Disabled ID Card

woodbine

@NitramM hi good evening and welcome to scope, just to point out that this thread is 2.5 years old,  however it's also the first time i've read it, I don't agree with I.D cards at all and perhaps even less with one for people who are disabled.

yme

I've just received an email from a venue I attended and they are saying as from 5th June 2023, you can only have a disabled/carer ticket if you obtain a Nimbus access card. 

This card covers various areas like mobility  unable to queue for long periods, WC emergency, visual/hearing issues etc. 

Anyone filling in the PIP assessment forms know only too well how intimidating the forms are, the need to provide evidence of the condition and how it affects you plus requirements for medical evidence within the last 2 years etc 

I myself had a go at the Nimbus form to see exactly what was required and I can't believe how intrusive the form is! It is basically the same as filling in the PIP form!

I've just had my PIP award sorted and been awarded 10 years based on a paper assessment.

The evidence criteria has changed and you no longer have to provide medical information previously submitted. However the PIP award does not specify what medical conditions are relevant to the assessment areas, so I'm not sure if the PIP award will get me the card. 

It certainly doesn't discuss my visual or hearing issues, anxiety or other things that this card is asking about. 

Maybe it's me. Maybe I'm not reading it right. But all I know is there is no way we will be going to the venue as planned because we need the card to book our tickets! 

You have to apply 7 days before your visit...!!! As these changes cone into affect in 5th June, why did they only send the email on 2nd June?

The other issue is that it says it's free but only for that venue. If you want the card for other venues, you have to pay £15, so basically £5 per year, as the card lasts for 3 years 

If you are lucky to be able to get to the other places, fair enough but if you are limited because of your conditions, it's a pricey experience. I've had a train card, paid £54 for the 3 years, I only used it twice because of illness. Turns out wasn't worth buying in the end but no means of saying I hadn't got my money's worth.

I have a feeling that this card will be the same as we have only been to the venue on 2 occasions as it's difficult to go with medical issues impeding on my ability to remain well. 

It seems the venue's are told it's cost free to them. I wonder if they are aware of how difficult it is to complete the form, how intrusive it is and how intimidating the process actually is. 

I understand that they want to ensure they are disabled compliant but really, this to me is just adding to our anxiety and pressure. Taking out the enjoyment of the day. 

Has anyone else received similar email about having to have the card and how do you feel about the application process.


 

poppy123456

@yme i went through this application for my daughter back in March this year. Yes they do ask for information about your health conditions but i didn't think it was anything like the PIP form. They aren't asking for as much information here.

The relevant area that applied to her was the +1 companion (the others didn't apply) so i gave information about why she needs someone with her. She also claims PIP and her PIP decision letter does go into enough of detail on the following and planning a journey section so i sent that. This was enough to get her the access card.

She did pay the extra for other venues and for her it is worth it because you only need to use it once and it pays for itself.

Evidence for PIP doesn't have to be within the last 2 years, you can send any evidence (including medical) regardless of how old it is, as long as it's still relevant.

juliie

Hi guy's  I'm late to the party but have just been researching ID cards and wondering which one. Has anyone used their's in Europe? I've used blue badges all over the place but the place we want to visit asks for a Croatian disability ID card I mean let's just make it harder, I'm a wheelchair user so how big a sign do they want? Sorry not ranting but please let me know if you've any info.

Alex_Alumni

That seems very particular @juliie I'm sorry to hear about this, I'm afraid like you I've only ever used my blue badge abroad, so I'd be keen to hear if anyone has any tips or advice for you

apple85

Just found this thread myself

on the one hand I am really against the concept of id cards (esp with things such as voting) and it could be seen as form of control hence the unease many feel towards them

however

one of the problems that the disabled have (esp those with invisible disability) is trying to convince others that you are!

I do disagree with using esa/pip/uc element as proof of a disability as not everyone with a disability qualifies for this and in cases you don’t even need a disability/illness to qualify.

however a disability id card that uses an official diagnosis of a long term/lifelong disability or illness as the proof/evidence before issuing an id card I think the pros would outweigh the cons for me (I think realistically something may need to be sacrificed in order to improve disability rights in uk going forward)

Furthermore considering that you no longer benefit from extra money for a esa wrag award compared to jsa (and the equivalent uc versions - the lcw group?) and the only real benefit of the wrag is in theory more understanding from the job centre, no forcing into unsuitable jobs and I think the minimum income floor would apply either (I’m sure there are other things is forgot to add or I’ve gotten wrong) -

 but for me if there was a way for a disability id card to automatically qualify you for uc lcw group/esa wrag (which gives no extra money) and you could choose to take a further assessment for an possible upgrade to uc lcwra/esa support group - that would be of much interest to me and take away a lot of the stress of the current way of doing things

but I’m sure a few of you would think the above is a terrible idea (though I doubt any idea is worse than what the gov has come up with the past few years)

JessieJ

We could take a few pointers from France (maybe other countries have the same system IDK). 

They have 3 cards, all with a photo. The blue badge, as we have for parking, but there it is for 1- 20 years (that has changed, before it was 10yrs + as standard), obviously dependent on disability, as here. Then another for priority, credit card size, also 1 - 20yrs now, to help with all queues including supermarket, transport & waiting room seats etc. The third covers the same as the 2nd, but also you can get cheaper travel tickets, provisions made in work & also tax benefits. Dependent on situation, you can have 1 & 2 or 1 & 3. As with here, there are certain criteria, but IMHO, a good system. Oh & they are free!

