The Macmillan toilet key (often a card with a key fob) is a free, discreet tool from Macmillan Cancer Support designed to help people with cancer-related bladder or bowel issues gain urgent access to toilets in public places like shops, cafes, and pubs. It acts as a polite explanation for immediate,, no-questions-asked access.
It explains that you have a medical condition and need urgent access to a toilet. Sometimes it is also called a bladder and bowel card or a 'no waiting' toilet card. You can order our Macmillan toilet card to carry and use when you are out in public. It also comes with a fob version that can be attached to a key ring.
Who is eligible for a RADAR Key? We only offer RADAR Keys to National Disability Card holders or National Carers Card holders. This safeguard ensures that only those genuinely requiring access to disabled toilets can use them, effectively preventing misuse and vandalism.
The National Key Scheme/ RADAR key was developed to prevent damage and misuse of accessible public toilet facilities in order to increase the amount of public toilets being available in a clean and functional state for those who need to use an accessible toilet.
You can get a key to unlock disabled public toilets, if you have a disability. Disabled toilet keys (sometimes called RADAR keys) can be bought online from Age UK – they cost under £2.50. Changing Places lists toilets for people who need extra space or equipment to use toilets safely.
You can get a RADAR key for disabled toilets for free or cheap, usually through your local council with proof of disability (like a Blue Badge or DLA/PIP letter) or from charities like Bladder & Bowel Community (free for members). While some official sources offer them free to eligible residents, others sell them, so checking with your local authority is the best first step for a free or low-cost option, or purchase from official vendors if needed.
Radar keys mean you don't have to ask, you can simply let yourself in. These keys don't just open standard “accessible” toilets though. Many of the UK's Changing Places toilets are only accessible with a radar key so it is well worth taking the time to get one to take with you when you are away from home.
You can also purchase RADAR keys through some chemists and online. For further information see our Accessible Toilets information guide or the Disability Rights UK website.
A business compelled to provide toilets, only has to for its customers. They're not breaking any laws by preventing use of their loo to non-customers, providing they do so consistently and without prejudice.
Why can't you use the same toilet as someone on chemo?
Chemo and its waste can harm or irritate skin, and may cause damage. Other people and pets could be exposed to chemo waste for a few days if they come into contact with any of your body fluids. If possible, have others use a separate toilet during this time.
If you're age 45 or older and at average risk of colon cancer — you have no colon cancer risk factors other than age — your doctor may recommend a colonoscopy every 10 years. If you have other risk factors, your doctor may recommend a screen sooner.
What is an Ambulant Disabled Toilet? An ambulant disabled toilet is a cubicle space designed for individuals with a disability that does not require the use of a wheelchair. They may have mobility, sensory, sight, cognitive, or functional impairments that can be temporary or permanent.
Yes, autism is considered a developmental disability from medical, legal, and social perspectives, affecting how people communicate, interact, and process sensory information, qualifying individuals for legal protections and support but with varying self-identification. While some view it as a medical condition to be treated (medical model), others see it as a difference where society creates barriers (social model), leading to diverse experiences and preferences on the term "disability".
Are Disabled Toilet Keys universal? Yes, RADAR keys are universal across the UK. They work in over 10,000 locked accessible toilets, often found in shopping centres, train stations, and other public places. These keys ensure that disabled toilets are kept clean, safe, and available for those who need them.
Wearing the sunflower lanyard is a great way of letting doctors know that you need extra support. And remember – it's not only for people with a learning disability. They're for anyone with a disability or health condition who needs a bit of extra help.
Are you allowed to use disabled toilets if you're not disabled?
First, nothing prevents non-disabled people from using an accessible toilet. The requirement is simply that accessible facilities must be available to avoid discrimination. However, many disabled toilets can only be opened with a Radar Key.
Is it illegal for a man to go into a women's toilet in the UK?
Despite what transphobic tabloids suggest, the facts are straightforward: There's no law preventing anyone—cis, trans, man, woman, nonbinary—from using public toilets based on gender.
Are teachers allowed to stop you from going to the toilet?
Unfortunately, there's no law stopping schools from locking toilets during lessons, but that doesn't mean they should do it! Banning toilet breaks shows a lack of understanding of pupils' health needs.
Is there a human right to be able to go to the toilet?
The right to sanitation is an element of "the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family" (Article 11 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights or ICESCR).
