RADAR key

dreamdaisy
dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
edited 15. Oct 2011, 14:14 in Living with Arthritis archive
Well, it's taken a while but I am now the proud owner of one of the biggest keys I have ever possessed. I will get into the habit of carrying it around with me at all times, I think that's the best plan: it needs to be as regular a habit as taking the dullers etc so that I always have it there.

What are RADAR loos like? Are they generally OK? DD
Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben

Comments

  • Stu69
    Stu69 Member Posts: 202
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD. Right up my field of work, this! Most RADAR loos are DDA compliant or have better 'accessible' facilities if not full compliance.

    Oh, and I have a couple of spare keys if you lose yours! :)
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  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    They are many and varied. Usually in at least slightly better nick than the ordinary ones next to them. Big advantages - you have more space and even if, like me, you can't always lock them from within, at least you can station someone of either sex outside to ward off all-comers. There is no guarantee the loo will be high enough to sit on - or at least to get back up off - and, for some inexplicable reason, the flush is often tucked tightly into the most inaccessible corner. However, much better than the proverbial leg-crossing. Not so much 'Enjoy!' as 'Good Luck!'
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dachshund
    dachshund Member Posts: 9,108
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD
    how are you doing i hope everythings as well has can be.
    i have a key and what i like about the loo's are they have grab rails to help you up and down.
    take care.
    joan xx
    take care
    joan xx
  • traluvie
    traluvie Member Posts: 2,579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Whats this key then you are now a proud owner of?? intrigued..x
    th_tn_TisFORTIGGER.jpgxxTracyxx
  • tjt6768
    tjt6768 Member Posts: 12,170
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    glad you got your key hun. :grin:
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    Cleo - 1996 to 2011. RIP
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    RADAR loos are for the disabled traluvie, but you need to own a key so you can open the door to it/them. I have only ever seen one so far in my life, it was not far from the Brighton Pavillion. I was desperate after drinking coffee (goes straight thro me :oops: ) but did not have a key. I went into the ordinary ladies and the loos were the perfect height if you were aged seven. Hopeless for me - once down never to rise again! :lol: I asked about them on here and I think it was theresa4 who gave me a link to the RADAR site but I bought one today from my local Co-op disability shop. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • vonski
    vonski Member Posts: 1,292
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well done DD getting your key at last, yep the size of them is a :shock: I'm sure they used to be cleaner before everyone thought they could have one bought from eb I suppose. A lot of places do keep a close eye on them others don't, same as ones you don't need key for.
    Love
    Vonski x
  • traluvie
    traluvie Member Posts: 2,579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Oh i have never heard of them..Thats great though that you have one now, so you can use it at your own leisure..
    I have not seen one and i doubt there is one in my small town..If out i find i am able to use disabled toilets ok..Will be on the look out now..x
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  • julie47
    julie47 Member Posts: 6,041
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Glad that you have eventually got one dd, it is a useful thing to have.

    Lovely big key but it's amazing how it manages to get lost in the handbag :lol: even with a big orange keyring on it.

    Juliepf x
  • jillyb1
    jillyb1 Member Posts: 1,725
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Quick tip , mine has a long shoe lace tied to it which in turn is tied to the handle of whichever handbag I'm using ; you can then tuck it into the bag out of sight but it's easily to hand when you might need it . Radar loos are a real godsend to me as I need help in the loo and can take hubby or daughter or daughter in law in with me to assist getting in and out of wheelchair ; the other bonus is they're usually cleaner than loos that are open to all ! Jillyb
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Traluvie - RADAR has a website & you can get them from there.

    DD - There's also a book listing all the disabled loos in the UK, probably also available from the RADAR website though I was given mine by a happily recovered cancer patient.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • okidoki
    okidoki Member Posts: 29
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    if you go into any main Library in fife scotland, with your BLUE BADGE thay will sell you the key. the cost to me was £3.00 per key, i got two.

    a god send at times, even where thay take money for the loo if its got the radar logo you just use your key :grin:
  • lalla
    lalla Member Posts: 138
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Glad you have your Radar key, most if not all motorway stops have radar key loos, and they are as clean and dry as the person before left them!! ( may not be modern but rails and higher seat are so useful)Flush can be situated in odd places, one was a button on the floor to stand on!! took ages to locate it Happy Radar using Take care Linda
  • cebeem
    cebeem Bots Posts: 472
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    What is a RADAR kay?
  • cebeem
    cebeem Bots Posts: 472
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Key
  • roses1
    roses1 Member Posts: 1,850
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Cebeem

    It is a 'special' key that allows us 'special' people access to disabled toilets up and down the country, you can get them from your local council far cheaper than on the Radar site, (the Royal Association for Disability Rights) i think if you buy the key from them you get a book with all the places the toilets are situated aswell.

    Hope this helps :grin:

    Rose x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    That was a much neater reply, roses1, than the one I gave to traluvie. What a good summation. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I havent got one but have thought about it but think I have only ever seen one loo? Is there any point :?:
    I've been reading through the thread and trying to find out the adavantage of radar against an ordinary disabled loo :?: :?: Still not sure what it is :lol:
    I must make a point of looking out for them.....I could have passed loads but never noticed.

    Love
    Hileena
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Well done on getting the Radar key! I got mine and have used it at the LG Arena in Birmingham, very nice loo! And at Wembley Stadium again very nice clean loo! Having the key is a life line to using disabled loo's when your out and about. It's worth investing in a Radar key seeing as it is only £3.00! :smile:
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hileena111 wrote:
    I've been reading through the thread and trying to find out the adavantage of radar against an ordinary disabled loo :?

    No real advantages, Hileena, but, if it's a RADAR one & it's locked, you have the key. I was desperate in Cambridge a few months back and at last found a RADAR loo. Locked. I'd brought my key with me then left it in the car. The ordinary loos were down a flight of steps. I remained desperate. (Then sneaked into one of the colleges.)
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I think nyou have to be in the right place for it, hileena. The toilets at Brighton were an ordinary gents and ladies, but not a general disabled, just a RADAR one. As leg-plaiting is not really an option anymore I am pleased I now have one, just in case! :smile: Have I put it in my handbag yet? No. :oops: Efficiency is only occasionally my middle name. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks Sticky and Daisy,
    Inf is appreciated......I'll keep an eye open for them from now one
    Love
    Hileena
  • sbolam
    sbolam Member Posts: 374
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    was in the castle mall today in norwich..and all the cubicles in the gents were all taken and the troff is just horrid (nowhere to put my stick) i trotted off to the customers services and asked for a radar key..the lady saids thats 3 pounds please and name and address (not sure why they need my name and address tho).

    seems more and more loos are radar now.

    :grin:
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