If we had the equivalent to the 2nd along with the blue badge, it could also serve as a photo ID card.

apple85

I think we could take pointers from many western and 1st world countries imo

This country seems to be going backwards when it comes to disabilities - I don’t think the rise of both far left and far right in the past few years has helped the disabled community (what happened to common sense and the middle?)

2oldcodgers

JessieJ said:

We could take a few pointers from France (maybe other countries have the same system IDK). 

They have 3 cards, all with a photo. The blue badge, as we have for parking, but there it is for 1- 20 years (that has changed, before it was 10yrs + as standard), obviously dependent on disability, as here. Then another for priority, credit card size, also 1 - 20yrs now, to help with all queues including supermarket, transport & waiting room seats etc. The third covers the same as the 2nd, but also you can get cheaper travel tickets, provisions made in work & also tax benefits. Dependent on situation, you can have 1 & 2 or 1 & 3. As with here, there are certain criteria, but IMHO, a good system. Oh & they are free!

If we had the equivalent to the 2nd along with the blue badge, it could also serve as a photo ID card.

Priority Card.

I can see that working in this country - NOT!
For example, public benches. Take a situation where 3/4 youths are sitting on one and you need to sit down due to pain. Go up to them and tell them nicely to get up so you could sit and at the same time flashing your Priority Card - what do you think would happen?
Maybe if I was 35 years younger I would chance my luck - but an aged person - not a chance. 

As for the 3rd card, why should the government use my taxes as well as others to provide a card free of charge so that the recipient can then use to obtain discounts? You have to remember that not all disabled people are poverty struck. Personally I have an ex services (veteran) discount card that costs me £5 so that I get goods and services with between 10 & 20% off. I also have a Disabled Persons Railcard that allows two people to travel with a 35% discount. That costs me £20.

JessieJ

Actually, @2oldcodgers, it must be an attitude thing. I've found politely asking yoofs does just fine. I'm sure people have enough common sense when or where to use a card or when to use politeness. 

As for the rest of your reply, you're an I'm all right Jack then, bully for you! All three cards are free, as they want to look after their disabled, which I think is rather good. If working, you also get a helping hand, which is excellent. 

I won't bother returning to this thread, as your attitude is never any different.

apple85

Does anyone use a disability id card to get someone to give their spot on a public bench?

I always thought with public benches it is first come first served but the decent thing would be for a person to offer their seat up for someone either struggling or elderly (same for non disabled seats on trains buses) - but there’s no law in these cases saying you have to give a seat (prehaps it’s a little selfish but many selfish people in the uk). So if it was being suggested to use a disability id card when requesting someone give up their seat on a public bench that sounds OTT to me.

as I said before on the whole I am against id cards as a concept. However as someone with a number of ‘hidden’ disabilities having an disability id card in your wallet as a safety net does have its appeal (how many of us have been subject to grief and even accused of lying or faking a disability at some point in our life). For me it’s certainly not about about freebies or discounts. 

I don’t know if this would be useful for any on here but below are the uk ‘disability id cards’ I could find at this moment in time (feel free to tell me if I’ve missed any, if any are a known ‘scam’ or to endorse/praise any):

> National disability card

https://www.disabilityid.co.uk/

> DID card 
https://www.did-card.co.uk/

> Nimbus access card

https://www.nimbusdisability.com/quality-mark/the-access-card/

> Fair4all card

https://fair4all.org.uk/

> UK disability card (not sure how legit this one is)

https://www.disabilitycards.co.uk/

> PIWS access card (Wales only)

https://www.piws.co.uk/

> Blue badge scheme/mobility scheme (if they come with an id card)

> Some councils have a disability id scheme which allows you to apply for an official card, a few of the local services (such as police) have a similar scheme

(I have not included any id cards you can buy off eBay/amazon for obvious reasons)

Part of the problem with a lot of these cards is that you can only apply for them if you are in receipt of a disability state benefit (uc lcw/lcwra, esa, pip, dlc, etc…) but there are a lot of disabled people in this country wrongly denied disability benefits and there are disabled people who choose not to claim any disability benefit for their own valid reasons. For them being able to prove they are disabled via an id card may be helpful.

If the gov had a disablity id scheme where you sent in copies of your official diagnosis (I’m talking talking the time consuming specialist tests and diagnosis not just gp guesswork if you get my meaning) and paid something like £20 for production costs and you got an official widely recognised disability id card for 3-5yrs before renewal (but like the disability rail card) then I’d probably sign up

lastly a couple of articles on the subject:

> https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1139
yes I know we are no longer part of the eu but It’s still interesting to read want out neighbours are doing

> https://www.unicef.org/nepal/reports/innovative-model-disability-screening-and-issuing-disability-id-cards

PS….sorry about the post length

apple85

The sunflower card also seems widely recognised but they don’t need proof of disability (hence non disabled buying it in the pandemic to avoid wearing masks) which makes me feel uneasy and the card a little less legit

NewPip

this is private company just trying to make extra money, way do you need disable card when you can use travel pass