Are companies allowed to insist on an access card for disabled access?

[TigerRag]

I have a certificate of visual impairment, pip letter and a blue badge. None of these are apparently good enough and some companies are saying they only accept an access card

I can't get the symbols I need and I can't be bothered arguing with someone who knows nothing about my disabilities

The argument for requiring an access card and nothing else is because the company themselves aren't medically trained. But my certificate of visual impairment was done by someone who is medically trained, assessed me and has access to my medical records. This person has far more understanding of how I'm affected than someone working for a private company who has never met me

Does anyone know how legal this really is? I don't have a problem proving my disabilities. I do have a problem with only certain evidence from a certain company being accepted

I am visually impaired too. And honestly this drives me insane. I have my certificate of my registered blind. Yet this isn’t good enough. Why should I have to pay for something to prove with evidence I already have. It never used to be a think you can see I can’t see the white cane and lack of vision is a massive giveaway. I don’t know why it’s become such a thing.

Oh yes I absolutely think all disabled people are faking it, that's why I object so strongly to them being ripped off 🙄.

I've been quite clear about what 'my beef' with them is. If you want to pay £15 to access stuff you're legally entitled to access for no extra cost at all more fool you.

Not true. I'm on enhanced mobility because of my visual impairment. I still had to prove that I meet the criteria

Unfortunately the nimbus system doesn’t work for the most severely disabled adults who rely on council funded care, we can’t complete them because they are considered primary caregivers yet they can’t be bothered. Dsd requires 2 adults at all times due to severity of disability, luckily to date the actual people on the desk have always given 1 free carer

But it doesn't change the fact that I can't get the symbols I need or companies insisting on these cards when many of us already have proof

100% not true. At all.

Everyone has to provide evidence they meet the criteria, otherwise any Tom dick or Harry could get one. But
@chucklebunnyis correct that if you get over 8 points for the 'moving around' element of pip, you're automatically entitled to a blue badge.

From the dot gov site. You can actually qualify for a mobility car but not a blue badge.

People who automatically get a Blue Badge
You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you are aged 3 or over and at least one of the following applies:

• you receive the higher rate of the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• you receive a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) because you can’t walk more than 50 metres (a score of 8 points or more under the ‘moving around’ activity of the mobility component)
• you are registered blind (severely sight impaired)
• you receive a War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
• you have received a lump sum benefit within tariff levels 1 to 8 of the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces (Compensation) Scheme and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability that causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking
• you receive the mobility component of PIP and have obtained 10 points specifically for descriptor E under the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity, on the grounds that you are unable to undertake any journey because it would cause you overwhelming psychological distress

If you have any score other than 10 points under descriptor E, in the ‘planning and following journeys’ activity of PIP you may still be eligible for a Blue Badge, but you do not automatically qualify. This includes if you have a higher score of 12. You will have to provide evidence to demonstrate your eligibility which will be assessed as part of your application.

It's also automatic if you get 10 points for 'planning and following a journey'

Only if you get the 10 points for e, not d. It's stupidly specific

You’re right, my apologies. It’s points based, you have to get 8 or more points under ‘moving around’ I had no idea. Or I’ve forgotten.

yes. I forget E is also 10 points.

I do keep getting told there's a free version. But they're missing the point that I've got other evidence that should be acceptable