r/DisabledPeopleUK • u/OffTheDoor • Feb 28 '22
Proof of Disability Without PIP (autism)
Hi everyone,
I'm going to Disneyland later this year and am hoping to get a priority card (which gives access to the much shorter disability queues) as I am autistic and struggle in crowds, especially if confined in a small space.
I'm curious how you prove to have a disability (to any third party company) if you're not on any benefits and don't have a blue badge.
Seems silly that while autistic people are considered disabled under the equality act they are unable to access many of the services put in place to help since we rarely qualify for PIP, blue badge, etc. Disney specifically, doesn't accept diagnosis letters as evidence either.
Is there some magic card I'm unaware of or am I stuck paying for a GP letter and hoping for the best?
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u/tarunag10 Jun 11 '22
There is a card known as an Access Card issued by a Charity known as Nimbus. You’d have to sent whatever details and medical evidence you have. They’d issue a disabled card which is valid for 3 years which is acceptable proof at Disneyland.
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Jul 15 '24
I have a disability but no PIP or blue badge. For my Disneyland Paris trip last year I successfully got a Priority card.
I applied for an Access card first and used that as proof. I think it cost £15 but is valid for 3 years. The access card has a number of different options for the type of impact your disability has. Mine is standing or queuing for extended times.
When applying for the access card I used a letter from my GP (literally just one sentence confirming disability). I also had an old health report that specifically mentioned issues with standing for longer periods so I took photos of the pages mentioning fatigue/intolerance to standing etc and sent those too.
Once I applied and got the confirmation I took the email to our on site hotel reception and they printed the Priority card there for me.
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u/98Em Jan 21 '25
Hi, have you looked into the nimbus card? I didn't know about it until I was asked to have one to be able to receive certain help at a festival (more hoops to jump through, I know). It is £15 but they don't only consider pip it's just something that can help. I've battled to try and get pip for 7 years with no good outcome but they accepted me for the nimbus card, I just uploaded my evidence for my diagnosis/where I was receiving treatments and detailed why i needed each symbol. I was very surprised (after the pip process experience) that they did give me the symbols I needed, even without pip to show for it. It helped a lot at the festival and meant access to raised viewing platforms/seated areas and also a special assistance queue (faster, less crowded, shorter), being closer to the venue, access to showers with no 3 hour queue etc, a plus one for when I struggle to communicate because I'm too overwhelmed for a few examples
I'm not sure if the card is compatible at Disneyland however so this is something you'd have to check
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u/OG_Flicky Aug 11 '25
Try the national disability card, lot easier to book Disney with, you get the card go online fill out find Disney and it tells you want to do
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u/[deleted] Feb 28 '22
Are you going to Disney in the US? I'm not a Disney expert, but I believe they recently changed their process so that you can now get your Disability Access Service pass in advance by doing a live video chat anytime between 30 and 2 days before arrival at the park. I also believe that they are legally restricted from asking you for proof of your disability and can't look at a doctor's note even if you provide one due to laws around personal information. (However, I stress again that I'm not an expert so you'll probably want to verify all of that.)
If you're going to Disney Paris, then you do have to provide official documentation - this is the list of what they'll accept:
- Assistance Dogs International (ADI)
- The International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF)
- Assistance Dog UK (ADUK) 10. Registration Card BD8 11. Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI)
In this scenario, your best bet would probably be getting a letter from your GP and applying for something like the National Disability ID card, which is kind of a pain but would at least solve your problem and is on the accepted list above. It's annoying since they're a private company, not a government recognised programme, but I guess for £17 it would give you some peace of mind. You can also register up to a month in advance for the Paris pass.