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?

Yes, she pays full and gets a free carer's ticket. But in reality, she would expect to pay half and her "carer" pay half too.

@XenoBitch

Sometimes I go places alone and sometimes I go with another person. We will pay for a disabled person or adult (whichever the venue offers) and get the free carer ticket. So what?

Yes. As others have said, there used to be a register of disabled people, which was kept by the jobcentre. It had nothing to do with any entitlement to benefits.

There were certain jobs that were only allowed to be done by registered disabled people (from memory some car park assistants and lift attendants).

In addition, all employers were supposed to ensure that at least 3% (I think) of their employees were registered disabled. If they were under the quota they could be given an exemption to allow them to recruit someone who wasn't registered disabled. If I remember rightly, depending on the size of the employer they could be given a permit to employ up to eg 10 non-disabled people, so that they didn't have to ask every time they had a vacancy.

In order to get the permit, the employer had to prove to the jobcentre that they had tried to recruit a disabled person but been unable to, or that the job in question wasn't suitable for a disabled person.

I have a feeling that the jobcentre could insist that the employer interviewed and considered various disabled people from the register before granting the permit.

Disabled people didn't have to register, but employers sometimes put pressure on them to do so, because they wanted to be able to prove to the jobcentre that they were meeting the quota.

The person I know does not need a carer, or someone to go with her. She is just taking advantage of some of the benefits of claiming PIP. Can't say I blame her, but like I said in a PP... my best friend needs someone with her and was turned down for PIP so her carer has to pay too.

It's not just blind people though. It's all disabled children.

And as far as I understand it the devolved nations can choose their own approach. I believe Wales keeps a record.

It's not just blind people though. It's all disabled children.

Not aware of my DC being on any register, but even still, the discussion is as about those who have no register.

@XenoBitch

The person I know does not need a carer, or someone to go with her. She is just taking advantage of some of the benefits of claiming PIP. Can't say I blame her, but like I said in a PP... my best friend needs someone with her and was turned down for PIP so her carer has to pay too.

She can probably show a pic of her blue badge to get a free carer ticket, DH did this many times. Aside from that, it's not taking advantage to get a free ticket if you have an entitlement, which your friend does. I think you need to separate the 2 scenarios in your mind because putting 2 disabled people against each other isn't nice at all.

'Taking advantage of some of the benefits of claiming PIP"
This language is grim. Needing PIP means you need support. Of your own choice , PIP is money that people can spend on whatever they like. There are no "benefits' of claiming PIP. It's annoying and horrible to go through the assessments and most people would rather be able to cope without it.
People need it and to say 'taking advantage' is horrible.
It's to compensate you for your disability which makes your life cost more money and take more effort. It is rarely enough to cover most peoples disability needs either.
"Taking advantage'- another nasty ableist phrase I hate.

You have decided who is and who isn't disabled enough to use concessions you are expecting "that person you know" not to use a concession because you think they are "morally wrong" I mean come on have a word with yourself! Your Best friend needs to however hard and draining it is reapply for pip and appeal decisions.

I agree that you ARE disabled (as am I)
You are able to evidence that.
So you have protection under the Equality Act because you have that evidence.

Someone who self-identifies as disabled may not have the same legal protection because they don't have any evidence of a disability.

I agree that being registered on a list somewhere isn't required, I think some places use the term "registered disabled" to say that some evidence may be required.

If your needs are such that you need a carer then you should have access to some evidence of your disability. For most people, that would be a PIP claim.
Medical evidence is also an option. A Blue Badge or local authority registration are other options.

I WANT tourist type places to require people to provide evidence. Systems get abused when they don't.

But it's clunky terminology because it implies there is a register somewhere.

Hence why I changed all the policies I get to comment on to remove the term "registered".

Then she needs to re-apply with support from an organisation that knows how to make a claim. If she qualifies for a Blue Badge, then she must have provided evidence to support that claim, so she should meet the criteria for standard rate mobility at least.

fwiw @XenoBitch blue badge holders can usually get concession rates you just need a photo of the badge photo side up obviously so you can pass that onto your friend.

When I visited a Merlin attraction, I studied their website and applied for an Access card.

https://app.accesscard.online/apply/access-card/

I had to prove my specific limitations, such as standing or walking or use of a wheelchair, but this was easy for me to prove, as I have numerous letters from consultants that cover all the difficulties I have.

Is that Access card legally binding and/or widely accepted though? I remember being stung by the Citizenship card being touted as a ID card by councils and government instead of getting driving or passport, paying for it, and my DD still being refused. Not one company accepted it, from banks to pub bouncers. Absolute waste of money.

They're not. I've been asked for a copy of my PIP award or certificate of visual impairment

Plenty of places haven't even heard of it. Sure lots of big organisations have but it's just another gimmick by a private company to exploit disabled people.

I don't recall having to pay anything for the Access card, so not sure how it is exploitation.

Not sure how widely accepted it is.

They cost £15.

I've just been googling and I see it says that, but I'm pretty sure I didn't have to pay when I followed the link from the Merlin website. I'm sure I would remember as if I had been asked to pay, I would have been fuming. I will check my bank account however.

Short of someone applying, I don't think there is a way to prove it. (I'm not going to fill out the application again. 😂

ETA - just checked my bank account and I didn't pay for it.

How old is your ds with diabeties?
You can get pip for someone with diabetes if they need help.
Monitoring,calculating carbs,supervising injections and arranging for prescriptions all count as help.
Not just for children with diabeties but for adult too who may struggle with their own treatment.

@PeppermintParty

That's right you can do a part thing through the site for some organisations but the full card cost is £15

Posted too soon, what you are talking about it a feee pass done through access not the access card which does cost £15 and it absolutely exploiting disabled people.

Thanks @sondot that was my fear, especially after the citizenship card.