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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think having a disability shouldn't automatically entitle one to free access?

86 replies

wannaBe · 31/08/2012 13:57

Have just been swimming at my local leisure centre.

When I arrived the woman at the desk said "are you registered disabled?" to which I replied "yes" and she said "oh, well in that case you go in free.

Now. I made my way to this leisure centre entirely independently. on a bus/down the busy high street - not with a dog but a cane as can't take the dog into the pool! Grin

I am a stronger/better swimmer than most people I know, can easily swim 80 lengths in an hour. Entirely capable of using the pool the use of which I was paying for.

Were I going to an exhibition of visual art I could quite see the point of not paying for it since I can't see it.

But I don't see why disability automatically equals free access purely because it's disability. That's hardly equality is it?

OP posts:
Original poster
wannaBe · 31/08/2012 14:48

but it is patronising to assume that because I have a disability I am on a low income. My dh is a higher rate taxpayer and I am setting up my own business.

I am entitled to DLA but DLA isn't means tested and in fact DLA for people with VI has recently been increased. But actually, it is argued that DLA is there to pay for things you might not have to if you didn't have the disability i.e. taxi's/adaptive technology etc.

I agree - make concession available to people on a lower income/carers of people with disabilities. I think it can be assumed that if you show up at a swimming pool without a carer then you probably are perfectly capable of using the facilities the same as everyone else.

OP posts:
Pagwatch · 31/08/2012 14:55

But to me, it is the same principle as child benefit sed to e.

People with disability are likely to benefit from exercise.mthey are likely to findit more ifiult than most to exercise. Many have reduced life expectancy that may be assisted by exercise.
They are more vulnerable a group than the mainstream population.

So giving them free access will help many.

Making it linked to income may make one embarrassed. It may well be expensive to administer. It would probably involve some who need help not getting it.

I don't need help for my on so I don't take it . I don't feel patronised when t is offered. I think 'get the hell over yourself. Your concern about being patronised is not more important than everyone who can get access to this incredibly beneficial service getting it'

Triggles · 31/08/2012 14:59

Yes, they may be perfectly capable of using the facilities however they may not be able to afford them regularly enough to benefit from them unless they are allowed free entry.

Personally I this is a bit of a storm in a teacup. If you don't want to utilise the free entry, then insist that you pay your way.

I don't think it is patronising. You do seem a bit quick to assume that IMO. It's just a simple policy, that is all.

threesocksmorgan · 31/08/2012 15:03

we got in free to a NT place the other day, the man looked at the 2 girls in wheelchairs and said "in sert school name" and said we could go in for free.
we said no we are not with that school, but they do go there... he still waved us through.
I wasn't patronised. was grateful, not only did it save me a small fortune(2 cares one disabled person in my "group")
but seeing as we couldn't access a lot of the place it seemed fair.
so I think it is best that places err on the side of caution, and op you should have just insisted on paying.

Cynner · 31/08/2012 15:06

I still have not figured out why you are so offended by free pass to swim? If you have the ability to pay a wish to do so, then by all means get out your bank card.

sixlostmonkeys · 31/08/2012 15:06

I think it can be assumed that if you show up at a swimming pool without a carer then you probably are perfectly capable of using the facilities the same as everyone else.

Cynner · 31/08/2012 15:10

Also seems a bit of boasting..all the " I can swim 80 lengths" and " can easily afford to pay"..I say swim and pay away...

spoonsspoonsspoons · 31/08/2012 15:13

I can see that the way they judge it isn't always logical. My OH has epilepsy and prefers that someone accompanies him swimming, it would be nice if the person accompanying him could go free, but as he doesn't claim anything he is not entitled to any concession.

NettOlympicSuperstar · 31/08/2012 15:14

I think they should have asthma dogs that are allowed in the pool, I could go swimming then, it could drag me along Grin

Bosgrove · 31/08/2012 15:17

My Dsis gets free entry to places as her DD carer. My 9year Dniece has diabetes and currently needs someone with her in case of problems, she has to pay for Dnieces entry though. Her husband also has diabetes and has to pay when he goes to places and as her can manage his own medication doesn't get a free carers entry.

