“There are currently around 850,000 people with dementia in the UK. This is projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040.” – Alzheimer’s Society

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Dementia Action Awareness Week is a week in which people come together to raise awareness around Dementia and offer support to others.

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“Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders, that is, conditions affecting the brain. There are over 200 subtypes of dementia, but the five most common are: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia and mixed dementia.” – Dementia UK

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Dementia & the Access Card

Here at The Access Card, we support many cardholders to help them discreetly communicate the barriers they might face when out and about or visiting shows, events or tourist destinations and have provided some more information about some of the typical access requirements we have processed.

Everyone is different and experiences their needs in different ways, but here are some examples based on our experience.

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Standing & Queuing

Whether you have difficulty with physically being in a queue for a significant period of time, difficulty with the concept of queuing, or have difficulty with being in a queue/ crowded spaces, the ‘Standing & Queuing’ symbol can be added to your Access Card to help communicate this access requirement. 

Different providers have their own ways of accommodating this access requirement.

For example, Chessington World of Adventures Resort accepts Access Cards with the ‘Standing & Queuing’ symbol as proof for a Ride Access Pass.

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What is a Ride Access Pass?

“A Ride Access Pass is a virtual queuing system designed to make reasonable adjustments to assist guests who do not understand the concept of queuing, have a physical disability that prevents them standing for extended periods of time or permanently non-ambulant guests.”

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Essential Companions

For those that require a substantial amount of support from another person when out & about, we have the ‘+1’ symbol which indicates to providers that you would need a substantial amount of support to be able to access their facilities.

Different providers have different systems in place to facilitate this access requirement.

For example, Legoland Windsor Resort accepts Access Cards with the ‘+1’ symbol as proof for a free essential companion ticket.

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Accessing Visual Information

If you have difficulty with accessing/understanding visual information, for example, written information or signage, the Access Card has a symbol to help communicate this access requirement.

Different providers have different systems in place to facilitate this access requirement.

For example, Forest Live can provide information in large print or braille upon request.

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Accessing Audible Information

If you have difficulty with accessing/understanding audible information, the Access Card has a symbol to help communicate this access requirement.

Different providers have different systems in place to facilitate this access requirement.

For example, Cadbury World offers a script of their tour and there is an Infrared system for visitors with a compatible hearing aid system. The majority of their video presentations have English subtitles. 

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Additional Access Requirements

The ‘Additional Access Requirements’ symbol is used to indicate that you have additional access requirements that haven’t already been covered by the other symbols & you can communicate these access requirements with different venues & attractions.

A lot of venues & attractions will include additional information about their events/services on their website. This may include information about the use of strobe lighting & smoke machines during performances. Please refer to each venue’s website for this information.

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Face Mask Exemptions

More recently, throughout COVID, we have had a number of people whose needs mean that they are either unable to put on, wear or remove a face covering, or that they can feel distressed when wearing a face covering and as a response to feedback from our members we now have an additional face mask symbol for those that need it.

There are a number of face mask exemption cards and certificates available in the UK, but we are the only face mask exemption card that offers verification of your exemption.

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Thinking of applying for a Card?

If you think the above would be useful for you and would like to apply for your Access Card you can do so quickly and easily by completing our short online application form and uploading some supporting information confirming your needs.

All applications received from people who have Dementia during Dementia Action Awareness Week 2021 (17th – 23rd May 2021) can use the discount code ‘DAAWeek21’ to get £5 off a three-year Access Card.

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Further Sources of Information, Advice, and Support

Check out our full directory for how these symbols apply at over 1,000 venues in the UK and beyond.

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Alzheimer’s Society

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“Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity. We campaign for change, fund research to find a cure and support people living with dementia today.”

Alzheimer’s Society

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Tel: 0333 150 3456

Web: www.alzheimers.org.uk

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Dementia UK

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“Dementia UK provides specialist dementia support for families through our Admiral Nurse service.”

Dementia UK

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Tel: 020 8036 5400

Web: www.dementiauk.org

Email: info@dementiauk.org

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