The National Key Scheme, sometimes known as the RADAR Scheme, was developed because some public toilets designed for disabled people had to be locked to prevent damage and misuse. This has been countered by their being locked separately from other toilets.
The NKS aims to provide disabled key holders with independent access to the toilets provided for them and increase the likelihood of the facilities being in a useable state. If accessible toilets for disabled people do have to be locked, providers are asked to join the NKS, which involves fitting standard locks to their toilets and making keys available to disabled people.
Over 400 local authorities in all parts of the country have now adopted the scheme. In addition to public conveniences, toilets for disabled people provided by a wide range of other public, voluntary and commercial organisations have been fitted with the NKS lock. So it can now be found in shopping centres, country parks, railway and bus stations, bars, motorway service areas and sports venues.
Around 7,000 toilets are now fitted with the lock and can be found from Shetland to Jersey and Derry to Dover.
Within the scheme RADAR:
supplies NKS keys to disabled people who cannot, or have difficulty, getting one locally
maintains a list of toilets fitted with the NKS lock
provides general information about the scheme to individuals and providers
RADAR does not advocate the general fitting of locks to all toilets for disabled people but does urge that the NKS is used where a lock is required.
Region List for Radar Key
Price: £4.75
A list is available of NKS toilets in your area in return for a donation of £4.75 with every purchase of the key, the regions available are:
Greater London
West Midlands
Highlands and Islands
South East England
North West England
North Wales
Southern England
Yorkshire
Mid and West Wales
West Country
North East England
South Wales
Devon and Cornwall
South East Scotland
Northern Ireland
Eastern England
South West Scotland
Channel Islands
East Midlands
East Scotland
Isle of Man
For more information please visit disabilityrightsuk.org/shop...