We have been talking about this while we have been out this holiday as she was telling me that one of her friends whose son is dyslextic also gets his Mum in free to places as his carer, and gets to queue jump in theme parks.

I think it must be difficult for places to know where to draw the line with which disablity should get special treatment and which shouldn't.

MummytoKatie · 31/08/2012 15:20

Totally take the dog next time. And insist the dog gets in half price as he is under 16. Or maybe half price cos he is over 65 in dog years.(Even if he isn't.)

Cynner · 31/08/2012 15:22

Spoons, I too have epilepsy, and can not swim alone.By outward appearances, I am healthy.

Blu · 31/08/2012 15:27

Hardly anywhere gives free access solely on the basis of disablity!

I agree that it is patronising to autimatically assume that every disabled person is on a low income - they aren't.

However, there is endless evidence that being disabled is more expensive than being non-disabled in all sorts of ways so offering concessionary rates is a blunt instrument to make some small adjustment for the fact that it may have been a more expensive journey / taken longer (time is money) or involve other hidden costs.

Many times on holiday we took the car to places we would normally walk to, and even though DS had a Blue Badge to enable us to park in a big wide space, we still had to pay the astronomical parking fees.

Mrsjay · 31/08/2012 15:29

I am disabled i dont get in free anywhere I know I could get a concession for the swimming if i could swim Blush but not free ,

TittyWhistles · 31/08/2012 15:29

Swimming should bloody well be free to everybody.*

Wasn't that the plan a few years ago?

*not dogs. I do not want to share the baths with lollopy wet dogs!

Blu · 31/08/2012 15:29

one of her friends whose son is dyslextic also gets his Mum in free to places as his carer, and gets to queue jump in theme parks.

Really? Are you sure?

Triggles · 31/08/2012 15:29

And, unfortunately, this is where the bun-fight will begin. People will jump in saying this shouldn't be allowed, etc etc.

Honestly, if someone who is disabled cannot keep an open mind to the fact that the needs of others may be different from their own, then how in god's name will someone who is NT and not experienced in dealing with disabilities?

Mrsjay · 31/08/2012 15:31

one of her friends whose son is dyslextic also gets his Mum in free to places as his carer, and gets to queue jump in theme parks.

because he is dyslexic really are you sure ?

Mrsjay · 31/08/2012 15:32

who is NT

what does mean ?

NoComet · 31/08/2012 15:32

We have a lovely lady with MS uses our pool. I don't begrudge her getting free swimming at all.

As others have said can swim, but she couldn't walk far, run or cycle.

blondiedollface · 31/08/2012 15:34

My mum is registered disabled and most places she goes here, she has to pay, but a carer can go for free - therefore enabling her to go places that might otherwise cost too much. As for things being free I've not really heard of many places doing that but it would definitely benefit my mum as she has to fork out an awful lot of her income for adjustments and equipment to make her home more comfortable with regards to her disability eg. stairlift, wall handles, a suitable desk chair, a comfortable wheelchair etc.

I would suggest if you're not happy then pay!

Mrsjay · 31/08/2012 15:35

Op if you feel so strongly why didn't you pay ?

Blu · 31/08/2012 15:45

MrsJay - NT = neuro typical.

i.e no learning difficulties.

Triggles - Re the dyslexia: given the intracacy, detail and exacting standards of extra care demanded by of the DLA form and the high threashold for being able to claim , I would be very surprised if dyslexia (while being a very significant SEN) qualified anyone for the benefits that organisations generally use as a benchmark for concessions: the DLA letter or a Blue Badge.

Obviously if someone has some form of dyslexia which creates that level of disability then they are qualified..

But people do occasionally love to tell a scandalous story which demonstrates just how easy it is to live a life of riley....

Mrsjay · 31/08/2012 15:46

NT = neuro typical.

i.e no learning difficulties.

Oh ok you do know not all disabled people have learning difficulties though eh Smile

ReindeerBollocks · 31/08/2012 15:54

We get hydrotherapy free for DC1 however we will be privately paying for tae kwon do lessons and trampolining. I wouldn't mind getting these for free equally as we get higher rate DLA for DC1 then I don't really begrudge paying for it either.