“1 in 37 people alive today in the UK will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime.” – Parkinson’s UK
Parkinson’s Awareness Week (10th – 16th April 2022) is a week in which people come together to raise awareness about Parkinson’s.
This year’s theme is ‘#StartAConversation‘
“Parkinson’s disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years.” – The National Health Service (NHS)
Parkinson’s & 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 different systems in place to facilitate this access requirement.
For example, Thorpe Park 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, Glastonbury Festival offers viewing platforms at all the main stages. Customers requiring access to these platforms will require a Viewing Platform (VP) pass. For more information, please visit the festival’s website.
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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 Port Eliot Festival offers a designated accessibility buggy to help you around the site, it will be based in the accessible carpark on Thursday and Friday but can be contacted via the info point on the HAHA and the Bowling green. Accessible parking is also available. For more information, please visit the festival’s website.
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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. For more information, please click here.
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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.
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Parkinson’s UK
“We’re close to major breakthroughs. Funding the right research into the most promising treatments, we get closer to a cure every day.
Until then, we’re here for everyone affected by Parkinson’s. Fighting for fair treatment and better services. Making everyone see its real impact..”
Parkinson’s UK
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Tel: 0808 800 0303 / Text relay: 18001 0808 800 0303 (for textphone users only)
Web: www.parkinsons.org.uk
Email: hello@parkinsons.org.uk
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Cure Parkinson’s
“We’re here for the cure. Everything we do is to move us closer to that goal. But we can’t do it without you. Your donations and your involvement in research will lead to the breakthrough we all want to see.”
Cure Parkinson’s
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Tel: 0207 487 3892
Web: www.cureparkinsons.org.uk/
Email: info@cureparkinsons.org.uk
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📷: https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/parkinsons-awareness-month-2022/
