Accessibility Guide

A RADAR key is a large, easy-to-turn key that unlocks accessible public toilets fitted with a National Key Scheme lock. They are also called NKS keys or disabled toilet keys.

The National Key Scheme began in 1981, run by RADAR, which merged into Disability Rights UK in 2012. Disability Rights UK is still the steward of the scheme today, and the locks are made by Nicholls & Clarke, who guarantee the genuine key.

One key unlocks more than 9,000 accessible public toilets across the UK, in shopping centres, pubs, cafés, department stores, bus and train stations. It also opens Changing Places toilets, and some accessible gates in the countryside. Carrying one means you are not relying on finding a member of staff to unlock a toilet for you.

Anyone who needs to use an accessible toilet because of a disability or a health condition. There is no test, no assessment and no register, and you do not have to “look disabled” to need one.

That includes, among many others:

• Autistic children and adults, who may need a quiet, familiar toilet away from a busy public one.
• People with anxiety, ADHD, sensory processing differences or a learning disability.
• People with Crohn's, colitis, IBS, a stoma or a bladder or bowel condition.
• People with a heart condition, lung condition, diabetes or chronic pain.
• Anyone who needs the extra space, grab rails or privacy of an accessible toilet.

Disability Rights UK sells keys to people who need them because of a disability or health condition, and campaigns for people with non-visible conditions. VAT relief on the key is for individuals buying it for their own personal use — an organisation such as a care home must pay VAT.

Disability Rights UK sells the only genuine and official RADAR key. Because it is guaranteed by the makers of the locks themselves, it will not break or fail in the lock. They ask people not to buy cheap copies from other sellers, which cannot be guaranteed.

The key costs £5.00 VAT free for eligible individuals, or £6.00 with VAT, plus a £1.75 postage contribution per order. They aim to deliver within 10 working days.

Locally in Milton Keynes: MKCIL (Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated Living) sells RADAR keys for £3.50. You can contact or visit their office — call 01908 231344 or email info@mkcil.org.uk. Milton Keynes City Council also points to MKCIL for keys locally.

Not every accessible toilet needs a key. Many are open to everyone and are simply not fitted with a National Key Scheme lock, so you can use them without a key. A RADAR key is only needed where the door is locked with that scheme.

Where you do need one, the key opens the toilet independently — no waiting for a member of staff. To find accessible toilets before you go out:

• The Great British Public Toilet Map is a free map of public toilets across the UK, including toilets in shops, cafés and other venues that are open to the public.
• AccessAble publishes detailed access guides for individual venues, including centre:mk. These are written from an on-site survey.
• For a Changing Places toilet, use the official Changing Places map, which lists every registered facility in the UK.

A standard accessible toilet is usually a single room with a toilet, grab rails and enough space to get a wheelchair in. It is not designed for someone who needs to be changed lying down, or who needs a hoist to be transferred.

A Changing Places toilet is a much bigger room, built to a set standard. It has:

• A centrally placed, peninsular toilet with room either side for a wheelchair user, plus grab rails and drop-down support rails.
• At least 12 square metres of floor space, non-slip flooring, and room for the person and up to two carers.
• A height-adjustable, adult-sized changing bench.
• A ceiling track hoist, so nobody has to be lifted by hand.
• A washbasin with clear space underneath, a privacy screen and a large waste bin.

Some also have a shower. Changing Places toilets are for the quarter of a million people in the UK who cannot use a standard accessible toilet safely or with dignity. There are more than 2,600 registered across the country. Look out for the Changing Places symbol — a wheelchair user with a changing bench and hoist.

• Main toilets, disabled toilets, the Changing Places toilet and the baby and toddler area are all in the Guest Services Lounge, near TK Maxx, with the entrance on Silbury Arcade.
• The Changing Places toilet has left and right transfer toilets, an adult changing table with an electric hoist and emergency alarms.
• Toilets are open to guests whenever the centre is open. You do not need to bring a RADAR key to use them — ask a member of the Guest Services team if you need help finding them.
• The centre is all on one level, with automated doors at wheelchair height, and 80 disabled parking bays on the ground floor of the multi-storey car park.
• Free mobility scooter and wheelchair hire is available from the Guest Services Lounge. Pre-booking is strongly recommended, and you will need photo ID and proof of address. Call 01908 398115.
• There is a Quiet Room at Guest Services, open to all faiths for prayer or simply a moment of calm, with a wash station next to it. Ask the Guest Services team to let you in.
• A free Sensory Room is also available, designed for one family or group at a time, with dimmable lights, floor mats, tactile toys and comfortable seating. Ask the Guest Services team — no need to book ahead.
• Sunflower lanyards are free to collect from the Guest Services Lounge, a hearing loop is available there, and ear defenders can be hired for anyone sensitive to noise.

To check anything before you travel, call Guest Services on 01908 398115 or email guest.services@thecentremk.com. centre:mk is open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, Saturday 9am to 7pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm and 9am to 6pm on bank holidays. The Guest Services desk is open Monday to Friday 9.30am to 8pm, Saturday 9.30am to 7pm and Sunday 11am to 4pm.