Are people just less tolerant of disability accessibility now ?

Less thoughtful, less aware and yes, less tolerant.

My DP said to me today, on the way to the dentists, he doesn't understand why I am so anxious about going out now.

We arrived at the dentists...

The accessible parking space is such that my ramp opens down a steep gravelly slope with a slight camber to the left, so coming backwards off that ramp feels like I am going to tip the chair over and fall out.

The ramp up to the dentists door is narrow. One half of the double doors opens across that ramp so is shut as I approach.

I doubted my ability to get through the single door so asked for someone to open it - I have to line up very carefully (90degree left turn to face the door) as behind me is a set of steps leading directly to the door. Going backwards off these would be very dangerous.

Then I sit and wait 10 minutes whilst various reception staff come and fiddle with various keys to unlock the other half of the double doors which it turns out, they can't do. It isnt the same key for the door that is open, they don't appear to have a key and admit they have in fact never unlocked it.

Fortunately (as I am at this point on the verge of tears) I did manage to get through the single door - mm to spare either side.

Then I sat and wondered if I'd fit into a treatment room... again, yes, JUST...

I had emailed this dentists to explain I am a wheelchair user, its a large chair, I'd need various things, could they accomodate that. They said yes, no bother.

They will undoubtedly not remember how embarrassing and awkward this morning was for me once I'd left. It won't figure, they won't be aware of how scary access is from their accessible parking spot, it won't have crossed their mind that their toilet is not accessible (it isn't, I did look).

And they are not ACTIVELY being awful. They think they meet the basic standards, they think they are accessible.

My DP now understands why I am so anxious about every day things outside my own home, where I am in control.

Yep, this.

Ok@Melisha . It is possible to get PIP because of poor mobility alone though.

@LadyKenya applied with help from CAB and appealed.

Its because people are blamed for being physically disabled. They must not have taken enough exercise, or eaten properly, or be too fat. My DP uses a wheelchair and people assume all kind of causes. I am disabled and people assume it is knees or hip deterioration and thus my own fault - it is not.
Less children are born physically disabled so fewer people have much knowledge of physical disabilities. It is why amputees are treated better by the public. They are not blamed.

Really? Have you looked at a PIP form then?

It's because the political party's are trying to blame the disabled for the economy

@SerendipityJane I did not say my disability is worse. I was calling out those who play top trumps. And it is very common online amongst people with neurodiversity.

A really wise poster upthread did predict that threads like this turn into disability top trumps.

Maybe we can all win a prize ?

@SerendipityJane and we do not get PIP. You do not get PIP if your only issue is physical mobility. So we can not even use that to pay for the costs.

Nah, people who get competitive about who has the worst disability are twats. Everyone with a disability is struggling, other disabled folks aren’t your enemy.

It is very easy to get BB parking in my city now they charge for it. But we do not have much money and it limits what we can do. If we were both more mobile we could park further away much cheaper and walk. But we can not.

I think there is a lack of understanding for people with physical disabilities, even amongst people with other disabilities. My DP uses a wheelchair. I have lost count of the amount of times we have went out with people who say they are disabled, use a mobility scooter or power chair, and when DP says they can not dance or walk far they agree they are the same. Then later in the night after a few drinks they are dancing away. They say they will pay for it the next day, but they can do it. My DP physically can not, ad they always seem surprised when they realise that.

They did a number on several vulnerable groups of Society unfortunately, and used them as an excuse for why the Country is in a mess.

When Birmingham started charging for BB parking, abuse fell overnight.

I think the meteoric rise in ADHD and/or autism diagnoses, the appearance and popularity of sunflower lanyards, and the emergence of long covid in recent years, all with associated perceived unique needs, may be a factor.

I complained to reception when parents collecting children kept parking in disabled spaces. They were obviously told off and now whenever we park there one parent in particular glares at me.
When we last travelled abroad the staff had to ask a woman to move from the blue badge seats by the gate where people getting assisted travel can sit. She argued back with the staff, until they threatened her with not being able to board. Then she got off looking furious.

I meant Florida. You are going to need proof next year.

as i disabled person myself i honestly think more people are just becoming entitled twats in general- for example

At my kids school you used to be able to use the gyms parking that was next door as it has a huge car park. However after certain parents insisted on parking in the blue badge spaces as it was easier to get away and then they actually verbally abused blue badge holders who asked them to move (why are you using fucking a gym if you are disabled was one of the phases used)
The gym has now installed a barrier that will only lift for members. The same parents are now parking over yellow lines and having stand up rows with the lolly pop man. The same parents are always moaning about their little darlings not getting in teams, parts on plays etc etc etc
Entitled twats about everything.

👏

This.

Some people seems to think they have higher rights these days and would walk over everyone to get what they want!
A couple of years ago, I took a wheelchair bound relative to their doctors appt, and whilst they were being seen, I waited outside near my car to give them privacy. I was asked to move my car twice from the disbaled bay, because I was not displaying a blue badge. I casually declined with an explaination that the sign showed it was parking for a disabled / wheelchair user and did not specify that a blue badge must be shown to park there, and that I was indeed driving a wheelchair bound relative to and from their appt. The person tutted and said "Liar" under their breathe - loud enough for me to hear though...
...Roll on 5 minutes when my family member wheeled themself outside to get into my car. The commentor (still looking on) had such I sheepish/guilty look on their face! I 🙂 & 👋 goodbye.

I'm confused.

I was at Disneyland Paris last year and they definitely required proof of disability i.e DLA letter.

Unless you mean in Florida, in which case, as you were