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!

Wanted to chime in here. I have ADHD and have an access card, but it is for my POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). I have it because the blood in my body doesn't reach different parts of me, and I collapse, get dizzy and struggle for long periods of standing. I'm on heart meds, steroids and anti-spasm tablets and that illness is pretty debilitating.

When I got diagnosed, we really weren't sure if I would be able to work, be mobile, and do the things that I used to do (running). Going back to a theme park after getting this illness was a big thing because we weren't sure how the POTS would handle roller coasters. The access pass really took the edge off the visit because there was not as much queuing between each ride, and the booing system (not being able to go back on rides until the que time has passed) actually gave me a good bit of a rest between to recover.

It was really nice to be able to go to the theme park again as we didn't know that it would be possible when I got diagnosed.

That said, I can't see why I would need the pass for my own ADHD. I tend not to be able to focus so would prob ust be on my phone for the whole que. Not everyone with ADHD may be like me though and mine is pretty debilitating in normal day-to-day life.

They had to do something then didn’t they because the RAP was no longer functioning for people who need it because the access criteria were too wide. It cannot apply to everyone with a diagnosis of ADHD or autism because many of those people are able to queue even according to people on this thread. It will have to be on the basis of need and not diagnosis but who can decide that?

Exactly. So many threads about ADHD on here talk about time blindness and problems with executive function and how people struggle with all life admin etc. Then people talk about children with autism having a meltdown or needing to relax for a bit spontaneously. So somehow these people will be able to happily book slots when they are released and turn up to them on time? Will they get angry if they miss their slot? And start claiming that those with disabilities shouldn’t be made to stick to a time slot but everyone else should of course. Then we’re pretty much back to where we are now.

Objectivity is like common sense. Meaningless. My ADHD makes terrifying things easy but boring things hard.

It's impossible to apply NT objectivity to ND brains.

I think it’s good thing.

If you expand the criteria, everyone is eligible which renders the system useless.

Obviously they can leave the house. To stand in the queue.

So it was never based on just diagnosis, you'd need evidence (from a medical professional) for each criteria/symbol on the access card
So unless your husbands diagnosis report states he would have great difficulty with queueing then he would most likely not have been eligible.

But if the RAP queue is 30 minutes long or more because of the sheer volume of people using it, do you not still just have the same issue? Why is it only the normal queue that people can’t cope with but the long RAP would be fine?

it was always quite easy to gain a merlin pass with an autism diagnosis,
this has been a long time coming and probably over used.
unusually for me, I agree with the decision

I personally have never used these queues and to be fair haven't been to a theme park in years, but the queue would be difficult for me, the ride would be fine. Being anxious is not just being scared of something. It's the waiting that's the most anxiety inducing. The feeling of being stuck. I'm the same in long queues as in a traffic jam.

Anxiety is not being nervous, we all get nervous. Anxiety (for me) is finding it hard to breathe properly, racing heart, a feeling of fizzing all over my body which I fan literally feels going across my body, needing the loo every 5 seconds. It's digging my nails into my skin to distract my mind. All physical things. Not rational.

When I got my COVID jab I had to queue for about 30 minutes and I had to leave it twice to use a local toilet. Wasn't at all worried about the injection, but the queue was horrible.

Perfectly functioning member of society, haven't had a day off in over 9 years. Doesn't make my anxiety any less real.

Anxiety is not always about not being able to leave the house.

Myself and my daughter have diagnosed adhd and I wouldn’t expect to queue jump because of that

I stopped going to amusement parks after I took the kids and it took nearly two hours to queue up for each ride. I think parks are greedy and need to let fewer people in. Hey presto - problem solved!

One thing I never quite get is that anxiety disorders are treatable with a combination of SSRIs and CBT and ADHD responds well to stimulants so should that not limit the numbers of people needing adjustments for disability for these conditions because the impact can be lessened with treatment (not so for autism)?

we used to go on an inset day
or a wet day

If they let less people in they need to charge more to cover costs though so it’s not that simple.

I don't think some people realise how disabling autism can be for some people. Those with profound needs don't seem to be shown in the mainstream, and those are the individuals who will be missing out,

I’ve read a few studies that show it’s on the rise due to the phone social media computer side of life and the fact that we’re not evolved enough yet and that’s what’s causing the huge increase

so yoh might be on the right track

Quite!

Well, yes, they can. One provides physical sensations that are pleasurable and involve sitting down whilst firmly, reassuringly, secured for a short period. The other involves standing around for hours with loads of people all around, no comforting sensations, all of the noise, the heat/cold/noise/rain/sun and no apparent end in sight.

Good. No one likes queuing.

I do feel that people who are not being genuine have spoilt this for you (I know two families like this), they should be ashamed!

I only know a few people who use this pass and all of them are perfectly capable of queuing and just don't like to. "I can't queue because it's boring." Well, it is also boring for NT people and the vast majority of ND people who don't apply for this, but now have longer queues to contend with.

My experience of it is that it wasn't a virtual queue and the person we went with just walked straight to the front of every line with their "carer" who was actually just a friend who got in for free.

It was obviously unsustainable and was going to have to end eventually.

It's much much easier now than it was when we were kids- you can give them a tablet and a set of headphones if they are finding it stressful and boring. We just had to stand there.

They'll probably like it even less now when they have to queue next to autistic people on the verge of meltdowns, or loudly/physically stimming. Or not understanding boundaries and overstepping them as they're having to be next to others for hours in a queue...

I'm worried that this is the start of pushback on the autism diagnosis. I'm scared that other venues will push back also. My ds has profound autism, he will still get RAP even with the changes due to other needs as most will who are profoundly or severely impacted by their autism. People who have complex needs will likely have other needs that qualify for RAP.

That being said i appreciate the changes and think people were abusing the system. In addition the RAP was created for those with physical difficulties and who needed wheelchair access as the main queues couldn't accomodate them. These people can't even attempt the main queue or go into a different ride queue while the RAP is timing down.

RAP is a benefit or advantage above what people in the normal queue get. While waitiing fir RAP to count down you can ride other rides, eat or watch entertainment.

I've seen multiple facebook posts from people who only had the queue system or queue +1- i find it hard to believe that these people on suffer or have difficulties in their life in theme parks only. The system is abused. I've also seen posts telling people how to get a nimbus card so they can get RAP. I've heard people in queues gloating at how they get RAP for free instead of paying for fastpasses even though they shouldn't really have it.

Merlin are now trying to backtrack on these changes because of the pushback.

If you agree with the changes please email Merlin to let them know. Those who disagree are lobbying hard. Please email:

[email protected]