Proof Of Disability Card - Thoughts Please

PoDSN

As a disabled person myself I know many venues / companies offer discounts for those with disabilities (and their carers). They may ask for proof of entitlement - i.e. a copy of award letter (which is cumbersome to carry round and some places won't accept photocopies meaning you risk the original!) or your blue badge (which isn't very practical if you need it to park!).

I was thinking it would be very useful to have a nationally recognised credit card sized ID card to carry round as proof of disability and wondered what others thought of this idea?

It would be a not-for-profit / charity scheme but there would, of course, need to be a token charge for the card to cover costs - so what sort of yearly fee would you be prepared to pay for the card?

I was thinking it would be available to those with DLA / PIP / Blue Badge / Disabled National Bus Pass holders. I imagine it would need to say level of award for DLA / PIP as different organisations have differing eligibility for their discounts. As it's just a card to prove disability it would not need to detail actual disabilities.

I know some councils offer a registration card of some form but this is not universal and widely varies from council to council.

soolin

My first thought is that I dislike the idea of anyone with a disability having to carry a card to say so, especially if those disabilities are outlined on the card. Would that not be seen as somehow marking people out as 'different' if they choose to declare a disability.

PoDSN

I meant it would be a non-compulsory alternative and I did say it wouldn't detail the actual disabilities on the card.

It's just (potentially) a more handy alternative to having to carry around proof of disability benefits award / blue badge to get the disabled / carer entry rates to attractions / theatres / etc.

sandy_smith_2

Carrying around your DLA/PIP entitlement letter is hardly 'cumbersome' - it's one sheet of a4 paper which weighs about 3 grams.

Which companies actually require the original entitlement letter and won't accept a photocopy? From the letters I've seen you can't even tell the difference between the original and a copy such is the poor quality of DWP letters.

Sorry I think you are trying to solve a problem which doesn't exist.

Indie_Kid

I can see the reasoning behind this. I personally don't like carrying around my DLA / ESA letters because of my personal details on them,

PoDSN

I've had a few companies say they can't accept a photocopy of it when I've shown it to them.

Personally, it is cumbersome to me as I don't carry around a bag with me. Therefore, keeping it in my pocket means it can end up squashed, damaged, etc.

Maybe it is a problem that doesn't exist for many though - hence me asking for thoughts and opinions. At this stage, I can only go on my own experiences and the experiences of my family.

PoDSN

Indie_Kid wrote: »

I can see the reasoning behind this. I personally don't like carrying around my DLA / ESA letters because of my personal details on them,

That's also a very good point - the letters have your NI number, address, and sometimes exactly how much benefit you are receiving.

The card would only need a name, photo and the level of award (if it were DLA / PIP)

sheeps68

There are a few local authorities that still have a disability register for adults. Most however have stopped them. I live in an area that only has a children's disability register but work for an authority that actually has a adult disability register that's growing. Ask your local authority they may actually have what you are looking for.

nlj1520

I have a purely emotional reaction to this (on behalf of my son).......NO! Why should he have to 'register' as disabled? He is just a person who needs extra support. We all have to provide documents for some things.....opening bank accounts etc, and to register as 'different' rather than just doing things like everyone else feels discriminatory.
I know this is not a reasoned response, it is a purely emotional one and I make no apologies for that!

lemontart

I was looking into similar earlier in the year, it is sadly a case of showing the blue badge in a lot of cases and as for carers we were lucky enough to be able to get one from a charity for carers in my partners area - where as many no longer do such due to budget cuts.

shopaholic2

I would say in theory it's a good idea, I've been to various places that offer discounted entry if you're disabled but need proof. Blue badge? Yes need it to park. DLA entitlement letter? Yes but it couldbe anyone. So a small id photo card would be fine for me. Something like the CEA card you get for the cinema.