Page 18 | Are people just less tolerant of disability accessibility now ?

Takemeback02 · 2024-07-10T14:46:59+00:00

I have been raising a disabled child 11 years now and the first 5 ish years I never really dealt with many issues regarding to the assistance she received or disability access. the last 5 years has been a real struggle. Usually transport / theme parks etc most recently 6 of us went on holiday abroad to a European destination, 2 disabled children who require a lot of extra care with very high medical needs and equipment. We always check the hotels first and we speak to before choosing one that works for us. We picked a hotel that offered reserved disabled Sun beds. We arrived and they offered us 6 ( same as whole party ) but we told them we only needed 3. We chose ones away from the kids sections and to the side of the main pool, they were reserved everyday. They placed disabled badge stickers on the beds for the duration of our stay. I reckon there was 3 days out of 10 where we didn’t have an issue with someone taking them. Most would move on once asked but have a little moan as they did it and a few who got obviously very upset. one of the days was a nightmare, we were at the pool bar and physically saw a women tair off the disabled badge sticker and throw it on the ground. I put it back on before going to get the kids changed and when I got back lady was on bed and had removed the sticker again and lobbed it on the floor. I just feel the last few years there is an obvious difference in peopls Tolerance for accessibility or has it always been this way ? don’t get me wrong I know from the past actual accessibility had got far better but it just feels like it annoys people now.

ibelieveshereallyistgedevil · 22/08/2024 17:28

Gogogo12345 · 22/08/2024 17:09

But if you have an operation for example that will take you over a year to to 18 months to recover from and walk normally or have energy back then you are not eligible for a blue badge as you need to be having the problem last 3 years to get one.

So these people cannot " choose" to walk etc

Edited

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The rules for BB vary from LA to LA- that isn’t the case everywhere.

Also, disabled people haven’t been given an advantage in your example;

if you have to have been having problems for 3 years to get a badge, then by the time disabled people have been given a BB they have struggled for 3 years before they were helped- twice as long as the injured or ill people in your example, who are better after 18 months. Disabled people don’t get better.

Also, an injury or illness doesn’t necessarily meet the criteria of ‘disability’ so doesn’t have the same legal protections.

ibelieveshereallyistgedevil · 22/08/2024 17:31

est1980 · 22/08/2024 15:24

If you meet the criteria, you will get one. Mine took about 3 weeks to sort, not sure why that's relevant but as we're sharing.

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Mine took 10 days.

SerendipityJane · 22/08/2024 17:35

Blue badges aren't a magic wand.

I've just recounted in another thread 2 wasted journeys with a friend- 50 miles round trip - because when we got there, there really was nowhere to park. There are only so many times you can drive around an unknown location before the anxiety starts to kick in.

ibelieveshereallyistgedevil · 22/08/2024 17:38

est1980 · 22/08/2024 14:25

Surely not having a disability is an advantage? But Yes, you are right, the advantages of having an chronic illness or disability are endless...I was so very grateful when I got my diagnosis, the first thing I thought of was all the free parking I would get. 🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

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Where is all this free BB parking anyway?

In my town ALL parking is free(because there is bugger all here) - but in the next town where you go to the doctor/gp/shopping etc BB parking costs the same as all other parking.

I travel a fair bit and can only recall not paying for parking once in the last few years.

ibelieveshereallyistgedevil · 22/08/2024 17:39

Gogogo12345 · 22/08/2024 14:16

But does the car park at £15 still charge the same for everyone? So if colleagues chose to park in it they'd also be ripped off? ( Sounds very expensive btw) They may need to carry heavy stuff or find it difficult to do the walk but not have a blue badge.

What about if there is one car park in town like where I live? Blue badge holders are free and everyone else pays. ? Why?

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There is a difference between equity and equality.

SerendipityJane · 22/08/2024 17:44

I have lived in a couple of areas that went from free to charged BB parking. In both cases the abuse dropped quite markedly.

The best example is a privately run car park for a nearby hospital. They went from free BB parking (which was about 25% of the total spaces) to having to go to a booth with the real BB (no copies) to get a card. There are cameras on the exit to check the person the BB applies for is actually in the car.

Apart from the queues for a few days where cars suddenly had to pay, the abuse has dropped and there is always free space now.

It is entirely possible to easily police BB parking, if the political will is there. So in cases where it's badly managed, it's because there is fuck all interest in it. And yes, I have made that point in that manner. No point being old otherwise.

ibelieveshereallyistgedevil · 22/08/2024 17:48

disorganisedbadchaos · 22/08/2024 17:26

When we’ve gone to theme parks the queue pass has just permitted me, DH, disabled DC and his sibling. I have never witnessed one disabled child taking a party of uncles/aunts/cousins/grandparents through the fast queue.

