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AIBU?

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Original poster

Access card for disabilities - dyslexia

176 replies

Canttalkinreallife · 16/09/2026 14:56

I was talking to another mum at the school gate this morning and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.

I have 3 children, the youngest (age 7) has autism, is non verbal and attends a specialist school.

My eldest is in year 6 with this mum’s child. She asked me if we had an access card for my youngest to which I answered yes, it has been really helpful on days out and such like.

She told me that she’d recently applied for one as they’re going to Disneyland Paris in October and they had been granted it for her child who has dyslexia.

I was perplexed as in my opinion dyslexia is not a disability in the same way as for people who have much more serious struggles and are unable to queue etc.

She was delighted and said they can’t wait to be able to skip all the queues.

I know her child and they are perfectly able to queue! They attend mainstream school, can talk and be reasoned with.

i think this totally abuses the whole system and in fact makes it more difficult for children like mine who will likely never be able to live an independent life.

I’m still stewing about it now and wish I’d said something. AIBU?

OP posts:
TigerRag · 16/09/2026 15:58

I suspect as ever, there's far more to this which you're unaware of

Original poster
Canttalkinreallife · 16/09/2026 15:54

Lomonald · 16/09/2026 15:50

Yes this, it isn't a race to see who is most worthy of early entry or queue jumping.

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Oh well let’s just give it to everyone then eh!

And make actually disabled people unable to access the very things they were created for!

OP posts:
Lomonald · 16/09/2026 15:50

emuloc · 16/09/2026 15:02

Well if her child fulfils the criteria, to be given one,then it does not matter what you think, imo.

Yes this, it isn't a race to see who is most worthy of early entry or queue jumping.

truethetoadtold · 16/09/2026 15:49

As someone who is horrendously dyslexic if I or my dyslexic children fit the criteria then we sure as hell wouldn’t be using it. How damn stupid, bloody queue jumping for dyslexia. Perhaps they could spend some time in the queue practicing spelling or phonics or something that would help a dyslexic child. For gods sake the worlds gone mad

edited - for spelling… obviously 🤣

Kirbert2 · 16/09/2026 15:48

Canttalkinreallife · 16/09/2026 15:43

Why would anyone choose this as a wind up tool? If she’s flagrantly lying then she’s more deranged than I thought.

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Because even that seems more likely than gaining even a standard access card for dyslexia. Especially as you have to show evidence of access needs.

Original poster
Canttalkinreallife · 16/09/2026 15:47

Ablondiebutagoody · 16/09/2026 15:45

Everybody "abuses" the access card system. It turns a terrible day out into a good one without the need to pay for fast passes. Anyone who doesn't have them is a mug.

By “mug” do you mean a decent human with morals who don’t take the tiny things that help people with disabilities for themselves.

OP posts:
Original poster
Canttalkinreallife · 16/09/2026 15:45

RotatingPenguin · 16/09/2026 15:43

From the mother of a teen who "doesn't look disabled " MYOB. There are clearly issues with this child that you aren't aware of because you will be aware how difficult it is to get any sort of access card. You need evidence, not just a parent's say so.

Either he has issues you don't know about or she is winding you up. Given your attitude I suspect the latter.

Except she made it my business by gloating directly to me.

If she’s winding me up as I have a disabled child then she’s a complete dick.

OP posts:
Ablondiebutagoody · 16/09/2026 15:45

Everybody "abuses" the access card system. It turns a terrible day out into a good one without the need to pay for fast passes. Anyone who doesn't have them is a mug.

Original poster
Canttalkinreallife · 16/09/2026 15:43

Kirbert2 · 16/09/2026 15:28

I find it hard to believe that her child is eligible for it just because they have dyslexia.

Sounds like she was just trying to wind you up.

Why would anyone choose this as a wind up tool? If she’s flagrantly lying then she’s more deranged than I thought.

OP posts:
RotatingPenguin · 16/09/2026 15:43

From the mother of a teen who "doesn't look disabled " MYOB. There are clearly issues with this child that you aren't aware of because you will be aware how difficult it is to get any sort of access card. You need evidence, not just a parent's say so.

Either he has issues you don't know about or she is winding you up. Given your attitude I suspect the latter.

Original poster
Canttalkinreallife · 16/09/2026 15:42

Justploddingonandon · 16/09/2026 15:35

Are you sure her child only has dyslexia? My ASD DD attends mainstream school (admittedly with quite a lot of support), can talk and be reasoned with (to some extent) but she cannot queue. She understands how to queue and might look as if she can, she might even make it to the front of the queue but do that once or twice and she'll be melting down in the middle of the park.

