AIBU Proof of disability is fine ?

[Itsamission25]

My previous post was about an incident regarding daughter ( 9 in wheelchair ) being refused the wheelchair space on a bus in favour of a toddler in a stroller and a sleeping baby in a stroller.
anyway, I have tried to gain some online support regarding the company and also put in a complaint with the bus company but this has caused a debate about invisible illnesses.
apparently companies should not be allowed to ask for evidence of disability ? I find this a bit odd. There is certain things that annoy me now about this for example how anyone can buy a disabled toilet radar key, how sunflower lanyards ( I think ) are readily available for anyone so lose there authenticity I find.
now my daughter has a wheelchair - yes and has a physical medical device that is visible, however we still need to show evidence for things like blue badge / parking. Carers tickets / ride access at theme parks etc.
surely this is correct, I have never had an issue with needing to. If you took away the rights of companies or organisations being able to do this surely everything would just be abused ?

Yes absolutely ,totally agree with that!

@FloatingBean and you have no issue with having that ? Like having to say it’s disability stroller ?

I don't receive benefits. I don't meet the conditions for PIP, but I do have multiple disabilities. I normally manage them really well, but there are occasions where I need the priority seat on the bus, and I need to use a RADAR key that I bought off Amazon because I can't make it up the stairs.

Obviously, when I'm well, I always give up my seat to someone who needs it more, and I don't carry the RADAR key let alone use it.

Most decent human people are capable of agreeing when they need a tiny bit more consideration from society, and when they don't.

But op you're talking about radar keys. And proof for them.

How are you going to mitigate against disabled people being abused?

In the OP's bid to punish people without a disability, all they're doing is coming after people like me who have a disability, but aren't disabled enough to claim benefits.

That's not levelling the playing field. That's coming after a group of people who sometimes need a little extra support, just not always. We'll have our considerations taken away, and we'll be treated as if we're not disabled at all.

I don’t have a problem with it. DS1 is a teen, it is clear he has additional needs and that it is a SN buggy. He has a wheelchair too but prefers the SN buggy. We don’t often use public transport as DS1 struggles with it, but sometimes it’s necessary.

radar keys are a bit of a weird one I think in theory they just should exist
public toilets do now have locks on Main door that need opening.
the whole key on door is off when you don’t have to apply for them you just order one for like 2.00
they just really not needed and a bit pointless.

I am severely sight impaired and have registered with this site www.accesscard.online/ to get an access card which states what kind of adaptation or assistance I need. I have used it quite a bit and found it helpful.

Can I say it wasn’t my bid, I didn’t even comment in the debate I was asking opinions on the debate I didn’t actually say which what I agreed with
so keep making it up as you go along
the only thing I said I didn’t agree with was companies who provide carers tickets and access passes and blue badges should always be allowed to ask for proof !

@breakingintopieces I agree. I was just as disabled before I got pip and a blue badge.

I didn't agree with mask exemption lanyards being available for anybody to download on the internet. I think your DD should have had priority on the bus. This has been discussed a lot on MN in the past. I think proof should be needed for a blue badge.

Sorry for the typos, my phone screen keeps doing something dodgy ! Need to switch to laptop.

@Viviennemary I think it’s so hard to find a balance like the lanyards you are talking about. It’s like relying on people to be completely honest because people think people won’t take advantage and pretend to be disabled but unfortunately they do.
many concern with removing any companies right to ask for proof is a lot of companies would just take the accessible stuff they provide away .

I understand what you’re saying OP and I agree with you, though I also understand why some people might find it intrusive, depending on their condition so it’s a tough one.

However, I don’t mind showing the necessary information when applying for a carer’s pass at Alton Towers, or when we recently went to Beamish for example. I also use a radar key, though can sometimes manage without and will use the non accessible loos.

I do think it’s dependent on the circumstances of who’s asking for proof as well. Like the Alton Towers and Beamish examples are entirely understandable as my husband is essentially gaining access free of charge. Other circumstances, like using the disabled loos in Tesco, then no, you shouldn’t be asked. I was someone who bought my radar key off Amazon before I got my blue badge (which was for unrelated issues)..I got it for my IBS as there are/were times I literally cannot/couldn’t wait but I’d have had nothing to prove this at the time either.

But you’re correct in saying (well I think it’s what you were saying) that there shouldn’t be a blanket ban on all organisations being able to ask for proof.

They are not pointless for me. I am a semi regular disabled toilet user. I have a radar key and use it depending on the location of the ladies and what kind of day I'm having generally. That other people may have bought one they don't need has no impact.

@GeneHuntsCowboyBoots yes
the radar key thing is just a bit of a weird one
I don’t really care who comes out of a disabled toilets but what is the point in the radar key situation ? Like what are the doors locked with a lock that anyone can actually purchase haha they may as well just take the radar Key away.

Not pointless for me either and it sounds like I use it in a similar way to you. Sometimes I’m fine to use a non accessible loo, sometimes I’m not and it’s extremely handy when I do need to use it.

There are millions of people who haven't bought one though, so the key works. Not as strictly as you may want it to; not it definitely works.

@splilt sorry what I meant was that the radar system itself is pointless they don’t need the radar key not that disability toilets were pointless in general.
you would have access either way.

OP I completely understand what you were asking and not quite sure how so many posters have misconstrued your post. I agree that if you are expecting an additional concession such as free carer access, reduced entry fee or access passes at a theme park/attraction etc etc, then it should continue to be acceptable for the business offering the concession to ask for proof of disability. If that is stopped, then it's likely that businesses would simply stop offering those concessions.
Nowhere did the OP suggest that someone sitting in a priority seat on public transport should have to show any proof of disability. The radar key thing is an odd one like you said - I think it would be better just to leave disabled toilets unlocked. As my dc becomes more independent, they are likely to need to use the disabled toilets, but having to negotiate using a radar key to open the door (or having to ask for the door to be unlocked by a member of staff) might well make it much more challenging than if the doors were just unlocked to start with.

But less people have access than if there was no key.

But on what basis would they provide them? With proof or without?

Many places are now switching to access card. This is assessed separately and your needs highlighted on the card. You then don’t need to show personal information to strangers and they can see at a glance from the symbols what your access requirements are. As it also has a photo it stops people using PIP or DLA letters fraudulently.

Before I became a full time wheelchair user and instead was extremely prone to falls, I got asked for "Proof Of Disability" at a National Express.

This was 20 years ago or so

I replied with : "Would You Like Me To Walk Up And Down?"

He said "No, like a Blue Badge"

I said "If I had a car would I be getting a coach?"

He got a supervisor in the end

I heard someone at Alton Towers got declined an Access Pass because they failed to bring proof of disability. The person had no legs.

Make a copy of any official letter you have and present that.

Be really careful with the radar keys. Sometimes, the internal lock doesn’t work properly and anyone can open the door with a key whilst you’re on the loo. It’s happened countless times and I’ve had it happen to me. Sadly, I will only use it when I have someone with me to hold the door. It creates a huge barrier for me as I do need to use the disabled toilets but it’s a hidden disability