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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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!

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:

JaponicaTroggs · 31/08/2012 15:54

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.

Sorry don't believe this this. Have been to Thorpe Park and Chessington with autistic ds this year and we had to provide a GP's letter proving he has a condition where he would not be able to cope with long queues. It used to be policy that anyone getting DLA could get an exit wristband (ie someone without social communication difficulties) but they have narrowed the criteria.
He either has a lot more than dyslexia (wouldnt get DLA for that alone) or you've got it wrong.

Triggles · 31/08/2012 15:59

Blu - I didn't question the dyslexia, just the fact that this now opens it up for people to come in with "anecdotal evidence" ... I've filled out the DLA paperwork for my DS2 who is disabled. It took me ages, and I went through a lot of chocolate and wine to get past the stress it inflicted. I dread the renewal coming up next year as I hate doing all the paperwork, even though it's a necessary evil.

Blu · 31/08/2012 16:01

Sorry, Triggles, I misunderstood you.

I agree with the plague of 'anecdotal evidence'.

JaponicaTroggs · 31/08/2012 16:01

Oh and by the way, we don't get to "queue jump" in theme parks. You are given a card with a list of the main rides, if the queue for the Bubbleworks for example is an hour, we have to wait an hour to go on another ride, the only difference to anyone else being we don't stand in the queue and we get on at the ride exit.

Trickle · 31/08/2012 16:03

You get in for free

swimming is the ONLY form of cardio I can do, there isn't much subsidy here - I pay £22 per month same as everyone else and get to go whenever I want. I'd go more often but I need someone on dry land to help. My carer can go in for free, it's how I afforded to teach DH to swim

Triggles · 31/08/2012 16:04

Blu - no worries. I really was just noting that it will all go downhill from that comment on.

Blu · 31/08/2012 16:04

MrsJay - it wasn't actually me who used NT in my post - and of course not all disabled pele have learning difficulties - whoever said they did?

Blu · 31/08/2012 16:05

Triggles - to hell in a handbasket, and back again

RabidAnchovy · 31/08/2012 16:14

I heart Wannabe

Blu · 31/08/2012 16:18

I heart WannaBe, too!

Pagwatch · 31/08/2012 16:24

I think lots of us heart wannabe. There should be a t-shirt.

Mrsjay · 31/08/2012 16:29

MrsJay - it wasn't actually me who used NT in my post - and of course not all disabled pele have learning difficulties - whoever said they did?

Oh sorry

I googled Neurotypical and it is used to descibe non autistic people or people with LD so the website said , I sort of meant it shouldn't be used about all disabled people, eek I am tying myself in knots now again sorry to misquote

Socknickingpixie · 31/08/2012 16:56

where i live to go swimming if you are disabled you get a reduced price and so does your carer neither of you get in for free.

also if your a disabled child who is above 8 they can insist on you having a carer (has to be over 18) befor you can use the pool. a over 8 none disabled child is able to use the pool unsupervised by a parent/carer. so basicly if i take my 6 youngest children swimming i also need to take 5 other adults with me and all have to be paid for even if the cost is reduced for each one i pay full price the baby is free.

the only place i have ever got into apsolutly free (where none disabled people allways paid) is the cinema as each of my disabled children have a card that lets them take a carer free (card cost money as well as evidence and passport photos being required to obtain).

Socknickingpixie · 31/08/2012 17:01

forgot to add if it bothers you then pay full price - its that simple

FrothyOM · 31/08/2012 17:10

I can see the point of this if a person needs to take a carer. It may cost just as much to check who needs a carer as it does to let all disabled people in free. I don't agree with the OP although I can see where she is coming from because, as an individual, there was no reason for her to get in free.

SoleSource · 31/08/2012 17:37

You speak for ypurself. My blind DS loves to swim free. You do not have the right to apply your silly nptipns to all disabled people. My son has no speech and is totally dependant on me because of his Autism. After thirteen years of being very proud I have just realised I have paid for everything when tbhre was no need. Concessions for the disabled and Carers arenot very well publicised.

Blu · 31/08/2012 19:34

SoleSource - the OP started this thread as a discussion about equality - you disagree with her POV and have said so - it was a discussion, so very rude to call it a 'silly notion'.

DowagersHump · 31/08/2012 19:43

If you want to pay, then pay - just say 'no' if you're asked if you're registered disabled next time.

ilovemydogandMrObama · 31/08/2012 19:51

Are there statistics about the percentage of disabled people versus income as my understanding is that most disabled people are claiming income benefits, and not just DLA.

Love the idea of your dog going for a swim. My DD (darling dog) had a week hydrotherapy (on the insurance ) after his cruciate repair.

Horopu · 31/08/2012 19:59

On a complete aside, I think when the poster upthread used NT they were talking about the National Trust (makes more sense in that particular context).

bobbledunk · 31/08/2012 20:17

Most disabled people don't have much money so it's better for everyone that all are entitled to something for free that getting the majority to prove themselves 'poor' enough, which would be a hassle and humiliating for some people.

Blu · 31/08/2012 20:26

ILoveMyDog see here.

InkyBinky · 31/08/2012 20:35

YABU. I like nice simple blanket rules like this. It is easy to understand and doesn't require an interrogation of the person involved to see if they are eligible.

Triggles · 31/08/2012 20:56

Horopu - depends on which post you're referring to...if mine, I meant NT as in neurotypical.

multipoodles · 31/08/2012 21:04

I think in this instance NT is National Trust..

Our local swimming pool is free for disabled and I think that is probably because swimming is beneficial to those with limited mobility

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