Hi Sheila
My feeling is that RADAR keys totally go against accessible toilets in
that they if they are not accessible when you need to use the facility,
what's the point in having an accessible toilet. Most of my colleagues
and friends within the RNIB and in partnership organisations agree that
the principal of disability facilities being abused is correct but not
amended with the use of RADAR keys.
My feelings are that facilities staff may need to take more
responsibility for monitoring accessible facilities more closely to
ensure abuse of them do not take place, in the same way car parking
attendants need to do with disabled parking facilities. Not an ideal
solution, but better than having to wait for 30 mins (my experience) for
someone to find the person who has the RADAR key!!!
Kind Regards and happy hols
Liz Jackson
Acting Regional Manager
Royal National Institute of the Blind
London & South East Regional Services
0207 391 2138 / 07789812230
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion list for disabled students and their support staff.
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Sheila Watts
Sent: 22 July 2005 10:44
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: RADAR keys/to lock or not to lock..................
Just a quick question for anyone who is not on holiday. We have new
student halls being built with an accessible toilet on the ground floor
for any visitors/students etc who may be visiting the hall but not
living in as all the rooms/floors will be accessible. Estates want to
keep the door locked with a RADAR key as they feel being the only
public toilet it will be abused. 3 of the toilets also house a bath as
we wanted to keep a bath available for any student with a need to soak
in the bath. The worries are this room will be used for washing rugby
boots/housing bikes/ drunk students to be sick in as they come through
the entrance door etc etc
I can see the point in keeping it locked and not abused but cannot see
visitors having RADAR keys or are they more widely used than i thought
and if we used our own Hope keys how would visitors know where to get
one from for their visitors to use the toilet. Is it better to have an
accessible toilet used by everyone and for everything but always open or
one that is locked.
Would like comments please as off on leave for 3 weeks at lunch time
and cannot make a decision with Estates and builders are ready and
waiting with RADAR locks.
To lock or not to lock..................
Thanks
Sheila
Sheila Watts
Head of Support Service for students with disabilities
Liverpool Hope University College
Hope Park
Liverpool
L16 9JD
Tel/Minicom 0151-291-3064
e-mail [log in to unmask]
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