For finding the term "registered disabled" annoying?

[BobbyBiscuits]

As background, I worked on behalf of the DWP for 15 years, and one project was developing the process/ forms etc for DLA to PIP transition. It was not a nice workplace but I really enjoyed speaking to the clients and getting their voices heard. (I was too junior for any decision making and simply interviewed clients in view to designing the forms etc)

After a MH breakdown, I found myself in the same position as my clients and now claim both PIP and ESA. I have MH which has now generated PH issues. My family are also on same/ blue badge etc.

For some reason recently this terminology has been annoying me...I hear a lot of people describing themselves as "registered disabled'. Why not just say 'disabled'?

This is a voluntary self reporting scheme that some councils offer. There is no such thing in any meaningful terms. Disability is a spectrum and how if affects each person is very different. I hate the benefit system and am not advocating it but get frustrated when people use this terminology as it's meaningless.

There is no register of disabled people, and it's really misleading. It can muddy the waters when people seek help.

I'm not blaming disabled people, but whoever started the terminology.

Any thoughts on this?

If you're interested in registering from a personal perspective just ring your local council/check their website.

@Willyoujustbequiet The GP has me down as carer but it only gets me an annual flu jab. There isn't anything else in for people like me!

Like I said, my local council doesn't have a register, and nowhere I've ever lived has one.

That's why I'm curious as to whether you had actual statistics as to how many councils in the UK have one, or whether "most councils have one" was just an assumption based on the fact your council does.

No, it's not just an assumption based solely on my council. It's my career experience as mentioned and I worked with a large number in decades in local government.

But you can also see from numerous replies saying similar.

I'm not sure your council can strategically plan effectively without such information but you will have a local carers association and your GP will also have a register too.

The term irritates me too.

The criteria for disability concessions varies a lot. For example a lot of attractions require proof of PIP/DLA. Lots of disabled people are not in receipt of PIP. I am but DH isn't. Some places he can get concessions as he has a disabled person's bus pass (he is medically unfit to drive due to his disability). However, most require PIP and DH is reluctant to apply after seeing me only get LRM (at mandatory reconsideration) despite what he sees as a more substantial disability.

There will be many people like DH who slip through the cracks without PIP. I was one of them until I was awarded PIP last year and I've been disabled since birth.

GPs have a register for people with severe mental illnesses so it's not just physical illnesses that can be associated with a register.

I'm disabled due to mental illness and I think I would find the term registered disabled validating but in 10 years of being disabled by mental illness and nearly 20 years of being mentally unwell it's the first time I have heard the term. I appreciate the inclusion of severe mental illness on qualifying criteria for COVID vaccines as my mental illness does have an impact on my physical health and vice versa

I believe every council must keep a register of disabled children but if most are like mine I doubt they have a clue . I think you can choose whether to be on it or not too so even if they have one I doubt they are remotely accurate.

Have you had a carer's assessment from your LA? We had a number of adaptations that made life easier. They also provided a new lap top.

My local carer's association has been fantastic. They paid for a holiday and a gym subscription. I can't praise them highly enough. It really helps to know you aren't alone and there's always someone to lend an ear.

You can get a free ticket to most attractions now too - theatre/cinema/stately homes etc..

I hope you can get some support. Unpaid carers are the backbone of this country really.

Buying a card from a private company is no form of disability registration though.

I have never heard of this, how would they know mr DC are disabled?

@Willyoujustbequiet

MY children are disabled. One at special school. But the LA is refusing to do a carers assessment (and if they do, they have are under no legal obligation to provide any support if the disabled person is under 18). So we go without help.

"You can get a free ticket to most attractions now too - theatre/cinema/stately homes etc.."

Which can be done if the disabled person provides proof. When I've got a carer ticket for my friends they've never been asked for proof; only I have

DS is disabled according to university, gets accommodated accordingly but not disabled by PIP standards, despite being in a different situation to most of his peers as he lives at home becsue he needs the support. PIP is batshit at best, the whole things needs reworked but when that time comes it will only leave more people like your DH, it isn't going to improve any.

DD has additional needs she can provide NHS letter as a proof of diagnosis etc. I don’t like the expression “registered disabled” , it doesn’t make sense to me as everyone pointed out there is no such register, she is disabled or as I prefer she has additional needs.
I can provide official proof if it’s needed but it’s not a register, it’s not like taxi which has a number and registered at the council . There is no number for teen pizzaheart and her disability.
But I wouldn’t pay attention on forms tbh , I would tick whatever means that her disability is noticed, I consider it’s just s poor semantic. Blind and visually impaired people are registered and have certificates with numbers so it’s different for them .

I hate the term too, there isn’t a register of people who are disabled. Some councils may have to keep a number on disabled kids but since there isn’t funding for even the basics it’s not going to do anything in the real world. It’s not like they reach a certain peak and goverment hands them over extra cash.

I often hear it said on the radio like some kind of pride and validation. I have a disability you know a proper legit one. Though I do have to tick it on forms if I need access or permission to tell them about my disability. These days it’s either DLA/PIP or a blue badge for older people. Which excluded loads people who can’t claim it but who are still disabled.

That's a disgrace. I would look to challenge as you appear to have a legal right but I appreciate it can be like banging your head off a brick wall.

I'd also raise it at the EHCP review and ask for it to be included.

https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/practical-support/carers-assessment/

Well l am " registered " disabled on my local council list.. so l got a stair lift.. a wet room and hand rails and my steps lowered.
I'm " registered " disabled with my engery provider which provides extra help if there is power cuts.
I'm " registered " disabled for when l fly to get assistance with getting onto the plane via a lift.. because l can't manage the plane steps.
I'm " registered " disabled with my landlord.. for extra help with almost anything.
Maybe ask these providers to see their registers because they do exist.

I'm on those registers too but they mean nothing. You couldn't use them as proof to other organisations that you're disabled.

Can't speak to the others but the council register has helped in getting us support both with the council itself and the NHS. Also for a blue badge.

Well l am " registered " disabled on my local * council list.. so l got a stair lift.. a wet room and hand rails and my steps lowered.*

We have had the OT assessment and subsequent work done through the council but I never realised that meant being on a register

I'm " registered " disabled with my engery provider which provides extra help if there is power cuts.

I have signed up for this too, again didnt consider a reason to say 'I am registered disabled'

I'm " registered " disabled for when l fly to get assistance with getting onto the plane via a lift.. because l can't manage the plane steps.

For me that's just a matter of booking assistance when travelling and if you don't book it you won't get it,

I'm " registered " disabled with my landlord.. for extra help with almost anything.

We are homeowners so I don't know how it works but my nanna had rentals that I worked with a few years ago and we had no such register

Maybe ask these providers to see their registers because they do exist.

I absolutely will be because I didn't realise asking for an assessment or assistance meant you were placed in a register.

None of these things are compulsory though and as such wouldn't help any 'general' register of disabled people.

Most councils have a register of disabled people. It is not a national scheme.

Can't speak to the others but the council register has helped in getting us support both with the council itself and the NHS. Also for a blue badge.

It's the council that issue blue badges so they would surely expect the same proof from anyone, whether that are in their register or not?

Where do they get it?

So many people, myself included, have no idea this exists

You google how to register as disabled with xx council and it will tell you if there is a scheme for that council.

Dc wasn't entitled automatically so we applied based on evidence which included proof we were already on their register.

It's not compulsory but it helps.