Ideas Forum

Welcome to the Ideas Forum! This is a place where you can submit any idea for change about your university experience or vote and comment on existing ideas.

If you can get at least 25 other students to vote for your idea, the Union officers are then able to consider it. Don't stop at 25 though - the more votes and comments an idea gets, the more power it gives us to try to action it!

Once an Idea has reached at least 25 up-votes, it will be sent to Executive Committee and/or Student Summit which are meetings where Union staff and students discuss, vote on and potentially action your idea. So don't hold back, let us know what you want us to do! (You can even post anonymously if you prefer to)

The Ideas Forum is such a direct and effective way to get your voice heard and you can use it as many times as you like during your studies - we know that your needs and wants change year on year, so use the Ideas Forum to reflect the current issues you are facing and let us know what it is you care about.

Before you post please consider the following

  • Make sure your idea clearly states what you want to change and why – things like how it would be funded, who it would apply to – give as much detail as possible. If you don’t, we may have to delete your idea or it could be rejected by students for being too vague.
  • Check to see if the idea has already been passed under the ‘ view passed ideas’ tab – we might already be working on your idea!
  • Check to see if your idea has already been posted by someone else – if so, don’t post the idea again, but vote and comment on the existing idea
  • Check to see if your idea has been rejected and why under the ‘view rejected ideas’ tab – it might mean slight changes to your post, or it might give you an insight in to how students felt about this topic.
View current Ideas View passed Ideas View Rejected Ideas View Expired Ideas

Please Note: You will need to log in to submit a new idea, or comment on an existing idea, below.

Back to list
  • -11 score
    17 votes

    radar key locks for all disabled toilets

    Submitted 4 months ago by Sonja Brown Expires on 15 Sep
    Current
    • societies
    • Wellbeing
    • Education
    • Accessibility
    • Representation
    6comments
    Currently, at Kedleston Rd, the limited amount of accessible toilets are being abused by non-disabled students to make phone calls or get changed in because they don't have radar key access, plus the toilet is a lot higher than the generic toilets especially if a student has limited mobility this becomes an issue, its unfair that a disabled student/staff member has to wait to use the accessible toilet because of inconsiderate students due to the "culture" of student life. Consult Disability Act
David Mulgrew
11:17am on 24 Mar 25 I am a disabled student, I don't like carrying a radar key because its chunky and annoying to carry.
Darren Cassidy
9:09pm on 3 Apr 25 Could we possibly use a card reader to enter disabled toilet. eg student id reader? Which gives the access to the toilets. I realise this now has -7 currently. Just another idea.
Logan Thomas
4:33pm on 3 May 25 Whilst I recognize there are issues with access to disabled toilets, brain fog from my condition makes me forgetful and I often forget to bring my radar key with me to places. I also sometimes struggle to operate the key whilst using my crutches as I rely on them for balance. I understand keys could be left at reception etc. but many anxious students, or individuals who struggle with communication may be unable to ask for this. Furthermore, waiting to ask for the key takes time that is not necessarily available for those with urgency issues. There are issues with bathroom availability but I fear making these bathrooms less available for non-disabled students will also restrict access for many disabled students. It is difficult to ascertain who is in need of these bathrooms, the use of mobility aids is visible, but many invisible disabilities may also cause access needs. You often can't tell if someone has a stoma, needs a sterile environment to use a catheter or needs a calmer environment due to differences in sensory processing.
Sean Franco
7:49pm on 13 May 25 I'm a disabled student and I don't have a radar key, how would I then use these toilets?
Rhian Finch
5:18pm on 26 May 25 Whatever you think, radar keys would make accessible toilets LESS accessible...
Sonja Brown
3:10pm on 10 Jun 25 I have suggested that a radar key be available at the main reception in the library and at basecamp. It could be scanned like library books, and if not returned, a charge could be implemented. This option would be particularly useful for those who find carrying a full-sized key too cumbersome. The key could potentially be attached to a student card or lanyard. Another option might be to use a barcode system, similar to how students tap in for lectures or use the printers in the library. Radar keys are available free of charge with evidence from the Council House. However, this information is not always provided by council staff, and I only discovered that I was entitled to a radar key and a blue badge through a friend who is disabled.