What is the Access Card?
The Access Card translates your disability/impairment into symbols which highlight the barriers you face and the reasonable adjustments you might need.
This allows other people including service providers to quickly and discreetly know that you might need extra support or have the right to concessionary ticket prices. The card focuses on your rights under the Equality Act and providers responsibilities to abide by it.
The card is the same size as a credit card and contains your full name, photo, ID number, expiry date and any symbols relevant to your disability. The card costs £15 and is valid for 3 years.
The 9 different disability symbols are:
- Standing and queueing - for people who cannot stand or queue for a substantial amount of time.
- Wheelchair access - for people who require wheelchair-accessible facilities (e.g. ramps, step-free access, lifts, wheelchair-access seating).
- Distance - for people who have difficulty moving more than short distances.
- Urgent toilet needs - for people with continence issues who need to access any toilet urgently.
- Assistance dogs - for people who require support from an assistance dog.
- Essential companions - for people who would require support from another person accompanying them.
- Visual information - for people with visual impairments or learning disabilities accessing written information/guidance.
- Audible information - for people with hearing impairments or that have difficulty understanding spoken instructions.
- Miscellaneous - for people with any other kind of disability or health condition (e.g. epilepsy).
Please note the Access card is not issued by the government and may not be recognised by all organisations and venues, so does not guarantee access or any concessionary rates. Visit the Access card website for full terms and conditions, application details and a list of venues that will accept the card.
Please also see What can I use as confirmation of disability to qualify for concessionary rates?
