Spotlight on accessible days out

SaraC_Scope
SaraC_Scope CP Network, Scope Posts: 129 Empowering
in Families and carers

Good morning everyone.

It's the school holidays. The family services team are here to answer your questions about accessible days out.

We can offer advice on passes and cards to reduce the cost of a day out.

How to ask a venue to make reasonable adjustments for your visit.

Make a day out sensory friendly.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sara

Family Services Advisor

Comments

  • Elm
    Elm Community member Posts: 10 Listener

    We are having trouble with the access card scheme as it seems impossible to have the carer symbol added for a child because they keep saying that all children need additional supervision. My disabled child is a teenager most teenagers go out alone but mine cannot. Even when going out with friends they like me to be there too but it is so expensive to pay for two of us.

  • Jemima_Scope
    Jemima_Scope Scope Family Services Posts: 42 Family Services
    edited August 22

    Hi @Elm

    Thank you for reaching out. I can imagine how frustrating that is for you, and how expensive it can be.

    I’m wondering if you can tell me more about the challenges for adding the carers symbol? You mentioned that they said all children need additional supervision. Do you understand what they mean by that?

    Jemima

    Family Service Advisor

  • Elm
    Elm Community member Posts: 10 Listener

    When we applied for the access card they sent me an email confirming they had awarded all the symbols except for the +1 carer symbol and wrote this as the explanation:

    Please be aware that if the applicant is a child we may not allocate the +1 symbol even with this further supporting information.  For children; Whilst we are not questioning that your child may need a certain amount of support when out and about; it would be expected that the level of support stated be met by a parent or guardian at paid-for events. As such we are unable to award the +1 symbol. The only exception we may consider to this is where paid specialist support is required on top of the support provided by the existing responsible adult. 
    You are of course still able to act in the role of carer and provide support/supervision but would not qualify for automatic free ticket/entry at the majority of events we work with.

    I understand most children need an adult with them anyway but by the time they are a mid teenager they should be able to do things independantly and not need us with them at all times. The support we have to give my child is way above what a 'normal' teenager needs but because they are a child they won't get the +1 symbol but when they turn 18 they will. I don't understand it

  • samaiden
    samaiden Community member Posts: 2 Listener

    my daughter and i both are wheelchair users but we can not go out together because most place only have one spot or they are not close together

    like cinema they have one wheelchair spot on left of all seats and one on right of all seats but not together

    bus only has one wheelchair spot at a time

    even when I called theatre to watch Hamilton they can not fit more than one wheelchair in a box

    any places you know we can both do together?

  • SaraC_Scope
    SaraC_Scope CP Network, Scope Posts: 129 Empowering

    Hi @samaiden

    What area do you live in? Are you looking to travel during the holidays?

    Kind Regards

    Sara

  • TOsborne
    TOsborne Community member Posts: 5 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/120344/spotlight-on-accessible-days-out

    Is there anything to help days out for undiagnosed ADHD/ASD but on pathway ?

  • Becky_Scope
    Becky_Scope Scope Family Services Posts: 4 Family Services

    Hi @Elm. Do you have a carers card? If the access card won't add the carer symbol on then a carers card would be proof of your carer status. It would then be up to each individual venue and their carer's policies about offering discounts. Some venues also will only accept specific documents such as proof of DLA so it's worth checking each place before you go.

    There is a cost to the carers card though of £8 for 2 years. They have a free app that gets you discounts online too!

  • Mary_Scope
    Mary_Scope Scope Family Services Posts: 23 Family Services
    edited August 22

    Hi @TOsborne

    If you are receiving Disability Living Allowance for your child then it may be worth applying for a CEA Card. This allows one carer to go free with the child at the cinema. Most large cinema chains also tend to have autism friendly screenings where sensory needs are taken into consideration.

    Scope also have some practical information on their website about preparing for days out with disabled children such as using social stories, autism friendly days out and discounts.

    Home - CEA Card

    Days out for disabled people and their families | Disability charity Scope UK
    Activities and days out for disabled children | Disability charity Scope UK

    Hope this is helpful

    Mary
    Family Service Adviser

  • elliemeg
    elliemeg Community member Posts: 5 Connected

    I am disabled rather than my son but I don't to take him out much because I find it very difficult alone. Places that are accessible to me are not usually very fun for him but because the venues are aimed at him I don't feel comfortable asking for adjustments for me. Is it okay to ask for adjustments when they are not for the intended audience? We attended a soft play recently and he got upset inside and couldn't get out, but I was unable climb in to get him, but even asking the staff to help get him was not met very well.

    Another example he really wants to go to a theme park but I can't wait in the queues, if I'm not going on the rides can we use any sort of help?

  • SaraC_Scope
    SaraC_Scope CP Network, Scope Posts: 129 Empowering

    Hi @elliemeg Thank you for your message.

    It's so hard when you are restricted access to children's play areas because of a disability. Soft play centre's are probably one of the most challenging places, due to the enclosed space. I've tagged @Richard_Scope to see if he has any additional thoughts on how this might work for you both.

    You mentioned wanting to visit a theme park with your son. Here is a link to Seven accessible UK theme parks This list might help you find the best park for you both.

    Kind Regards

    Sara

  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,677 Cerebral Palsy Network

    Hi @elliemeg

    I had the same issues with soft play centres. I'm a wheelchair user and when my daughter was small I found that The Sea Life Centres were great for access.

  • TOsborne
    TOsborne Community member Posts: 5 Connected
    https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/comment/891935#Comment_891935

    Thankyou for your advice. Can we claim DLA without a diagnosis?

  • SaraC_Scope
    SaraC_Scope CP Network, Scope Posts: 129 Empowering

    Hi @TOsborne

    I've included the link to Scope's Child DLA Information for your attention. Your child doesn't need a diagnosis to apply for DLA. When you make the application consider your child's most difficult day. It would help to keep a diary and log the extra things you are doing for your child. The DLA form is long and can be emotional. I would advise to do one or two questions a day. When you have completed the form, take a copy.

    I hope this helps.

    Sara

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