If it did happen chances are they have paid separately for regular fast-track passes.

I’ve never known it either- we can get me, ds and my DW through because both me and DS are ND and physically disabled- we make do with one carer between us.

No where we go allows multiple adults through with one disabled child unless the the child meets very strict criteria for needing 2x carers.

brunettemic · 22/08/2024 18:04

ibelieveshereallyistgedevil · 22/08/2024 17:16

If you aren’t disabled you pay for a family day out, and can spend the day with your family.

If you are disabled you pay for the same family day out but can’t spend the day with your family because they aren’t allowed on the ride with you… so you queue with one companion in the accessible queue and the rest of the family queue separately in the main queue.

Then all the ignorant people bitch, moan and tut at you because they think you have something they don’t 🤦‍♀️

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If you read the history the example I was giving was airport security…not my idea of a family day out but each to their own.

ibelieveshereallyistgedevil · 22/08/2024 18:16

brunettemic · 22/08/2024 18:04

If you read the history the example I was giving was airport security…not my idea of a family day out but each to their own.

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I missed that, I was in theme parks in my head.

I imagine it’s easier for airport staff to keep parties together than deal with a load of disabled people separated from the people they need to be with.

Either way, looking at someone disabled, seeing something that makes their experience of life slightly more equitable with able bodied people, feeling jealous and wanting to take it away because ‘it’s not faiiiiiiiiir’ isn’t indicative of a decent human.

Sirzy · 22/08/2024 18:40

If DS was split from his travelling party when going through customs that would throw him completely - he would panic that they would be left behind or that there would be a problem.

he also needs at least one person either side of the security scanners in order to get him through.

much easier to keep the whole party together

Noras · 22/08/2024 18:51

Sirzy · 22/08/2024 18:40

If DS was split from his travelling party when going through customs that would throw him completely - he would panic that they would be left behind or that there would be a problem.

he also needs at least one person either side of the security scanners in order to get him through.

much easier to keep the whole party together

Many counties don’t keep families together and we were separated from DS and DH as he was fast tracked. DD and I quite enjoyed the time together in the queue having a quiet chat but DS was distressed by it.and DH had a rough time … that was Cancun it’s very strict there.

Noras · 22/08/2024 19:01

I think that to make many places truly accessible extended hours or twilight visits would be good. These theme parks think that are accessible but they are not really as they are just not accessible for many people due to the thousands of people that are there. A 2 hour quiet session would be really good.

I accept that my son will never again go to a theme park or ever go to a football match - it just can’t happen. The same goes with large concerts these things just can’t be accessible so the few occasions we can use the adaptations they make eg free companion etc is great

until we had a personal assistant for him our lives were a load of places we could never go. It’s been great this year to be able to go to concerts with DH - I have felt imprisoned for years.

I would love 2 premier football clubs to do a match for disabled kids / adults not with no shouting, roaring and screaming etc and fewer numbers. It would be truly amazing for some kids / young adults to have the expedience of that. It will never happen. The trouble is that even people who could go in normal times ( in the disability access area ) would also want tickets.

Sadly football clubs think that by having a dedicated area it makes them accessible - for some disabilities and not others even with ear plugs/ noise cancelling etc.

I wish that the Tower of London and places like that did quiet visit hours.

CassandraWebb · 22/08/2024 19:16

Noras · 22/08/2024 19:01

I think that to make many places truly accessible extended hours or twilight visits would be good. These theme parks think that are accessible but they are not really as they are just not accessible for many people due to the thousands of people that are there. A 2 hour quiet session would be really good.

I accept that my son will never again go to a theme park or ever go to a football match - it just can’t happen. The same goes with large concerts these things just can’t be accessible so the few occasions we can use the adaptations they make eg free companion etc is great

until we had a personal assistant for him our lives were a load of places we could never go. It’s been great this year to be able to go to concerts with DH - I have felt imprisoned for years.

I would love 2 premier football clubs to do a match for disabled kids / adults not with no shouting, roaring and screaming etc and fewer numbers. It would be truly amazing for some kids / young adults to have the expedience of that. It will never happen. The trouble is that even people who could go in normal times ( in the disability access area ) would also want tickets.

Sadly football clubs think that by having a dedicated area it makes them accessible - for some disabilities and not others even with ear plugs/ noise cancelling etc.

I wish that the Tower of London and places like that did quiet visit hours.

