AIBU to ask at which point you ask for accommodations for your disability?

[RadarKey]

I have disabilities but I don't currently receive any benefits for them and haven't thought of applying for them but things are getting worse. I have nerve damage, I've lost some sensation due to Covid and my knees sometimes lock and I'm experiencing a lot of pain in my legs. I also have dyspraxia and autism(Both officially diagnosed)

I'm struggling to walk at times especially stairs, more so with downstairs but going upstairs can be difficult and painful too especially as I have dyspraxia and my depth perception is very poor so if there are a lot of stairs I struggle to see where one begins and the next ends and I start to stumble which is obviously dangerous.

I can generally use regular toilet stalls though sometimes need more room and something to grasp to lower myself.

I've been thinking of getting a radar key to use at times when I'm really struggling especially as in many places loos are upstairs with no lift access and it's a struggle to get up there and even more of a struggle to get back down. I'd only use it when necessary. If there's a suitable standard loo on the same floor I'd obviously use that.

So WIBU to get a radar key? And I'm curious to know when others started to seek/make accommodations for their disabilities?

TIA

With the greatest kindness, it sounds to me like you need to stop trying to be tough and accept that you need modifications to do the things that many people (the ‘able-bodied’) can do as standard. And that’s ok.

I am not classified as having a disability, but have two close relatives with potentially life-threatening medical conditions, managed with medication. Despite this being covered by EA2010, both are reluctant to class themselves as having a disability because they don’t feel that it materially impacts their day to day. Which is largely true, but they overlook, for instance, the fact that they do occasionally need time off school / work for medical appointments. And other small adjustments. Only because I put the exact phrasing of the exact subsection of the Equality Act under their noses, ran scenarios past them and pointed out that they are protected in asking for certain adjustments have they concluded that perhaps they should tick ‘yes’ to disability.

I have no experience of acquiring or using a Radar key, but it seems to me that you don’t need permission from others if you are already struggling.

Radar keys are easy to get on-line. I ordered one several years ago for my DS who has ASD and hated queues (don't we all). Now he's older, we manage fine. I gave mine to my parents who developed mobility issues.
https://shop.disabilityrightsuk.org/products/radar-key

I've got a disability and crawl upstairs on hands and feet. I can walk back down slowly one step at a time. I'm on PIP and have a blue badge. I know as I deteriorate, which I will, at some point in future I'll have to consider a bungalow. Make modifications to help yourself like getting rid of bath and installing a walk in shower and hand rails by front door. Councils will make you go through hoops to get even minimal modifications. If you're not receiving PIP and have a blue card I think they just turn your case down tbh.

You can get a radar key online.

You are disabled and therefore entitled to accommodations whenever you need them. It doesn't matter what other people think or what other people do, these are your circumstances and only you know how you are affected every day.
I'm telling you this bluntly because I'm also v likely autistic and prefer blunt answers!

I have a diagnosed mobility disability and got a radar key from Amazon which makes life easier for both me and my autistic DC.

I got a blue badge when I started to get worse with fatigue, and found that parking close to shops etc made a huge difference to my energy levels. I was told that if my own disability didn't qualify me for the badge, that I would qualify on the basis of my DC's autism and so I look at it that we both benefit from this accommodation.

I have recently qualified for PIP, which has meant I can reduce my working hours and I'm also considering if I can become self employed as I need to be very flexible around DC's needs as well as my own.

I doubt my friends and family realise the extent my life is affected by my disability, my own dad was shocked when I told him I'd got a blue badge (don't see him often). So as I say, if you feel you need support/,accommodations etc then definitely ask for or apply for them. We are allowed by law to have reasonable adjustments made in certain circumstances ie work so we must make full use of that.
Good luck

The time to ask is as soon as you need them, and that time is now OP.

It depends on how the disability affects you I guess ,my youngest son has severe autism and learning disabilities. he gets full.rates in DLA, we have a blue badge for him.and mobility car as he has severe mental impairment I used to ,I sometimes use the disabled toilets for him.when we are out and about
My oldest son was diagnosed with Diabetes a few months ago and his school made reasonable adjustments when he sat his GCSE,s allowing him to.have his phone on the desk in front him.as he has a Dexcom,and needs to be within six foot of it at all.time
And the college he's just started st have provided somewhere he can take his insulin in private
But generally he manages very well.

I have RA and POTS. I sometimes use the disabled toilets as I can’t operate the doors/locks properly or bend down to sit on a normal toilet. Because it’s not a visible disability I get people telling me off for using the toilets and I tell them that I have a disability and not to judge. If it would help you, do it.