometriosis, diabetes, bladder patients, ME sufferers and those with fatigue after cancer are examples of groups that often need a disabled toilet, she says. – Can’t it now be the case that even more people start using the disabled toilet, and that there will therefore be more queues there? – We see that people generally have great respect for leaving the HC toilets reserved for those who need them. The challenge has instead gone in the opposite direction, in that those who need the toilet and walk on two legs are harassed – in the best sense – from using it. She says it is valuable for major players to change signs. – Now this is starting to roll on its own. Sørlandssenteret is Norway’s largest shopping center in terms of area, and had almost 5.5 million visitors last year. Center manager Liv Andersen says it is important for them to be inclusive. – We think it is a good initiative, and we have received several good comments on the new signs. The animal park in Kristiansand is Norway’s largest family attraction with around one million visitors a year. They replaced the signs at the start of the summer. – We want everyone to feel seen and welcome. If this makes those who do not have visible disabilities feel that the park is for them, it is an important contribution, says Marketing and Communications Director, Anniken Bjørstad Schjøtt. Anette had an unpleasant bathroom experience in Dyreparken: I think the signs will help – I think it will help all those who need an adapted toilet, but who do not necessarily use a wheelchair or have a visible disorder, says May Lene Bentsen. She has learned to ignore the comments and stares she might get. But at the same time, she has an appeal to others: – If you need it, you should be allowed to use the toilet without feeling judged. Hi! So glad you’ve read this far! Do you have input on the case you have read, or other topics you think we should look into more closely? Send us an e-mail! In the past, we have written about, among other things: We are also behind the Contraception Guide for news. We would like to hear from you! Published 03.08.2024, at 07.47
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The disabled signs for toilets are being replaced. May Lene Bentsen thinks it’s time – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