Edited

I agreed and not must for people with ASD/sensory issues etc

I took my children to the Roman baths in my wheelchair and I saw was other people's bums. Noone seemed to want to let me through to have a closer look. The building had lifts, accessible toilets etc but it was all meaningless because the place was so busy.

est1980 · 22/08/2024 19:58

I wish i had the money and perks non disabled people think I get

est1980 · 22/08/2024 19:59

ibelieveshereallyistgedevil · 22/08/2024 17:28

The rules for BB vary from LA to LA- that isn’t the case everywhere.

Also, disabled people haven’t been given an advantage in your example;

if you have to have been having problems for 3 years to get a badge, then by the time disabled people have been given a BB they have struggled for 3 years before they were helped- twice as long as the injured or ill people in your example, who are better after 18 months. Disabled people don’t get better.

Also, an injury or illness doesn’t necessarily meet the criteria of ‘disability’ so doesn’t have the same legal protections.

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You don't need to have been having the problem for 3 years at all

Original poster

Takemeback02 · 22/08/2024 20:02

ATenShun · 21/08/2024 22:30

Of course they may not have any adaptation. Without knowing the full set-up and basing it purely on what is in the OP. I read it as somebody who is asking for preferential treatment based on want rather than need. I'm willing to bet if those sunbeds were in a less desirable position & further back from the pool nearer the building, they wouldn't be taken by others. That would be my suggestion to the hotel operator.

She also describes being at the bar and watching her unused sunbeds being claimed. I'm willing to bet most of us have been in that position. Sitting silently seething as we sit on a plastic chair or lay on a towel while somebdy has claimed beds that they aren't using.

The party in the OP post sound like they have able bodied among them (4 able bodied adults/children 2 children with disabilities) to do the sunbed dash, which in itself is hilarious to watch and often done by people who only then appear after lunch.

How many of those other holidaymakers would be unable to lie down on a towel. I couldn't due to knee issues.

Obviously cannot speak in this instance any more than you can, but the likelihood is that toilets and other facilities will be less likely to be next to the pool. Likewise access to those beds are more likely than not to be more difficult than beds set further back as example.

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I was at the bar because that’s where you get drinks from- are you expecting people to not drink in the heat all day because they have a sun bed ? Or just the disabled ones ?

if was a need not a want - we did not care where the sunbeds were located as long as we had space to take DD back to who has Mutiple life saving tubes.

OP posts:

est1980 · 22/08/2024 20:02

ibelieveshereallyistgedevil · 22/08/2024 17:38

Where is all this free BB parking anyway?

In my town ALL parking is free(because there is bugger all here) - but in the next town where you go to the doctor/gp/shopping etc BB parking costs the same as all other parking.

I travel a fair bit and can only recall not paying for parking once in the last few years.

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It's random but definitely getting less and less free bb parking. I think they've decided the chore of going to thr machine isn't a thing anymore as you can pay by phone

est1980 · 22/08/2024 20:05

ibelieveshereallyistgedevil · 22/08/2024 17:31

Mine took 10 days.

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Show off lol 🤪😂

ibelieveshereallyistgedevil · 22/08/2024 20:09

est1980 · 22/08/2024 19:59

You don't need to have been having the problem for 3 years at all

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You don’t where I am, but I couldn’t be bothered to check every LA so just took her word about her area.

ibelieveshereallyistgedevil · 22/08/2024 20:10

est1980 · 22/08/2024 20:05

Show off lol 🤪😂

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preens 😀

ATenShun · 22/08/2024 20:10

Takemeback02 · 22/08/2024 20:02

I was at the bar because that’s where you get drinks from- are you expecting people to not drink in the heat all day because they have a sun bed ? Or just the disabled ones ?

if was a need not a want - we did not care where the sunbeds were located as long as we had space to take DD back to who has Mutiple life saving tubes.

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Thank you for your reply. It was because you said somebody removed the stickers while you were at the bar, so I thought they were unattended.

FranceIsWhereItsAt · 22/08/2024 20:15

EllenLRipley · 10/07/2024 18:05

A woman pushed me on a plane in Feb, actually pushed me. None of us can go anywhere because the aisle was blocked with people putting things in the overhead bins. I said "could you be careful, I have MS" and she replied "Well I ain't got nothing and if you're a crip you need to get out of my way"
The cabin crew did nothing. Nothing at all.

OMG! This is absolutely DISGUSTING! However, I'm not surprised cabin crew did nothing, as having gone on a flight with Ryanair a while back, (I am disabled), when boarding I was told by a member of the cabin crew, that I must take the window seat. I asked her why, and she looked rather sheepish. I quickly cottoned on, and said 'Oh, I get it, it's because I'm disabled, and you think I might slow others down if we had to get out, but it's OK for me to die, is that it? Very shamefaced, she admitted that that was basically the case! Imagine how THAT made me feel!

