Alton Towers to remove disability pass for people with ADHD and anxiety

[AnitaRita]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gwgj4xreo
Too many people wanting to join the "Fast pass queue" so you actually end up with two queues rather than one queue and a fast entry! Got to agree with them - if you're too anxious to queue then a white knuckle ride is probably not for you!

@BlueandWhitePorcelain She would get RAP though with what i suggested as criteria either through hrm or blue badge.

Disney's advice for France or USA or one of the parks in Asia?

I know Disney USA now only give DAS to people "who don't understand the concept of queuing". We had to do a quick video call with them to get it for our last couple of trips. There is a lot if bad feeling over their policy as most people aren't eligable.

It might be considered the hardest by you, but I'm not sure everyone agrees with that. Either way, it's a very high bar. By insisting on high rate mobility, then you're closing the access door on most kids with cancer, fatigue conditions, and a myriad of debilitating physical conditions where their ability to walk and stand is severely impacted, but just not fully eliminated.

I don't have a problem with where the bar is set for high rate mobility, but I would have a problem if that is where it is set for access queues in theme parks.

If you read my original post i said, hrm, blue badge or social care plan. Not just hrm. Unfortunately, if you have a problem with that, that is your problem to do with as you wish not mine.

RAP shouldn't be given on dx alone.

As previously discussed though, it's incredibly hard to get a blue badge for kids based on physical disabilities alone, because that's tied to higher rate mobility. Yes, local authorities have discretion but often they choose not to use that!

What your criteria would mean is that yes some kids with autism, anxiety etc can get the passes (I have like no problem with this for the record), but a kid who has cancer can't.

It was on the Epilepsy Foundation website, which is an American organisation, so I guess the USA.

I don’t know what she understands about queues now. Her epilepsy is a neurodegenerative condition. She went from being like an immature 15 year old to a two year old, within ten months in her teens.

Boredom or inactivity are well known triggers for seizures, so even if she sat in a wheelchair for an hour or so, she could have a seizure and be in a state of impaired consciousness - ie no fit state to go on a ride; and she loves rollercoasters. She doesn’t have photosensitive epilepsy, so flashing lights are no problem.

Merlin have reversed the raps back to how it was.

I just read the email. Iy does look like they intend to change it again following a bigger consultation.

Something does need to change though. Too many pisstakers 🤦‍♂️

We would get the RAP anyway regardless for my DC2 due to a medical condition.

Ironically, DC1, who wouldn't qualify under their proposed changes, struggles far more with queuing!

I agree completely. I think they'll try RAP person +1 next but i don't think that'll reduce the queues if they keep the RAP places the same.

Alton Towers U-turns on plan to restrict disability pass https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gyggxv4no

Good. Though I suspect the U-turn had more to do with having been told they were breaking the law than anything else.

Yep. This is what happens now that everyone’s vying to get their kids diagnosed with autism/ADHD/anxiety. Now it’s spoilt for those who genuinely need the pass.

@Fulmine I think more likely it was the adverse publicity - I can't believe they wouldn't have had the legal aspect of it fully checked before announcing it. They said they were offering 'alternative reasonable adjustments' - it would probably take a court case to determine whether the adjustments were reasonable.

Or, possibly, Nimbus were faced with a deluge of people wanting a refund of the 'admin fees' for their cards and their legal bods had a word with Alton Towers - they must have some sort of contractual agreement with them.

If you have a physical disability you must score a minimum of eight points in the moving around category of the mobility assessment of PIP. Similarly for non physical disability you must score 10 points in 'Planning and Following Journeys' The bar is very high for the latter - claimants have to demonstrate overwhelming psychological distress. Both of these awards will automatically qualify the claimant for a blue badge. However, although blue badges can be issued for a maximum of three years, if PIP has been awarded for less than that, the blue badge will only be issued for the length of the award.

If your DD gets HRM on DLA she would qualify automatically for a blue badge. When she moves to PIP either 8 points in the moving around category, or 10 points in planning and following a journey would also qualify her.

There’s no evidence of any “piss taking” or spoiling for others whatsoever.

We have a family member who is profoundly disabled and has a RAP (can’t walk) and have never experienced any issues with queue length using the RAP.

Thanks
So can you quality for a blue badge without qualifying for the mobility part of PIP

Yes, you can. I have a friend who has a BB and is not on PIP. However, you need medical evidence.

Yes, if you don’t qualify for the required PIP mobility points you can apply direct to the LA who will carry out their own assessment and award accordingly. You can’t qualify for a blue badge via the daily living activities on PIP, only mobility - eight or more points for moving around, or specifically descriptor E, scoring ten points in planning and following a journey.

I don’t have money for a fast pass. He is autistic so if I do it once I I would have to do it every time.

But the main point… Why should I ? This is something that would make the park accessible for him , this is what equality is .

According to the BBC, Alton Towers have rowed back on the idea:

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2gyggxv4no

Yeah they have decided to stop it for now. I received this email from them the other day.

Dear Merlin Accessibility Community,

I wanted to take the time to personally write to this community. Let me start by saying thank you. So many of you have taken the time to share your thoughts, concerns, and personal experiences with the Ride Access Pass (RAP) over the past few days. As the people who rely on the RAP most, your voices matter deeply to us - and they are shaping the decisions we make.

Whenever we consider changes to the RAP, it’s because we genuinely want it to work better for the guests who need it most. And you’ve told us clearly, and with honesty, that the current system isn’t delivering the experience you deserve.

As part of our efforts to improve the RAP, we proposed a half-term trial with reduced criteria. But after receiving extensive feedback from you all, with diverse and opposing views put forward, we believe it’s important to pause and fully reflect on what you’ve shared. This means we will not be proceeding with the trial at this time, and we will continue to accept the Difficulty with Crowds access symbol for RAP while we explore alternative ways to evolve the system. For those who were impacted by our recent announcement, we are sorry.

That said, the pressures on the RAP haven’t gone away. The system is under huge pressure and it’s clear that we need a more sustainable long-term approach. To help us get this right, we are launching a fuller consultation involving this community, accessibility experts, and industry partners. This is a shared challenge across the sector, and meaningful progress will require working together

In the short term, some of the challenges you’ve been experiencing may continue. I know that’s not ideal, and I’m truly sorry for the frustration this may cause. Please know we are working hard behind the scenes to build a better, fairer approach — and we ask for your patience and understanding while we do that.

Our commitment to supporting guests with accessibility needs is unwavering. Today we welcome more disabled guests than ever before and continue to expand the adjustments and support available across our attractions. These measures are detailed here.

As our work progresses, we will continue to share updates. Thank you again for your honesty, your patience, and your continued partnership in helping us shape a better experience for everyone.

Rob Smith, Chief Operating Officer

Thanks. I looked at examples of PIP forms. DD1 would get 12 points on planning journeys - that in itself is beyond her comprehension. She could no more plan a journey, than I could do brain surgery!

"Thanks. I looked at examples of PIP forms. DD1 would get 12 points on planning journeys - that in itself is beyond her comprehension. She could no more plan a journey, than I could do brain surgery!"

12 points on planning journeys doesn't automatically qualify for a blue badge although many people will still qualify.