<p>If it’s not clean, clean it. If it’s leaky or molding, write up a maintenance request. My D had suite her freshman year that was handicapped accessible and had extra large shower, etc. She and 3 suitemates handled it fine. The only annoyance was that the room doors automatically locked but not bad to have doors locked at all times in dorm.</p>
<p>As someone who has requested a change in rooms from a handicapped one, I get it. The low sinks, high toilets, lack of tub etc are discomforting. It can make life more difficult. So yes, I would ask for a change but you may have to wait since they are full. If it’s a total mess cleanliness-wise take some pix and tell them you want it cleaned and things fixed
.
That being said–you may get used to it–a bit more space might be a good plus… And the BRs in Europe often have the set up you describe with the absence of a shower stall etc. Does the bigger bath take space out of the main studio space or is the whole place a bit bigger for wheel chair access?</p>
<p>I am taking D2 to London for her study abroad next week. She has a single, without a private bathroom, at a residential college. I hope her room is nice. I think she is happy to have a single room with a sink.<br>
Handicapped rooms are generally bigger. D2 had a single handicapped room when she was a freshman. It was one of their biggest rooms.</p>
<p>As long as you can take a shower, brush your teeth in the sink, and do your business on the toilet, you likely would not get a chance to change rooms. However, this is a chance for you to borrow some cleaning gear from housekeeping (or buy a scrub brush, two sponges, some TPS or ammonia+baking soda+vinegar, and two plastic buckets [or washbins]) and go to town on a top to bottom cleaning of your bathroom. Ceiling, then walls (from bottom to top, in thirds), then appliances/fixtures, then floor. You might want a small fan you’ll be able to use after your showers to move the humid air out of the room to reduce mildew/mold.</p>
<p>Purchase CleanShower or the equivalent (spray that you use after every shower to cut down on soap or mold build up). Purchase a stool or shower chair to place in front of the sink if sitting makes it easier for you to brush your teeth. And then be glad that you do not HAVE to have a handicapped accessible bathroom - use the inconvenience as a gentle reminder to be grateful, rather than an occasion to grumble. Attitude is everything!</p>
<p>If it’s a continuous tile floor, you might want to buy a squeegee with a long handle so you can corall the water into the drain when you’re done showering. </p>
<p>Or, buy a teak or bamboo mat like this for a portion of your bathroom floor:
<a href=“http://www.worldmarket.com/product/bamboo-bath-mat.do?camp=ppc%3AGooglePLA%3Anone%3A96164084939custom4textiles&adpos=1o1&creative=50632195619&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CMGgjLza4cACFehaMgodcR8A7A”>http://www.worldmarket.com/product/bamboo-bath-mat.do?camp=ppc%3AGooglePLA%3Anone%3A96164084939custom4textiles&adpos=1o1&creative=50632195619&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CMGgjLza4cACFehaMgodcR8A7A</a></p>
<p>I understand the stress of moving so far away and the disappointment that things were not as they were advertised. There has been good advice to take pictures and go talk to them about the difference. But when you are settled in and rested and back in school it may not seem so bad. And you might be able to work with it if they cannot make a change for you. </p>
<p>I’m so distracted by my visceral response to the title of this thread that I can’t even respond helpfully.</p>
<p>"As someone who has requested a change in rooms from a handicapped one, I get it. The low sinks, high toilets, lack of tub etc are discomforting. It can make life more difficult. "</p>
<p>Not as difficult as, well, actually being disabled and <em>needing</em> these accommodations.</p>
<p>I’ve gotten handicapped rooms in hotels when the hotel is full. As long as no one who <em>needs</em> that type of room is being denied, this falls completely under “deal with it and move on.” </p>
<p>Find a different room next year.
You’ll adapt.</p>
<p>OP, there is nothing wrong with asking for a non-handicapped room. We travel a lot, and I always request that. </p>
<p>I have a close niece, permanently disabled and in a wheelchair, so I get it. But even her mom (my sister) dislikes those bathrooms. </p>
<p>If it were me, I would ask. </p>
<p>OP - It makes sense that some years handicapped rooms will be used by students not needing it. That ensures enough are available when needed. </p>
<p>DS and his roommate ended up with a handicapped room freshman year. We kidded that it was because they are both left handed. They quickly go used to the different shower. And they learned to bend their knees to see their reflection as needed. They appreciated the fact that the room was bigger and requested the same layout one floor up the next year. </p>
<p>The grubby bathroom is another matter. But it’s not unusual on college campuses, especially those where students do their own bathroom cleaning. </p>
<p>Since this is obviously bothering you there’s no harm in making a polite inquiry regarding a room switch. You should be happy with what you are paying for here. </p>
<p>It would seem pretty evident that there aren’t any other rooms left, because they’re going to “hold” the disabled rooms til the end. No harm in trying, but a lot of hassle to move over a minor thing. </p>
<p>I do not see why the wheelchair-accessible bathroom is of any bother to those not using wheelchairs. A building may have an excess of such to accommodate varying numbers of wheelchair users; if there are fewer wheelchair users, then some non-wheelchair-users will be using such suites.</p>
<p>However, it there are leaks, or it was not clean on move-in, then that can be an issue.</p>
<p>“I do not see why the wheelchair-accessible bathroom is of any bother to those not using wheelchairs”</p>
<p>Have you tried living in such apartment for a year? It might be one thing to toughen it out for a day or a week, but when you have to kneel every day to look in the mirror or hang your long dresses outside of the closet because there are no rails to accommodate said clothing, it can get really tiring. Especially given the fact that you cannot do any temporary remodel. I can see both sides here. </p>
<p>“I do not see why the wheelchair-accessible bathroom is of any bother to those not using wheelchairs.”</p>
<p>Shelf-space is usually removed to make room for the wheelchair, so oftentimes there is no place to set toiletries. </p>
<p>I am short and personally find the toilets uncomfortable. </p>
<p>I just don’t see why the OP cannot politely ask.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Perhaps because those bathrooms are built to accommodate people who are using them while sitting in chairs??</p>
<p>I agree that the choice of words in the title is unfortunate. But I see no problem in politely asking if another room is available. You might want to look at what they would switch you into first, though. </p>
<p>If nothing else is available, well, clean the bathroom, ask for them to fix the shower, and enjoy life abroad. :)</p>
<p>BTW, shower rooms of that sort are quite common in Europe.</p>