“Around seven per cent of people who are registered blind or partially sighted use braille.” – Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
World Braille Day is a day in which people come together to raise awareness around the significance of braille for people who are registered blind or partially sighted.
“Braille was invented in 1824 by Louis Braille, a Frenchman who lost his sight as a result of a childhood accident. His system used six raised dots to represent each letter, arranged in two columns of three dots just like a domino.” – Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
Visual Impairments & 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, Legoland Windsor 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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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, Cadbury World offers a guide dog sitting service. Staff will be able to offer additional assistance.
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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, Harry Potter Studio Tour 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, AO Arena has audio-described performances available.
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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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Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
“We’re the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), one of the UK’s leading sight loss charities and the largest community of blind and partially sighted people.”
Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
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Web: https://www.rnib.org.uk/
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Royal Society for Blind Children (RSBC)
“We offer a range of services including emotional support and practical advice for families, opportunities for children and young people to build confidence and skills through activities, and a specialist further education college.”
Royal Society for Blind Children
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Tel: 020 3198 0225
Web: https://www.rsbc.org.uk/
Email: connections@rsbc.org.uk
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📷: https://www.languagemagazine.com/
