Toilet fail

[urocyon]

Over the weekend, I found out that our local Sainsbury's supermarket location does, indeed, have a disabled toilet. I have been going in there regularly for better than five years.


A completely unmarked door, with a "RADAR Key Scheme" lock: "RADAR would like all providers of accessible toilets to keep their toilets unlocked if at all possible." So that they're, erm, accessible?

Closeup of lock:


How did I find out that this was a disabled toilet at all? I saw a woman in a wheelchair going in there, after leaning over precariously and uncomfortably (complete with grimace) to try to get the door unlocked.

In effect, they may as well not have an "accessible" toilet at all. An unmarked door, so you have to ask if there is a toilet you can use--if you can ask. And beg a key off them to get into it, if you don't carry one around yourself. As most people needing the facilities don't, I would imagine. Additionally, I am a foreigner (American) in the UK, and had to look up what the "RADAR Key Scheme" is; the label did not scream "disabled toilet" to me. I had assumed it was a supply closet or something, which they locked up to keep customers out of the toilet paper and hand soap refills!

That day, I really would have liked to have had access to their "accessible" toilet. It can be really hard to get around their horribly cramped ladies' room, depending heavily on a walking stick with one seized-up hip (and really dodgy balance) as I was experiencing that day. And that one stays crowded, to the point that I saw the line stretching outside the door and just left yet again, in spite of my sudden urgent diabetic need for the facilities. I'm autistic with CAPD, and have enough trouble going up to the service desk and asking for a key that this wasn't really an option, even once I knew the facilities existed at all. (Not to mention the potential for "Why would you need it? You're not in a wheelchair!" type responses, which nobody needs.)

Comments

[roserodent]

In fairness, many people who have grown up disabled in the UK do carry Radar keys, and would recognise a Radar lock at 100 paces so know it was an accessible bathroom. But you're right, they can't say that is universal as visitors, newly disabled people, those with poor distance vision, etc. would never know that this is a toilet.

If a toilet has to be locked I much prefer it to be locked with this universal key, as I have one of my own and can open all of these doors without going to ask at a counter for a key. The panacea is that doors do not need to be locked because alternative facilities are adequate and there is no desire for people to use it as a brothel/bedroom/drug-taking space.

Sadly for that reason many places feel they need to lock their toilets, and I'd rather it had a Radar lock on it than it had the door locked for hours then opened onto a couple who have left old condoms in there.

[amadi]

The key system is admirable, but the lack of signage is inexcusable.

[urocyon]

*nods* I figured this would be much more recognizable to disabled people who had grown up in the UK. I do wonder about people with later acquired disabilities, though, especially ones who aren't using super-obvious mobility aids such as wheelchairs. *scratches head* The info might be easy to miss, if you don't know at least one disabled person using the RADAR scheme.

If a toilet has to be locked I much prefer it to be locked with this universal key, as I have one of my own and can open all of these doors without going to ask at a counter for a key.

If we weren't moving to the US once my husband's visa is sorted out, I would definitely get a RADAR key; I'm still considering it, since that'll be months at the least. It does sound preferable to other locking approaches. Honestly, in this case, I suspect they installed the lock because the ladies' room is so overwhelmed, rather than because of anything else people have been getting up to in there. It's frustrating that people will behave that disrespectfully.

I forgot to add that the baby-changing room next door to this one is clearly marked. :-|

[codeman38]

At least they allow you to order a key online so as not to have to deal with a phone call or deciphering what people are saying face-to-face, which really surprises me. If only more disability agencies could grasp that the phone isn't an option for everyone!

[codeman38]

But you're right, they can't say that is universal as visitors, newly disabled people, those with poor distance vision, etc. would never know that this is a toilet.

That's what gets me. Although I'm a typically-clueless Yank, I'd heard about the RADAR keys via international disability-related forums online. And yet, I'm not sure I could've identified that as such from 100 paces away; at least in the wide-angle shot, it looks... not unlike any other lock, really. I mean, at least they could make a sign that's viewable at a distance for those with poorer than 20/20 vision?

[pauamma]

Where's the file cabinet and "Beware the leopard" sign? If it doesn't have those, it can't be truly hidden. :-)

[exor674]

I still want to know how one is expected to OPEN that door if they have the key?

Unless the key activates a mechanism, it doesn't seem to have any kind of knob or handle or anything, and looks like it opens out?

And pulling with the key can't be too good on the key OR the lock....

[roserodent]

The Radar key is GIANT! It has a huge turning knob on the top of it, so you do generally just use the key to pull the door. Even more special are those which have no pull handle inside the door, which are becoming ever more common. How exactly am I meant to close a door that opens outwards with nothing but smooth laminate to pull against? In my manual chair I can sometimes pull on the tiny wee locks, but in the electric... well, let's say I have pull the locks off a few toilets and snapped the hinges on another.

[lisy_babe]

There's no excuse for the lack of signage.

But I love RADAR key locked toilets. I can't squat over a filthy seat like most women, my only option is to sit on it. RADAR locked loos have a much higher standard of cleanliness. Not to mention that they're more often available when you need them unlike unlocked disabled loos which are constantly abused by people who don't need them, they'd just rather use them.

If you've been shopping regularly in that store for 5 years you must've been living here for at least that time. A RADAR key is probably worth investing in. If I was simply visiting the UK for a week I know I'd certainly pick one up. I went to the US for a week last month so bought a $15 disposable cell to use out there so I'd definitely spend less than a fiver on a RADAR key just for one week's usage.

As another commenter said, you can order them online so you don't need to talk to anyone.