what qualifies you as being disabled?

caris

Do you only qualify as being "disabled" if you get DLA and or have a carer?

I only ask because my husband receives industrial injuries benefit and is assessed as being so much % disabled due to an accident whilst he was at work a few years ago.

He returned to work after a couple of years out due to his injury but had to take on a different job due to the injuries he sustained, he now receives wtc with the disability element.

Would he be eligable to any other benefits, if so what?

caris

Indie_Kid

The definition of disability is "a physical or mental impairment that affects one's body functions." (walking, communicating, eating, drinking, etc)

Not every disabled person receives DLA - yet, meet the criteria for a disability.

nannytone_2

you should try a claim for DLA.
DLA isnt awarded for a 'diagnosis' but for care and/or mobility needs.
without more detail of your husbands problems, it's hard to tell how successful he might be with a claim.
it cant hurt to apply though!

spugzbunny

I know this is being covered in the great disability discount thread thingy but I am also starting to wonder 'am I disabled?' I wear a hearing aid due to partial unilateral hearing loss. Loss is in the high ranges so without it I struggle to hear people speak. With it I struggle sometimes!

Am I disabled? I don't claim DLA, I can function without it but it is a physical impairment that effects my ability to communicate.

I know plenty of 'older' (woops, sorry!) people at work who wear hearing aids and they are not considered disabled - it's just considered a bi-product of the aging process.

I am young but wear a hearing aid - am I disabled or am I no more impaired than someone wearing glasses?

Edt to say - I'm not wondering this for reasons of DLA - I'm almost certain I'm not eligible and I don't need to claim it.

Indie_Kid

spugzbunny wrote: »

Am I disabled? I don't claim DLA, I can function without it but it is a physical impairment that effects my ability to communicate.

Under the disability discrimination act, yes you are. What I put in my first post, is the definition given within the act. (there is more to it though; but that's the basics)

krisskross

spugzbunny wrote: »

I know this is being covered in the great disability discount thread thingy but I am also starting to wonder 'am I disabled?' I wear a hearing aid due to partial unilateral hearing loss. Loss is in the high ranges so without it I struggle to hear people speak. With it I struggle sometimes!

Am I disabled? I don't claim DLA, I can function without it but it is a physical impairment that effects my ability to communicate.

I know plenty of 'older' (woops, sorry!) people at work who wear hearing aids and they are not considered disabled - it's just considered a bi-product of the aging process.

I am young but wear a hearing aid - am I disabled or am I no more impaired than someone wearing glasses?

Edt to say - I'm not wondering this for reasons of DLA - I'm almost certain I'm not eligible and I don't need to claim it.

As far as some people are concerned anything less than the perfect body in all it's functions and you are 'disabled'. Must be the most abused word in the English language.

I have a painful ingrowing toenail and the pain makes me limp a bit. Does this make me disabled?

We need far more sensible people like yourself around. I have never understood the wish to declare oneself disabled. Think with a lot of people it is £££ signs.

pipkin71

I'm sure I read something on here, along the lines of, if you think you're disabled, then that's what counts - I think it was in the 'what is classed as a disability thread, but I could have read it completely wrong

Being disabled means you can't do something the same as someone who is able bodied, but, would you describe someone with poor eye sight as disabled?

I do think that disability can be used in situations where you once wouldn't have considered that person to have a disability, but then we are all much more aware of disability on the whole.

Is it more to do with money now? I don't honestly know.

For the OP, DLA is based on care and mobility needs, so you can apply if he needs extra help with care, or he has problems with his mobility. The % of disability he was awarded won't really come into it, if he can walk ok and can manage with regards to care.

spugzbunny

krisskross wrote: »

As far as some people are concerned anything less than the perfect body in all it's functions and you are 'disabled'. Must be the most abused word in the English language.

I have a painful ingrowing toenail and the pain makes me limp a bit. Does this make me disabled?

We need far more sensible people like yourself around. I have never understood the wish to declare oneself disabled. Think with a lot of people it is £££ signs.

:beer: Thanks! I'm very rarely considered sensible!!

I just find it a strange moral issue for me especially in relation to the discounts thread. I do feel that sometimes I should be eligible if others are for example when I will genuinely struggle to hear what is happening ... but then at the same time I am also grateful that the institution has gone to the bother of fitting T-loops etc. It's funny because I'm the sort of person who would walk a mile out of her way for a free sample on the high street or scour the internet for 241 vouchers but I don't know where I stand asking for a disabled discount for myself.

Here is a loaded question! Why do disabled people get a discount? Is it because the disability means they have less spare cash due to outgoings, less incomings? Is it because they will enjoy the performance, event, ride less? Is it because they need to take a carer with them?

Well I only apply for one of those reasons and only sometimes (less enjoyment).

To look at it the other way though - I don't feel disabled, I don't think I am disabled but if others see my hearing aid they may feel I am disabled and feel the need to treat me differently. I haven't had that reaction yet but it is sure to happen one day.

I miss that shruggy emoticon - it would be useful here!

spugzbunny

Caris - sorry I've hijacked the thread a bit!!

Indie_Kid

spugzbunny wrote: »

Here is a loaded question! Why do disabled people get a discount? Is it because the disability means they have less spare cash due to outgoings, less incomings? Is it because they will enjoy the performance, event, ride less? Is it because they need to take a carer with them?

Many disabled people need carers with them. And many do generally have more outgoings than non-disabled people.

nannytone_2

I don't necessarily see a need for the person who is disabled to get a discount, but surely if that disability means they have to be accompanied, a discount is appropriate.

something like swimming for example. being accompanied wouldnt make me swim any better, but it would stop me falling in the deep end or going into the mens changing rooms by mistake lol