Radar_keyBlue Badge Company is working alongside N & C Phlexicare to introduce a stylish new RADAR key into the United Kingdom.

The National Key Scheme was set up in 1981 by the charity Disability Rights UK (previously Royal Association for Disability Rights, or RADAR) and was developed in response to some disabled public toilets having to be locked to prevent damage and misuse. The scheme allows key holders to use these toilets independently, ensuring users have access to clean facilities when needed. Over 400 local authorities and thousands of businesses have joined the scheme since it began, with over 9,000 locked disabled toilets today in the UK operated by RADAR keys.

Piracy of these keys and the use of replica keys damaging the locks has required manufacturers to find a way to distinguish between the genuine keys and the fakes. In a bid to combat the issue, N&C Phlexicare has redesigned the key to feature a difficult to copy, blue heart top. The new design makes the key easier to turn for those with limited strength and dexterity due to their disability.

Bristol based Blue Badge Company is one of the first companies in the UK to stock the new Blue Heart Comfort Key, which is available to buy through its website with VAT exemption. The RADAR key with a Blue Badge Company key ring is also available for purchase in Lloyds Pharmacy or the Argos catalogue and website.

Ellen Green, Director of the Blue Badge Company commented: “RADAR keys are much needed for a wide range of people who may suffer from various problems and cannot always manage stairs or a queue. Not everyone who has a genuine need for a key has a visible disability. Although these keys are for disabled people, they can be purchased by non-disabled people like pregnant women or those who have incontinence problems. The new blue heart design has been really successful so far – we’ve sold over 5,000 in under six weeks!”

N&C Phlexicare are the inventors and official manufacturers of the RADAR national key scheme lock and key, having worked alongside Disability Rights UK nearly 40 years ago.

“We wanted to launch a new key that incorporated a more ergonomic and aesthetic design that would be more suited to our users, whilst creating a blue heart design that helps new key users better identify the official RADAR key against fake alternatives that can be found circulating in the market. We are delighted to be working with Blue Badge Company to raise the profile of the scheme, and in doing so helping more people to obtain the keys they need to live more independently and with dignity” said Bhrugesha Panchal, Group Marketing Executive, N&C Phlexicare

For more information on N&C Phlexicare, visit the website HERE

For more information on the Blue Badge Company, visit the website HERE

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