Gogogo12345 · 22/08/2024 22:49

ibelieveshereallyistgedevil · 22/08/2024 17:28

The rules for BB vary from LA to LA- that isn’t the case everywhere.

Also, disabled people haven’t been given an advantage in your example;

if you have to have been having problems for 3 years to get a badge, then by the time disabled people have been given a BB they have struggled for 3 years before they were helped- twice as long as the injured or ill people in your example, who are better after 18 months. Disabled people don’t get better.

Also, an injury or illness doesn’t necessarily meet the criteria of ‘disability’ so doesn’t have the same legal protections.

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The disability has to be expected to last at least 3 years. Not that someone has struggled for 3 years previous

I know that's the rules in Essex.

est1980 · 23/08/2024 16:28

ibelieveshereallyistgedevil · 22/08/2024 17:28

The rules for BB vary from LA to LA- that isn’t the case everywhere.

Also, disabled people haven’t been given an advantage in your example;

if you have to have been having problems for 3 years to get a badge, then by the time disabled people have been given a BB they have struggled for 3 years before they were helped- twice as long as the injured or ill people in your example, who are better after 18 months. Disabled people don’t get better.

Also, an injury or illness doesn’t necessarily meet the criteria of ‘disability’ so doesn’t have the same legal protections.

Show quote history

I've never heard if a 3 year rule-rhe badge is awarded for 3 years, they might want the condition to be likely to last fir those 3 years, but you don't have to be disabled for 3 years to get one. The fact it's a condition that you can or will recover from will like mean it won't qualify.

est1980 · 23/08/2024 16:33

Noras · 22/08/2024 16:14

I could get the theme park thing if they did a morning at least when it was low crowds disabled only. That makes sense. Or if people did a day when it was completely uncrowded eg a Monday in school term. But for instance going on a Saturday in August and then wanting to avoid the queue - what’s the point - the place is overall heaving.
those 2 rides of 10 minutes are suffered for with 7 hours of crowds, smells, noise etc

I am not saying all ASD is the same - clearly it’s not.

I can’t distinguish from a crowded throng on a path and a queue. So as a way of example of you had to queue to see the king jt would be challenging but the argument seems to be that it’s not challenging to walk down Pall Mall on Coronation day to see the King ( as it’s not a queue just busy ) and you might just might be able to find a quiet spot for 10 minutes that has 6 chairs for thousands of people and you seem content to risk it despite the chances of getting into that quiet spot are remote given the sheer numbers of ASD people there are likely to be there also wanting to see the King.

Back to my analogy I would not dispute that those 2 minutes seeing the King are joyous I just don’t understand how you can mange the wall to wall slow moving throng of thousands of people but not the queue. The whole thing experience surely is one large queue in its way …

a 6 seats in a quiet zone to serve all the likely hundreds of people with ASD who have different types of ASD that means they can enjoy theme parks is not a lot. What happens if this is also crowded? That’s a huge gamble to go there is it not? And for what ? 2 or 4 rides?

I can even get it if you go to a really busy place but have a SEN camp in the centre eg a festival. Disability groups I know do that but they don’t tend to then wander around except really briefly - that area is their shelter/ island where they all stick together.

but a theme park you have to walk around in the same crowd you are trying to avoid by not queuing.

I mean Thorpe Park is heaving and even none SSn people find it all unpleasant

It seems as crazy to me as taking my DS to NY - he loves travel but we know it’s going to be sheer hell and no accommodation can make that better.

Perhaps just because you have ASD not every needs to skip the queue because as people keep saying when you see someone with ASD you have seen someone with ASD so equally when you see someone with ASD who needs to skip a queue you have seen someone with ASD who needs to skip a queue - maybe not all do. I just think of someone can go to Thorpe Park on a Saturday in August and manage to just get through the entry way ..:

And if you have no sensory need but just trouble with communication eg pragmatic language or semantics / receptive that does not stop queueing. It’s the sensory issue that are the problem in this context

So my DS qualifies for a blue badge but I don’t have one as we don’t need it - as I can escort him door to door but when he does need it o will get one.

Just because you qualify does not mean you need to use it.

Edited

Why exactly do we have to make sure YOU agree that certain people need to not q. If you don't understand that's on you. Do some research to learn about all the different was nd can affect people. But this we I could understand bit if this, or my dc couldn't manage that is just a load of waffle at this point. You don't understand how my son could cope with being in a theme park, but is unable to q for a long time-so in that case I'm playing the system because it just doesn't make sense to you? Do you hear yourself?