Aziel
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
‘If disabled people can’t use them, what’s the point of having disabled toilets.’
Aziel has cerebral palsy and uses a walking frame.
When he arrived in Australia 10 years ago, he was happy to discover his primary school was mostly accessible and he could get around independently.
But there was one big problem – the toilets.
Every toilet, including the accessible toilets, had swing push or pull doors. With his walking frame, Aziel couldn’t open the doors.
Aziel needed his teacher aide to help him go to the toilet.
In high school, he hated having to rely on his teacher aide and was often late back to class after lunch or recess.
He found it embarrassing and shameful.
Leaving school, Aziel found the situation was much worse.
He discovered there were very few public places he could go by himself. Aziel told the Royal Commission almost all public toilets at beaches, sporting ovals, shops, train stations and rest areas have doors that are inaccessible.
‘I’m just stuck at home. I can’t go anywhere at all,’ he said.
Even if someone is with him, many accessible toilets are locked.
Recently, Aziel discovered the bigger shopping centres have installed accessible toilets with push-button doors.
Aziel believes governments and councils should follow suit.
‘They won’t be upgraded until the government actually steps in.’
Aziel also wants governments to invest in new technology that allows people with disability to use a digital key to unlock doors of public toilets that need to be locked.
‘If the bathrooms are good I could go out more,’ he said.
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.