“On World Health Day, 7 April 2021, we will be inviting you to join a new campaign to build a fairer, healthier world.” – World Health Organisation

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World Health Day 2021; a day in which people highlight the inequalities that still exist within different healthcare systems worldwide. It is a day for further campaigning to ensure that “everyone has living and working conditions that are conducive to good health.”

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Guidance on the Access Card symbols

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, Access Card Holders with the ‘Standing & Queuing’ symbol on their card can apply for a Ride Access Pass with Merlin Entertainments‘ attractions, including Chessington World of Adventures Resort.

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Level Access

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, 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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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, 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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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. One of our 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, Alton Towers accepts Access Cards with the ‘+1’ symbol as proof for a free essential companion ticket.

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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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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, Edinburgh Dungeon offers free dedicated touch tours with a full sensory guided experience for blind or visually impaired visitors.

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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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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.

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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 Health Foundation

“Our aim is a healthier population, supported by high-quality health care that can be equitably accessed. We learn what works to make people’s lives healthier and improve the health care system. From giving grants to those working at the front line to carrying out research and policy analysis, we shine a light on how to make successful change happen.”

The Health Foundation

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Tel: 020 7257 8000

Web: www.health.org.uk/

Email: info@health.org.uk

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The National Health Service

“From 1 April 2019, NHS England and NHS Improvement are working together as a new single organisation to better support the NHS to deliver improved care for patients.

As local health systems work more closely together, the same needs to happen at a national level. Our new single operating model has been designed to support delivery of the NHS Long Term Plan.”

The National Health Service

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Tel: 0300 311 22 33

Web: www.england.nhs.uk/participation/get-involved/healthorgs/

Email: england.contactus@nhs.net