“M.E. affects an estimated 250,000 people in the UK, and around 17 million people worldwide.” – Action for ME
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International ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia Awareness Day is a day in which people come together to raise awareness on the impacts that ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia can have on both a person’s mental & physical health.
“Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a long-term illness with a wide range of symptoms. The most common symptom is extreme tiredness…
“… In addition, people with CFS/ME may have other symptoms, including:
- sleep problems
- muscle or joint pain
- headaches
- a sore throat or sore glands that are not swollen
- problems thinking, remembering, or concentrating
- flu-like symptoms
- feeling dizzy or sick
- fast or irregular heartbeats (heart palpitations)“
– The National Health Service (NHS)
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ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia and 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, Thorpe Park 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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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 & accessible camping facilities. Charging points for wheelchairs are also available on many of the viewing platforms.
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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, The Royal Yacht Britannia has seating along its tour route so that people can take breaks. Wheelchairs are also available to borrow.
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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, Chessington World of Adventures Resort accepts Access Cards with the ‘+1’ symbol as proof for a free essential companion ticket.
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Mask Exemption
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 or that they are with someone who requires lip-reading to communicate, 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 ME/CFS or Fibromyalgia during International ME/CFS & Fibromyalgia Awareness Day: 12th May 2021 can use the discount code ‘cfsday21’ 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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The ME Association
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“We provide information, support and practical advice for people, families and carers affected by M.E. (Myalgic Encephalopathy), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS). We also fund and support research, and offer education and training.
“At the ME Association, we believe it is high time the world at large realises that this disease can affect anyone – any age, any ethnicity – and can occur at any time of life.”
The ME Association
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Tel: 0344 576 5326
Web: https://meassociation.org.uk/
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Action for ME
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“Our vision is a world without M.E.
“Our mission is empowering people with M.E. to fulfil their potential and secure the care and support they need, while working towards a greater understanding of the illness and ultimately a cure.”
Action for ME
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Tel: 0117 927 9551
Web: https://www.actionforme.org.uk/
Email: questions@actionforme.org.uk
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