Is it legal/ fair ?

marialionza

Thanks you've been smashing. I just felt really sorry for the man, he was limping really badly and trying not to show pain.
I just felt some sort of association ...had it happen to me or any of my people I would have flipped.

LeeRits

My brother tore a ligiment in both of his ankles playing football a few months back. He was on crutches for 2 weeks. He's not disabled, just a bit of an idiot. He didn't try to claim for any kind of disability discount on anything but a lot of people would. Being on crutches is not a sign of a disability so I don't think they were out of order for asking.

Freelikeabird

marialionza wrote: »

Thanks you've been smashing. I just felt really sorry for the man, he was limping really badly and trying not to show pain.
I just felt some sort of association ...had it happen to me or any of my people I would have flipped.

The other thing to bear in mind is that the member of staff who asked is an innocent party too (obviously will depend on the way they ask, if they are being rude that's a different matter) - they may have been told by HQ that they need to ask everyone who wants that discount for proof, whether they feel comfortable doing that or not. This may be checked by random 'mystery shops' where if they don't ask they could be subject to a 'chat' or even disciplinary action if it is continued. I only add this as someone who worked in retail many moons ago - we had a lot of things we had to ask/say during every transaction.

Marg2k8

I'm disabled and if I was going somewhere where I wanted a concession, I would show a photo of my blue badge. I think we would all be annoyed if for example we went to a theme park and someone was allowed to queue jump because they had a pair of crutches with them and then we saw them ditch the crutches and get to the front of all the queues.

Daphne01

I was registered as disabled with the council in the mid 80's (It was for a job with them)
I had to be medically retired and I'm still on the register and received an updated plastic card a few years ago, so yes there is still a disabled persons registration card with a number

Maybe it's just some councils that provide it?

pumpkin89

hdh74 wrote: »

I don't have a disability number but I keep a copy of my pip award on hard for any concessions. Often asked to show it and no I don't mind. What I do mind is not getting reduced parking at hospitals.

Not wishing to be rude, but why should you get reduced parking? You get access to the most convenient spaces, because you may (depending on the disability) struggle to walk from further away. But there's no reason you should pay less than anyone else - few people really have a choice whether to park or not.

hdh74

pumpkin89 wrote: »

Not wishing to be rude, but why should you get reduced parking? You get access to the most convenient spaces, because you may (depending on the disability) struggle to walk from further away. But there's no reason you should pay less than anyone else - few people really have a choice whether to park or not.

Many disabled people need to visit hospital far far more often than the average person, and unlike a more able-bodied person are unable to avail themselves of off-site parking which is often free. And are probably unable to use public transport, most able-bodied people do have the choice. I know disabled people who can struggle to make hospital appointments because they cannot afford to go. This seems a way more important issue to me than getting a few quid of at the cinema, welcomed by many as that may be.

grannybiker

pumpkin89 wrote: »

Not wishing to be rude, but why should you get reduced parking? You get access to the most convenient spaces, because you may (depending on the disability) struggle to walk from further away. But there's no reason you should pay less than anyone else - few people really have a choice whether to park or not.

Many disabled people, (Not all,) are unable to work, or if they do, it's reduced hours, so the financial strains are very real. I'm sure many people have been in clinics that over-run, risking penalty charges.
There are many medical conditions that need frequent visits to hospital, for tests or treatment. If this is done on an outpatient basis, it's saving the NHS loads and freeing up beds :beer:. Concessionary parking would be a drop in the ocean of the coffers. Which brings me to a major gripe... The NHS handing over parking to private firms to charge what they like with no benefit to the hospital or patients :mad:.

hdh74 wrote: »

Many disabled people need to visit hospital far far more often than the average person, and unlike a more able-bodied person are unable to avail themselves of off-site parking which is often free. And are probably unable to use public transport, most able-bodied people do have the choice. I know disabled people who can struggle to make hospital appointments because they cannot afford to go. This seems a way more important issue to me than getting a few quid of at the cinema, welcomed by many as that may be.

^^^A great explanation. :T

Ktkoozal

I am disabled, and I am not able to queue up for a long time for things because I cannot stand for very long. I have NEVER been asked for a Disability Number - never heard of it. If I want to watch a show/go to a concert I HAVE to be in my wheelchair, sticks or crutches doesn't seem to be enough evidence for them. They will only discount the ticket once they have proof of entitlement of Higher Mobility Component of DLA in the form of the award letter. I am quite happy that they do that because people do take the mickey. I'm not so happy that I HAVE to be in my wheelchair in order to qualify though, it is the most uncomfortable thing in the world!


As regards to parking, paying for disabled parking at hospitals does annoy me, however, I am eligible for hospital patient transport (thank goodness!) and I am always up in London at St Thomas's, Guy's and King's because I have several serious conditions which need close monitoring.


My main bugbear is when people park in disabled bays without blue badges, very annoying. Those who complain that disabled people always get the best and free parking, please, come and swap a day in my life and experience all of the pain and difficulties I live with every second of every day and then think about how 'unfair' disabled parking is.

hdh74

grannybiker wrote: »

Many disabled people, (Not all,) are unable to work, or if they do, it's reduced hours, so the financial strains are very real. I'm sure many people have been in clinics that over-run, risking penalty charges.
There are many medical conditions that need frequent visits to hospital, for tests or treatment. If this is done on an outpatient basis, it's saving the NHS loads and freeing up beds :beer:. Concessionary parking would be a drop in the ocean of the coffers. Which brings me to a major gripe... The NHS handing over parking to private firms to charge what they like with no benefit to the hospital or patients :mad:.


Indeed granny, not only am I not able to work, but my hubby has to work reduced hours as he has to help look after myself and our daughter as we both have disabilities and complex health needs. And his own health is poor. You wouldn't believe how much we spend on hospital visits. And if we need to take a taxi because hubby cannot take us it costs 3 times the normal charge for one that can accommodate our daughter's particular wheelchair and there are often complications with drivers not really knowing how to deal with the wheelchair properly - and repairs to wheelchairs are very expensive too. And I'm not going to rattle on to turn it into a sob story, but those who begrudge consessionary parking to the disabled really are uninformed about the realities of a disabled life. We struggle hugely every day, and I know people whose struggles are greater still, but like I said, not going into sob-story land.