To be utterly, utterly appalled by Nimbus/Access card registration?

[JelliedFish]

Personal information about my child’s disability is sensitive. I’ve already shared documents/proof with DLA.

In order to register for an Access card, I need to share details again. Photographic copies of doctors letters etc are requested.

Surely the government DLA/Carers allowance letter is sufficient proof already?

Then we come to the +1. This is very ambiguously worded, but it seems that different venues have different criteria as to what counts as a ‘+1’. Meaning that some venues acknowledge you as a carer, and others don’t. Therefore some give you free entry as a carer, and others don’t offer this as they have specific wording to ‘wriggle out’ of acknowledging your role as a carer.

But my biggest problem is that they try and persuade you to pay £15 to register with them!

So surely, they are making a business out of people with disabilities?? Why do you need to ‘prove’ your disability again for their business?

This just seems so wrong to me!!

I hadn't heard of this before, OP, and am going to apply. Thank you.

I can totally see why they require hard evidence of limitations. As they explain, the card advises venues of very specific requirements. Simply "being disabled" isn't enough to let providers what you need.

Their website explains:

It is important to be aware that our decision-making is based on principles of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and local legislation, and we help you communicate the types of reasonable adjustments you should be legally entitled to.

This is not the same as other decision-making systems you may be used to such as claiming disability benefits.

Sometimes we may not award the access requirement that you might expect - for example:

• Not all people that need a level of support reach the threshold of legally being entitled to adjustments such as free/reduced rate companion tickets
• Not all people that use an accessible toilet will qualify for the WC symbol
• Not all assistance dogs reach the threshold of evidencing an appropriate level of training to say that they can perform their jobs in otherwise hostile environments
• People that can stand and queue but face other barriers that might otherwise make queuing difficult might find their needs represented with symbols and adjustments other than the standing and queuing symbol

For this reason, the threshold for making decisions is high and each adjustment we consider must have an appropriate description of need and supporting evidence.

---

If it isn't rigorously executed, anyone feeling they deserve special treatment could get one and venues wouldn't take them seriously.

As far as I can see, this isn't a government benefit and I think £15 for 3 years is very reasonable.

I agree OP. I think it’s appalling.

The £15 is so it can be used for multiple places rather than having to apply for it individually each time you go somewhere new.

Companies don't have to accept the nimbus card either.

So many people are applying for the card, so yes proof of disability and how it impacts the person is needed.

I've got one for my son and haven't had any issues with using it. Is it hard to once again have to justify why my child deserves this? Yes. But there's been too many people who have taken advantage of it so I can understand.

@Garlicbest

Yes that side of it makes sense.

But - I’m just in the process of applying for one and yes toilet access acknowledged, queue assist acknowledged.

But the +1 is very, very ambiguously worded. I don’t like any ‘monetisation’ decisions influencing a decision as to whether you are a carer or not. Some venues will say you are, some will say you are not. That’s not right??

And the £15 just feels iffy to me. I had an option to pay/or not to pay it : if I registered with just one venue.

I don’t know why this needs to be centralised by a company. And who am I sharing my child’s sensitive information with?

@Notadoormat4
@Garlicbest

I’m just copy/pasting a review from Trustpilot I’ve just read. Seems to share my view!

“Now one place I visit has requested access cards, whereas everywhere else just accepts what you have. I’ve just paid £15 (which the evidence I have works and is free anyway) to be told I don’t qualify for the plus one.

Now asking for extremely confidential information which they are NOT entitled to under the equalities act. I’ve given them so many letters etc to prove I need a plus one but these aren’t supposed to be seen by random companies.

I wouldn’t even bother with this card EVERYWHERE ACCEPTS your free evidence. I just won’t be able to access that one place

EDIT: I have now provided them my blue badge, benefits, over 10 letters from drs. Apparently that is not enough. Do other people jump through hoops to visit one place? No therefore this is not equal access at all.

They are also asking more information than anyone else including the DWP. I now cannot access this place at all which is therefore AGAINST the equality act 2010.

I have now lodged a complaint with EQUALITY AND SUPPORT ADVISORY SERVICE. I encourage anyone else who is having the same problem to do the same.”

@JelliedFish, I read the information about +1s because of your post (I don't need a carer). It explains that the reasonable adjustment is provision of one-on-one support for an adult who needs it for that event. Some venues, it says, may have appropriate staff for this purpose. And some people may only need a carer in particular situations - or, perhaps, could share one.

The card doesn't aim to guarantee every disabled person all the support they want, it's based on reasonable adjustments that venues are legally obliged to make. Same as with employers: they get a chair their OT has identified as safe for you, not the one you'd personally choose.

It sounds like you don't really need an Access card at present, anyway, and can sort out your charge's needs ad hoc?

The access card is brilliant! And completely optional.

It has saved us producing dla documentation each time we go somewhere or explaining nature of disability.

Many theme parks use the process and although it's free to use it for the one time it's been fantastic for us to have the card as it now links into most theme parks.

Similarly we've used it as evidence for theatre tickets - having the +1 has saved us so much money over the years and is so convenient.

The card is just sidestepping a process. Rather than having to give evidence to each venue you go to or applying each time you go somewhere new you can choose to have the card which means an external place has verified for you.

I think it's brkilliant and we'll worth the £15 and the person arguing against it has completely misunderstood what it is.

