Radar key for disabled toilets

[Marnie63]

This is one item I have not yet addressed in relation to mum. Is it worth getting one? I'm not really sure what the 'rules' are about which disabled toilets I might find locked - I assume they would all be public toilets?

Any ideas on who I approach to get one? Thanks.

 

[Izzy]

Absolutely. The disabled access key was invaluable both when I had my mum with vascular dementia and my husband with alzheimers. It's a large key and it opens any disabled access toilet in the uk which uses the radar lock. I found that this was more or less any toilet - motorway service stations, shops, shopping centres etc etc etc.

I bought a few from Amazon so that my brother etc could have one when taking mum or Bill out. I found later that I could have got one free from our council by showing proof that Bill got attendance allowance.

I can't emphasise enough how useful it is. There are no rules if you have the key you can open the toilet. I never found anyone abusing the system by having a key and no disability.

Here are the keys on Amazon.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8...vtargid=kwd-3353514757&ref=pd_sl_4x28vhiqpg_e

This link says a little about the scheme -

https://www.informationnow.org.uk/article/accessible-and-public-toilets/

 

[Beate]

They are dirt cheap, Marnie, and they open every disabled toilet in the land. Amazon sells them for under two quid, with free delivery. Can't be bad.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-New-NK...UTF8&qid=1496593745&sr=8-1&keywords=Radar+key

 

[nae sporran]

Can't comment on Hampshire, but there are public toilets in Clevedon where you need a key to enter the disabled access toilet. I got a radar key from a local shop supplying wheelchairs and such like. Hope that helps.

 

[carpe diem]

Hi I bought mine on eBay for about £2.its really useful as the disabled toilets have grab rails. There is a list of disabled toilets online I think.

 

[Marnie63]

Many thanks all. Just ordered one. One of the selling points in the description was that the key is 'extremely tactile'!

 

[Slugsta]

Many thanks all. Just ordered one. One of the selling points in the description was that the key is 'extremely tactile'!

I think this is their way of saying 'big'!

 

[canary]

Another good reason to get the key is that all the disabled toilets that I have used with mum are big enough for 2 people so its good if your PWD needs help.

 

[Hippichic]

Really useful post, I just ordered one.
Thanks to all for the information.

 

[Izzy]

Another good reason to get the key is that all the disabled toilets that I have used with mum are big enough for 2 people so its good if your PWD needs help.

Big enough for 2 people and a wheelchair if necessary!

 

[Marnie63]

I've been using disabled toilets with mum for a few years now (since we bought her a rollator, but pre dementia). It's the size that makes the difference in being able to assist the PWD. I know they are designed to accommodate wheelchairs, but the size and equipment is helpful for so many others. I definitely could not get into a small cubicle with mum to help her out these days! I have actually never come across a disabled toilet which has been locked before (hence my original question about the value of obtaining one of these keys), but I guess we tend to frequent garden centre and large store toilets more than 'public toilets' as such. I look forward to testing the system when we are next out and about, but, as I say, I have yet to find a locked loo!

 

[Izzy]

One that used to amaze me was the loo in our local Debenhams store. It's locked and if you don't have a radar key you have to go and find a shop assistant who will get you the key. No dignity there. I think that's the one that prompted me to get the radar key.

Would you believe the loo in our local continence clinic is locked - but not with a radar key? You have to go to the reception at the other end if the corridor tonget the key. I wrote cand complained about this but nothing changed.

 

[nellbelles]

I had an ordinary size key cut, this was then always on my key ring!