Have you heard of a “radar key”?

I've never seen a handicapped restroom w/locks or any sort of security. I will tell you that my experience is that when people see me on my scooter or using my walker they are very considerate and helpful. The walker makes handicapped restrooms necessary, because it's bulky.

Or what if you have a temporary need? For example, when I broke my back, the handle bars were extremely helpful, but once I healed, I don't really have a need for them. What about mothers who use them because the changing table is frequently in the handicapped stall?

I can see a lot of negatives with these radar keys - how would they be issued? Would doctors be able to hand them out, or would people have to go to the DMV with a prescription (like people who need the handicapped parking placards do)? Who would pay for the costs of the required bureaucracy? Would cards expire after a certain length of time? Would they need to be updated as more stalls were added/changed? What happens if the technology in the readers and the cards no longer syncs? (This happened in Florida with electronic toll pass systems in the past) Is there a universal standard between different areas, or does each jurisdiction have their own system? (Again, back to Florida, they have their own system that did not communicate with EZ Pass state systems)

Not in my book.

I would never park in a handicap place but I have and would have no problem using a handicapped stall if no one is waiting for it.

Seems to me adding a key is just creating another barrier for disabled people and is completely unnecessary.

I agree that if the big stall is open and no one who obviously needs it is waiting it is fair game. No one is spending much time in there so even if someone comes in while it is being used it shouldn't be a long wait.

www.which.co.uk/reviews/mobility-equipment/article/what-is-a-radar-key-aP9U67T7CMX1

here is a link explaining RADAR KEYS & the special toliets They give access to.
Tht toliets are not just bigger stalls They are specilly equipped bathrooms with adult changing facilities & they are kept locked for a reason to prevent misuse and vandelisim . There are 1000's of unlocked disabled toliets which are pretty basic larger stalls for greater access because it is law to have them alongside regular stalls . These toliets that require a RADAR key are kitted out with expensive equipment for people with severe disabilities which would be rended useless if Vandelised which in turn would prevent people with disabilites to go outside .


I Myself have a key due to a long term illness

similar I think but the family restrooms lack some of the specialised equipment that you might find in the RADAR key equipped toilets - hoists and changing spots for older children/adults who need to be horizontal for toileting care for example

Here's an example of a Changing Places accessible toilet - not all RADAR key toilets are like this but one like this gives people the opportunity to go out and about who wouldn't otherwise be able to.


www.changing-places.org/

I’m curious where you might mean. They are ‘a thing’ in the uk and I’m trying to remember about other countries I’ve been to…I don’t recall having problems finding public loos.

The only public bathrooms that are not free seem to be in Aitports & major Train stations here in the UK . The main issue is public toilets get vandlelized alot Here in the UK ( it's a national past time for yobs ) & it gets to a point where local councils/ Authorities rather than spend money on repairs they just remine closed .

The public facilites in My seaside town are locked at night to stop the homeless using them to sleep in do drugs in & vandalise them etc .

My daughter ordered the uk key before her trip, I’m curious myself as to how it works out for her. She did say paris was terrible for accessibility in restrooms.

In UK where I live it’s designed to give disabled people better access and prevent those who don’t need that access from abusing it- for example some of our local nature reserves have them on barriers across tracks stopping people driving cars/ motorcycles through the reserves, but disabled people with a radar key can unlock the barrier to drive closer to the hides etc.

They are a great tool for keeping disabled facilities free/clear for those that really need to use it.

Now that I understand what the radar key is used for and what it accesses I think it is wonderful and wish more places could and would create spaces like that.

Most now say “They died by suicide”