Meningitis affects more than 5m people globally each year & leaves 1 in 5 with an impairment caused by the disease, such as a brain injury. – Meningitis Research Foundation
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World Meningitis Day 2021 is a day in which people come together to raise awareness about Meningitis, whilst also informing people of the signs & symptoms of the condition.
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Meningitis 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 and 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 Legoland Windsor Resort.
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What is a Ride Access Pass?
A Ride Access Pass (RAP) 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 from 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, Kew The Music has a dedicated wheelchair user platform at the concert. Please note that space within this area is limited to one disabled guest and one personal assistant and chairs will be provided for personal assistants.
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Long 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, Port Eliot Festival offers a designated accessibility buggy to help you around the site, it will be based in the accessible car park 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, Thorpe Park accepts Access Cards with the ‘+1’ symbol as proof for a free essential companion ticket.
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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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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 with Meningitis during World Meningitis Day 2021 can use the discount code ‘meningitisday21’ 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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Meningitis Research Foundation
“Meningitis Research Foundation is a leading UK, Irish and international charity that brings together people and expertise to defeat meningitis and septicemia wherever it exists.
Our vision is of a world free from meningitis and septicemia. A world where effective vaccinations can protect everyone. A world where people who do get the diseases get the most effective diagnosis and treatments possible. A world where people affected and their families have the best support and information.”
Meningitis Research Foundation
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Tel: 080 8800 3344
Web: www.meningitis.org/
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Meningitis Now
“Meningitis Now is the first meningitis patient group in the world, founders of the meningitis movement and the only charity dedicated to fighting meningitis in the UK. Over our 30 year history, we have invested over £12m in early stage research that has played a critical part in the introduction of five life-saving vaccines”
Meningitis Now
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Tel: 0808 80 10 388
Web: https://www.meningitisnow.org/
Email: helpline@meningitisnow.org
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