Proof Of Disability Card - Thoughts Please

mcculloch29

Torialou, do have a go at applying for PIP, which has replaced DLA. Make a diary of how your disability is affecting you on a day to day basis; e.g. 'I missed the bus as I had to stop five times on the 100 m walk to the bus stop', 'I was unable to attend a family gathering as I was too ill and tired', 'I had to run my tumble dryer on a sunny day as I couldn't peg out washing', - you can wordprocess this to make it easy to edit.
If your disability leads to trips, slips, falls, bumps and bruises, make a log of these and do a selfie of any visible injuries. This is all good evidence for your claim.
It's what I did in Dec 2009 to get mine, I know I have said this before but it's worth repeating.

pipkin71

soolin wrote: »

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.

On the one hand, I agree soo, but, we carry different things anyway - I have a card to borrow a mobility scooter in town, a bus pass, that sort of thing, anyway.

I don't think a card would be such a bad idea

Indie_Kid

But on the other hand, many people (including me) have invisible disabilities. So if we require a discount for entry for something plus a carer, we do need proof.

pipkin71

Indie_Kid wrote: »

But on the other hand, many people (including me) have invisible disabilities. So if we require a discount for entry for something plus a carer, we do need proof.

Which would be why I said: "I don't think a card would be such a bad idea."

cattermole

I think its an excellent idea would save a lot of hassle for everyone involved.

There is already such a card available for those registered blind/partially sighted which can be obtained from who ever is maintaining the register for the Local Authority.

I disagree about the objections to registers their primary purpose is so services can be planned. Pretty difficult task as it is with limited resources for services. Even more difficult if you have no data what so ever on which to plan anything or argue for resources. So objecting to registers is self defeating in the long run to people/children with disabilities.

Indie_Kid

cattermole wrote: »

I think its an excellent idea would save a lot of hassle for everyone involved.

There is already such a card available for those registered blind/partially sighted which can be obtained from who ever is maintaining the register for the Local Authority.

I seem to remember that deaf people can register and get the card too.

SingleSue

To anyone who meets me whilst up town, I would be classed as disabled as I have to use a wheelchair for anything more than about a very short walk which I cannot self propel and use a crutch at all other times but offiicially, I am not disabled because I do not claim DLA/PIP or have a blue badge.

Why? Partly pride and having been in denial about my ever worsening body, partly depression about my ever worsening body, partly no energy to fill in the form, partly too stressed/overtired/peeing about with also having to deal with my youngest son who has autism (no physical intervention needed with him now thank goodness, or I really would be beggered!)

I'm not worried about the financial side of things like the discounts etc but what irks me is that I cannot access wheelchair seats at events because at most of these, you need to have proof of disability aka, a blue badge or DLA reward letter!

I wouldn't mind paying full price for the tickets for me and a carer (regardless of the need to have someone push me, I wouldn't want to be a Billy no mates), I just want to access the blooming area in the first place.

mcculloch29

Hello SingleSue, have you no support groups in your area that could help you with the DLA/PIP application? Citizen's Advice even? From what you say, you tick the boxes for mobility.
Re accessing the wheelchair area at events.

Making the statement 'I am a wheelchair user but choose not to claim benefits' when you contact events should surely carry some weight.

My problem is that if friends organise things that include me, they sometimes 'forget' just how disabled I have become. My underlying condition is lifelong, but in the last five years my arthritis has become so severe it has made me eligible for DLA.
I've had some very scary moments negotiating the ridiculously steep steps in arenas for concerts, when I really should have been with the wheelies.

lexa34

dori2o wrote: »

I can see the benefits of such an idea, but I'd go one step further.

Receiving DLA opens up a number of avenues for other 'freebies', reductions, benefits (not state benefits). The only problem is you have to be claiming DLA.

There are many people out there who are disabled, who meet the various descriptors, would definately be entitled to the DLA/PIP and yet they choose not to claim it, for whatever reason that may be.

This means they lose out on these additional 'benefits'.

It would be beneficial to these people to be able to have something that shows they meet the set criteria for DLA/PIP, without needing to claim the money.

This would give these people equal footing, and could also save the Government money as I'm sure there are some people who only claim DLA/PIP in order to receive these other benefits.

I get pip, don't know about these discounts you can get. Don't suppose anyone could point me the direction of a good place to get more info? I can use Google but would appreciate recommendations by some nice humans not an algorithm!:T
Thank you!

Emkayoli

I think it is a good idea, I wouldn't feel labeled or discriminated against. The idea isn't that people with disabilities are forced to sign up to the scheme but it is a choice.

Perhaps someone could approach the CEA scheme and the company thinking of working with Merlin and suggest a 1 card scheme. I imagine if the big players were on board most of the smaller enterprises would accept if when approached by the scheme.

I do wonder what the cost to the applicant would be would it need renewing yearly to mpkeep showing proof of eligibility or would people with chronic or progressive illnesses only need to register the once?

I have so many bits of photo Id in my purse already and medical bits incase I am found unconscious, that another card doesn't really make a difference to me.