Great 'What discounts can I get when I'm disabled' Hunt

ellanvannin_2

HappySad wrote: »

It is good to know about this. We as a family have avoided plane travel and this extra service would really make a different with my mental illness.

Be wary, from my experience it is really people who need wheelchairs who will get the assistance and pre-booked seats. Certainly, being in a wheelchair certainly makes the flights and accompanying hanging about in airports much easier on the nerves - it is much less stressful.

berniesmaster

sh1305 wrote: »

If you receive either mobility component, or mid or higher rate care, then you can get a DRC.

what is a DRC?

ellanvannin_2

thin_wallet wrote: »

If you have a valid blue badge you can park in the short term car park at Gatwick Airport and pay the normal long term rate. You have to phone BAA parking first and pre book. When finally leaving the car park you go to the manned pay kiosk and pay whilst showing your blue badge.
It makes life so much easier as you can also call from phones in the car park and get picked up by wheelchair or buggy and taken to check-in.

What a brilliant service, I wish Manchester Airport had something similar. I had to buy my own wheelchair as at most airports you only get the airport's wheelchair and assistance after you check in which is no use to me and my disability. In the past my husband had to fight staff for the right to get a wheelchair earlier than they think I should have had one. Manchester has improved more recently in that they have a dedicated wheelchair desk now that you check in to.

shykins

thin wallet last time we flew from gatwick i was told parking in short term for disabled users was no longer available as all the buses had dropped entry so wheelchair users could use them easily.

it would be so much easier to be able to do this as trying to park and getting on and off the bus instead of just walking across from short term is a real pain (especially for my poor hub who has to carry everything)

cam79

As someone with a visual disability (very short sighted) and finds it hard to see at concerts and theaters, Does anyone know if you can get any discount for concert venues or if front row seating with discount was available? if that are, how would you book through the likes of ticket agents like ticketmaster?

Doom_and_Gloom

cam79 wrote: »

As someone with a visual disability (very short sighted) and finds it hard to see at concerts and theaters, Does anyone know if you can get any discount for concert venues or if front row seating with discount was available? if that are, how would you book through the likes of ticket agents like ticketmaster?

In that situation you would have to contact the venue itself. You do so using their disabled bookings line. You would then discuss your needs and they will find out what they can do for you and if you qualify for a discount on their terms and conditions. I don't think you can do it through places like ticket master - at least my friend couldn't when she booked tickets for us to go to a show. Saying that I can't walk far and sometimes am confined to a wheelchair so could be different.

Adaline

cam79 wrote: »

As someone with a visual disability (very short sighted) and finds it hard to see at concerts and theaters, Does anyone know if you can get any discount for concert venues or if front row seating with discount was available? if that are, how would you book through the likes of ticket agents like ticketmaster?

Try contacting individual venues. For example, the National Theatre in London do special discounts on tickets for people with disabilities and their carers. I always need an aisle seat, and preferably in the stalls so I don't have to do too much climbing of steps. The other week, I got a great seat about six rows from the front in the Olivier for £10 (usually about £30). I booked over the phone, and then took my blue badge as proof of the disability, but they didn't ask to see it.

dizzylynny

1Moneymonster wrote: »

my family are on the medium band of disability allowance for my son who is 1 year `and 3 months, we are in desperate need of a vehicle to take him to appointments and physio etc, but we called the DLA and they said that he needs to be 3 years and over to get mobility? is there anyway i can get discount ormobility for a car. help.

Im really very sorry but as far as I know (i qualified as a social worker 3years ago) there isnt!! This is because you need to have higher rate mobility, hence you cant walk/have sevear problems walking. Children can be classed as a slow/delayed developer with their walking. You can also carry your child or put them in a push chair. This may seem very unfair, but it does go some way to prevent some people claiming for their children who dont actually need it!!
If you do need a more suitable pushchair etc you can get help via your doctor or physio who can refer you to the wheelchair service.

dizzylynny

dale151549 wrote: »

It may not be in every county but here in the Midlands we can get £65 each towards a holiday of our choice. We are going away in November and have booked a cottage for £200 for the week but it is only going to cost us £70 thanks to the above. You can only apply once a year and it has to be after September 1st and you must provide an invoice sayig you have paid for it.


We also get to go to Hydrotherapy for £3.30 for the two of us as hubby gets in free.

Hope this helps others.

Jo

I found this very interesting, i live in the midlands, Staffs but how do i find out more info about this and apply? it would be really really helpfu!! for both the hol and hydro

thanks x x

dizzylynny

spikeysoul wrote: »

Hi I get DLA high rate mob - and I'm eligable for motability, neither me nor my husband can drive though - and I can't afford the fee for the lessons or the cost of the tests. Anybody know of anything that could help - it would be my husband who will have to learn, he is my carer but despite being stuck in bed without help they won't give me middle rate care, so he isn't officially recognised (third appeal + welfare rights officer so bases covered there).

If you go on to the Motability web site i think you will find that you can apply for driving lessons on there and they will pay for about 20 (dont hold me to that) and offer support after that! I hope this helps!!!
x x x