Nope the child doesn’t have ASD or ADHD. She’s told me this before.

Weve had the kid round for a play date and there is absolutely no sign they’d have issues queuing/being in a busy space.

OP posts:
Original poster
Canttalkinreallife · 16/09/2026 15:40

Bleppington · 16/09/2026 15:27

Are you sure she didn't say dyspraxia ?

I can't actually believe NIMBUS would grant an access card for dyslexia. They're quite strict and ask for evidence, especially for the queue jump as that's the one the blaggers always go for!

Nope definitely dyslexia.

Im sure she wouldn’t have got the +1 as that was a challenge for us and we needed to send additional evidence from my son’s school to get that symbol - to prove he has a 1:1 there and will hurt himself if he gets dysregulated.

But perhaps was fine for a standard access card as Disneyland Paris accepts them all for the priority pass - they don’t need to have a plus one symbol on them.

But it’s crazy if so. This isn’t what they’re for

OP posts:
Anon9898 · 16/09/2026 15:37

I have dyslexia and have a job. In my job my dyslexia is classed as a disability and I hate it. I have challenged it before and was told it was because thata what the equality act says and there are adhering to it. My old boss said she calls it a disability as it affects her every day life. Mine dosent I find small things challenging but don't see me as having a disability. For me it's a learning difference or difficulty but definitely not a disability.

I think if it's severe dyslexia then maybe it could be I suppose but there are far more serious conditions that warrant a card then dyslexia does but I can only say it from my opinion.

I will say I have never applied for anything in relation to it and won't be anytime soon

Justploddingonandon · 16/09/2026 15:35

Are you sure her child only has dyslexia? My ASD DD attends mainstream school (admittedly with quite a lot of support), can talk and be reasoned with (to some extent) but she cannot queue. She understands how to queue and might look as if she can, she might even make it to the front of the queue but do that once or twice and she'll be melting down in the middle of the park.

ToadRage · 16/09/2026 15:34

I totally agree. I have an access card because I have mobility issues. How did she get one as you havd ti provide evidence of your disability and they have icons for different needs. I don't see how a dyslexic child would qualify for the queuing icon.

Kirbert2 · 16/09/2026 15:28

I find it hard to believe that her child is eligible for it just because they have dyslexia.

Sounds like she was just trying to wind you up.

Bleppington · 16/09/2026 15:27

Are you sure she didn't say dyspraxia ?

I can't actually believe NIMBUS would grant an access card for dyslexia. They're quite strict and ask for evidence, especially for the queue jump as that's the one the blaggers always go for!

Original poster
Canttalkinreallife · 16/09/2026 15:22

plasticplate · 16/09/2026 15:10

If the child is entitled to one then I can't blame her for getting one. The issue must be with the criteria.

I can!

People who merrily take things meant for disabled people should be ashamed of themselves.

Would you happily go in front of someone with a disability just because you could get away with it?

I wish I had said as much to her but I was too gobsmacked to speak

OP posts:
plasticplate · 16/09/2026 15:10

If the child is entitled to one then I can't blame her for getting one. The issue must be with the criteria.

Original poster
Canttalkinreallife · 16/09/2026 15:09

I’m astounded they give them out for dyslexia to be honest.

Frankly I find it offensive she was gloating about it to me when she knows I have a child who is actually disabled

OP posts:
ThaneOfGlamis · 16/09/2026 15:08

I can't think how dyslexia would fit into the access card symbols. At a stretch possibly the visual one if they accepted written language processing instead of physical sight loss. But disneyland Paris do accept all access cards regardless of the symbol. I doubt most places would.

TheJuryIsOut · 16/09/2026 15:08

I'm surprised she could get one tbh, they need to be more strict with them if they're that easy to get.

AmyDudley · 16/09/2026 15:06

My adult DS has fairly bad dyslexia, I've never considered queue jumping with him, nor do I consider him disabled (and neither does he), he has additional needs for sure, but not being able to queue or wait his turn isn't one of them.

Most kids get fed up in queues you have to deal with it unless your child has a genuine reason to need access, which you child obviously does.

But what can you do ? Some people will always take the piss, and think they are clever for doing so.

emuloc · 16/09/2026 15:02

Well if her child fulfils the criteria, to be given one,then it does not matter what you think, imo.

dancehysterical22 · 16/09/2026 15:01

Nope. Unable to queue as they have dyslexia? 😂

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