If you don't think you'd use it don't buy it...

And the whole point is that it savescyou having tk hand over personal information at every venue you go to (so like handing it over at local theme park, handing it over at the theatre, the cinema, farm park etc).

So instead of every place seeing personal information about your child and about their condition this is a place that is basically verifying your information officially so that each of those venues can trust and not have to see each time.

It is so much easier showing a card with no details other than the access needs rather than having to show her conditions each time (often in front of her)

Honestly it's brilliant and I recommend to Send families who do trips all the time.

@Garlicbest

So in my situation it’s a child, and I am the carer. The government define me as a ‘carer’.

Some venues registered with access card also define me as a ‘carer’ or a ‘+1’.

Some venues registered with access card don’t.

There is no reason why the particular venue I’m visiting is any different - in terms of my child’s needs - to a comparable venue that would see me as a +1. In fact I’d say the venue I’m planning to visit would need far more input from me as a carer, than another venue that would count me as a +1.

If you are asking for an accommodation for disability then it’s perfectly reasonable to have to detail the disability. What is shut about their service is the lack of communication and how long it takes to actually get the bloody thing!

From the website:

• For children, we do not question that your child may need a certain amount of support when out and about, but we are unlikely to award the +1 symbol where they would already be in direct supervision and guidance by a parent or other family member.

So, if a child would already be supervised by their responsible adult, there is no additional requirement for a carer.

If you know some places will let you in free as a carer, don't use the Access card 😄

Don't apply for the card then.

Mine came within 3 days, and the renewal was quick too!

It isn't mandatory and I think your expectations are a bit unrealistic. Showing you are in receipt of DLA or Carer's Allowance doesn't prove what kind of reasonable adjustments are necessary. I can see why they would be particularly strict about certain aspects such as the carer because this places a huge burden on a business and the incentive for people to claim when it isn't actually required is huge.

I know people on this forum always argue that you can't make false claims for things like this but many it is widely acknowledged to be a growing problem in the impacted industries. This is why Disney have had to tighten up their DAS system because it was getting abused so often by so many people.

@Garlicbest

Good point!!

But surely that’s very, very wrong!!!

For Access to say ‘oh actually you are not a ‘carer” (except they decide to word it as +1 so they can get out of calling you a carer) but then for the venue to say “oh yes, there’s your letter from the government - you are a carer”!

And then charge £15 to tell you - you are not a carer….oops let’s reword that ….a ‘+1”…

Exactly this!

Many attractions won't allow access to an unaccompanied child so all families that want to enter the attraction have to pay for an adult ticket. It is difficult to argue that a child that requires a carer is not being treated equally as the price for entry would be the same as any other child and adult.

Yes this.

Absolutely we had a merlin couple of years just before /while they moved to access cards and there was always so much discussion about the number of people falsely saying they needed the pass to queue away from the queue.

So much was dependent on the people looking as the documents on the day whonthen had to deal with a lot of agro from people trying to pull a fast one/get free tickets/ride access passes.

Havign an external system means it can be verified away from the park and noone needs to show documents there. It's also outsourced to people who know these things.

I honestly can't see why anyone would have a problem with it.

As for which venues give a +1 discount - that's not up to the access card, that's up to the venue...

The access card also has symbols for toilet needs, assistance dogs, not being able to walk far etc so it's brilliant for disabled people to be able to show a verified card rather than having to explain every time.

Another Trustpilot review….

“A scheme to prevent disabled people accessing days out by venues who would rather not have them. Personally we will be boycotting such places.
To get this card you must pay an extra £15 for being disabled and divulge your personal medical information. These people are not medical professional nor government bodies and have no right to this information.
An opportunity to make money from people's misfortune, exclude the most vulnerable and discriminate against the disabled.
I'm shocked this is even allowed.”

I really don't get your issue but I don't think you're really listening.

Its £15 for 3 years for a scheme that saves you having to show documents everywhere you go. Most places will let you show documents instead or use the verification for free for a one time go.

If not it's your choice whether to go there or not. It's not compulsory. Its brilliant.

It makes it smoother to access venues than it did before the card. Truly

We go to theatres now but it used to be theme parks and farm parks and often you just type the access card number in and it's sorted for you.

Theatres have been amazingly accessible and if you ring them they will often talk through any access needs for the building. Similarly we had a brilliant time with theme parks (especially paultons) with the ride access support.

Nowhere has been anti disability, in fact it's smoothed the process each time as it's a recognised card.

No one is forcing you to apply.

So the Access card scheme is run by Nimbus Disability and they really don’t have great reviews - at all - on Google and Trustpilot.

I acknowledge that many people find the card useful.

But I think there is a monetisation motive here - by them and the venues that register them - and that shouldn’t influence judgements made about people with disabilities.

FFS OP, listen. Stop spouting equalities act bollox out of context or without proper understanding.

It is OPTIONAL.

You don't HAVE to provide any additional info, just don't get the card.

It is NOT preventing anything. And NOT to charge an additional £15 for disabled people to enter. What a ridiculous interpretation.

This is a card to enable your DC reasonable adjustments each time, without having to go through the rigmarole each time.

So many people take the piss - my DC gets DLA but doesn't need any adjustments at e.g. a theme park. Wouldn't you rather only people who really need it, have it?

If you don't like it, just don't do it. Carry on as you are. Nothing stopping you still going to the places is there.