Do you have a disabled national identity card and/or a carers national identity card?

elsien

Doesn’t help with the daffodils lanyards where basically anyone can send off for one and wear it. 

I can remember a few years ago now having an argument with Alton Towers they were trying to say that only people with the high rate mobility or a blue badge  could have the carer go in cheaper. I was with a chap who was fully mobile but had a severe learning disability and autism, little awareness of danger and could not go anywhere on his own. 

I think I had to pay up and then complain afterwards because they weren’t having it on the gate although their website did say otherwise.

Spoonie_Turtle

elsien said:

Doesn’t help with the daffodils lanyards where basically anyone can send off for one and wear it. 

The sunflower lanyards are for invisible/less-apparant disability; for a while they were appropriated by anti-maskers because most of the conditions that technically made people exempt were non-apparent disabilities, but since society no longer even pretends to require masking, that's no longer the case.

The sunflower scheme is supposed to be to signal that someone might need some extra support or consideration, but I don't know of any situation where it's taken as proof of disability by itself for concession or companion tickets.

marcia_

Spoonie_Turtle said:

elsien said:

Doesn’t help with the daffodils lanyards where basically anyone can send off for one and wear it. 

The sunflower lanyards are for invisible/less-apparant disability; for a while they were appropriated by anti-maskers because most of the conditions that technically made people exempt were non-apparent disabilities, but since society no longer even pretends to require masking, that's no longer the case.

The sunflower scheme is supposed to be to signal that someone might need some extra support or consideration, but I don't know of any situation where it's taken as proof of disability by itself for concession or companion tickets.

 I have Facebook friends who openly admit they obtained free lanyards from supermarkets etc to use to get free fast track at the airport. Non are disabled 

Spoonie_Turtle

marcia_ said:

Spoonie_Turtle said:

elsien said:

Doesn’t help with the daffodils lanyards where basically anyone can send off for one and wear it. 

The sunflower lanyards are for invisible/less-apparant disability; for a while they were appropriated by anti-maskers because most of the conditions that technically made people exempt were non-apparent disabilities, but since society no longer even pretends to require masking, that's no longer the case.

The sunflower scheme is supposed to be to signal that someone might need some extra support or consideration, but I don't know of any situation where it's taken as proof of disability by itself for concession or companion tickets.

 I have Facebook friends who openly admit they obtained free lanyards from supermarkets etc to use to get free fast track at the airport. Non are disabled 

Well that's frustrating, but it's not the same as getting free or reduced tickets or even accessible seating which is what the access cards tend to be for.

Cyclamen

I feel the sunflower lanyard scheme needs a revamp some more information..  They have a very real and necessary use for those with hidden disabilities who choose to wear them. 

Ive used mine bundled in my hand so i could wave it when at a train station as i was getting in a state of panic. I'm very visibly disabled as use a wheelchair but it meant that the station staff new i needed a bit of extra help for the things that cant be seen. PTSD and a little flashcard i carry asking for help getting away from crowd, noise, etc and ushered me into office, gave me water and let me stabilise before assisting me to train.  Thats the intended use to signal help needed.

But yes i've heard of people getting them for airports and holiday use who openly say its a 'life hack' rather than a way to cope with a disability.. that makes me a bit cross. 

Sadly they are no longer an indicator for reduced tickets, in some places they were.  Even PIP, blue bade, Dr's notes no longer work in some situations and attractions set their own requirements.   I have a pass for the local theatre  after a medical form.  I've not been well enough to use it yet but you cant book wheelchair and companion tickets without.  The merlin/ theme parks often want nimbus (free) or  the Access card (paid). Train tickets require a rail card etc etc

The system has got more complex 

Spoonie_Turtle

Top tip for train travel: if a wheelchair user is staying in their wheelchair for the train journey, they and a companion can get 50% off Anytime  tickets.  It's the D50 discount.

Actually in looking for a source to back that up one can also get a ⅓ discount on Anytime singles too
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tickets-railcards-offers/promotions/wheelchair-user-without-a-railcard/ 

BUT of course the railcard can be used for any kind of ticket including off-peak and advance (and no time restriction of starting at 9.30am like the other railcards) so it is definitely worth considering for anyone who'll be doing national journeys even once a year, or local offpeak journeys more often but not often enough for a season ticket.

Also for blind people there are discounts on Anytime tickets and season tickets for themselves and a companion, without a railcard: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tickets-railcards-offers/promotions/visually-impaired-customer-without-a-railcard/
(I don't know if that's also using the D50 code or if there's a different one as the range of tickets is smaller.)

Cyclamen

 Thast useful but please can anyone explain how to add this discount when using the ticket machines or booking online?

I have a disabled persons rail card as  found it easier to do. But in the past when i've gone to ticket office (if its open) theyve given me a bigger discount because of my using a wheelchair than the rail card.  

I just dont know how to do this in advance and our ticket offce isnt always open, is only accessible from one platform (not usually the one i want) without a long walk out through car park around on the road and back in on the other side. Not really an option for me. 

Spoonie_Turtle

They are only available in-person from ticket offices or conductors if they sell tickets on the train (and again, only apply to Anytime tickets).  Hence a railcard is still very much worth having for most people travelling by train, but the discount is good to know for when one can make use of it.

Cyclamen

Thanks Spoonie-turtle.  That makes sense
Sorry for long delay replying hit a bad patch 

We more than get our money back using the railcard as its how we travel for holiday.  

teddysmum

It was mention in online news, (yesterday, I believe) that, if a disabled person books on and off train help, and the help fails to arrive, they are now entitled to compensation for distress, worry, tardiness, etc as well as the reimbursement of the fare.