MORE than two million Australians with mobility related disabilities are being urged to pick up a special key that can give them access to more than 1000 safe and secure public toilets and Changing Places facilities across Australia including three in Blacktown.
The Master Locksmiths Association of Australasia working with a disability group and local council, developed the Master Locksmiths Access Key (MLAK) more than 30 years ago as a service to the disability community, has launched a campaign to get the key into the hands of more people, and has urged councils, shopping centres and state governments to install more secure MLAK enabled toilets.
Master Locksmiths president Martin Coote said while using a public toilet is easy for most people, those who experience core mobility issues, including older Australians, those in wheelchairs, and parents who are disabled or who have children with disabilities often can’t use general toilets.
The key can also be used at Changing Places facilities, Liberty Swings, and other facilities across Australia. Eligibility for MLAK is restricted to people who have a disability or have written authority from a doctor, disability organisation, community health care facility, or the owner or manager of a building with an accessible toilet.
