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The following was written as an Op-Ed advocate for pending legislation in New Jersey in February 2022. Hope you enjoy and have a good day
My name is Kevin G. Nuñez I am a thirty-four-year-old Puerto Rican male living with Cerebral Palsy. Ensuring and protecting the rights of people with disabilities is what I have been doing my entire life. I immigrated with my family to New Jersey at the age of four. Due to the nature of my disability, I use a wheelchair as my primary tool to live my life. I have my daily struggles to overcome and try to live my life the best way I can. I need to use this platform to bring attention to an issue that does not enter the public consciousness when it comes to the disability population.
Like most individuals with disabilities, I use the assistance of a Direct Support Professional (DSP) with my personal needs daily. When I want to visit my family, I must take a three-hour and twenty-five-minute flight. Despite what Hollywood movies might have you think, the bathroom on the plane is not large enough to fit two people, or even one person using a wheelchair. After I use the restroom at the airport, I am the first person to board the plane. I do not move for the duration of the flight. Finally, I am the very last person to get off the plane. I can guarantee you it is not comfortable at all. By the time everyone gathers their belongings and gets off the plane another thirty-five to forty-five minutes has gone by.
At this point, Mother Nature has my full attention. When I get to the next accessible bathroom, there is always someone in the handicap stall; peacefully stretching their legs in a space they don’t need to be using because they don’t have a disability. This leaves me with two options. The first is to wait until they’re done and at best get a halfhearted apology. My second choice, I am forced to relieve myself in the corner of the restroom by exposing myself and urinating into a plastic urinal bottle. Females with disabilities do not have the same luxury.
Thanks to Assemblywoman Carol Murphy a Bill was introduced that requires business owners to put up signs on these specific bathroom stalls to discourage people from using them inappropriately. Provided there is more than one stall. The Accessible Restrooms Sign Bill (A467/S1239) Needs to be made a priority, This is a human rights issue! It has gained bipartisan support. We are still awaiting committee review in the New Jersey state legislature. This legislation secures dignity and respect in this private moment that all humans should have.
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