“An estimated 4 to 12 people per 100,000 will develop FND.” – National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
FND Awareness Day is a day in which people come together to raise awareness around Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and offer support and advice to people living with the condition.
“Functional Neurological Disorders (FND’s) is the name given for symptoms in the body which appear to be caused by problems in the nervous system but which are not caused by a physical neurological disease or disorder.” – Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) & 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.
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, Alton Towers Resort accepts Access Cards with the ‘Standing & Queuing’ symbol as proof for a Ride Access Pass.
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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Level Access
The ‘Level Access’ symbol is not just available to wheelchair users, but also to people who find accessing stairs impossible or require additional space in order to feel more comfortable in a venue’s environment.
Different providers have different systems in place to facilitate this access requirement.
For example, Rize Festival offers a wheelchair-accessible viewing platform and accessible camping facilities. Charging points for wheelchairs are available at many of the viewing platforms.
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Urgent Access to Toilets
If you require urgent access to the toilet because of your health condition, e.g. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) or incontinence, we have the ‘WC’ symbol. This symbol discreetly communicates this access requirement with different providers.
Urgent access to the toilet is a different access requirement to a general need to use an accessible toilet and therefore the ‘WC’ symbol cannot be awarded for the latter. If you would like more information about this, please speak to a member of our team.
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Distances
For people who would perhaps have difficulty with walking/ self-propelling a wheelchair for longer distances, we have the ‘distances’ symbol to communicate this access requirement with different providers.
Different providers have their own ways of accommodating this access requirement.
For example, at Windsor Castle bench seating is available at regular intervals in the precincts.
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Assistance Dogs
If you require the support of an assistance dog, the Access Card has a symbol to communicate this access requirement.
Different providers have their own ways of accommodating both yourself and your assistance dog.
For example, Assistance Dogs are welcome at The Downs, Bristol, and an area for toileting and drinking will be provided. For more information, please click here.
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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, Glastonbury Festival 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, AO Arena has a number of induction loops installed within its venue, and both BSL-interpreted and captioned performances are available. For more information, please visit the arena’s website.
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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, which can be an issue for people with epilepsy. Please refer to each venue’s website for this information.
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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.
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.
FND Action
“In October 2016, FND Action became the first charity to be registered in the UK to support those diagnosed with a Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), including Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD). The charity was founded by a group of people who had been diagnosed themselves, and who wanted to come together to provide help and support to others.”
FND Action
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Web: https://www.fndaction.org.uk/
Email: contact@fndaction.org.uk
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FND Hope
“FND Hope UK is part of the first and only global patient-led charity for people with Functional Neurological Disorder. Originating as a grassroots campaign, it uncovers the hidden world of FND and empowers those affected to live their best possible life.”
FND Hope
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Web: https://fndhope.org/about-fnd-hope/fnd-hope-uk/
Email: fndhopeuk@fndhope.org
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📷: https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/fnd-awareness-day-2022/
