Freedom Pass?

[Ramona]

Has anyone applied for a freedom pass and succeeded?

My partner applied for one but was turned down because she 'didn't fit the criteria'.

She did fit the criteria of severe social issues but as she does not have a physical disability and has an IQ over 70 (which excludes her from being classed as learning difficulties) the borough does not recognise her as having a disability.

I argued with them that how could you possibly not class the inability to speak and sever socially anxiety as not being disabled, but apparently you can. They were incredibly rude on top of this.

The thing is if they said, 'we appreciate that she has difficulties but can't afford to give her a pass' that would be ok but it is the fact they have no knowledge of autism and what it is.

THE WOMAN ASKED IF IT AFFECTED HER LEGS.

Thats just complete ignorance.

Ok rant over,

Anyone else got a freedom pass story?

What borough do you live in if you have one?

Should we bombard our councils with applications so they have to revise the criteria?

Thoughts and opinions appreciated!

[purplehaze]

Hi not sure about a freedom pass or if it's the same as a disability buas pass which my 15 year old son has. I had to get a form signed by our Doctor but it sounds like you need the same criteria as what you are describing. My borough have been really helpful and sent out a replacement card withing 2 days when we lost it. I think it depends who signs the form for you. One of our Doctors who we don't really see didn't think my son qualified but another Doctor who we see all the time signed straight away. Could you get help from any professionals involved. Good luck

 

 

[smiley1590]

whats this pass for? xKLX

[Tally]

The Freedom Pass is the name of the free bus pass for London.

 

Since they don't consider autism a learning disability, you might be better applying on mental health grounds and twisting the symptoms to fit. Social anxiety is a mental health condition anyway.

[NobbyNobbs]

i got my bus pass by stating that i was currently unable to drive due to disability, and so had to use public transport. technically ASD doesn't qualify you because it is specifically for people with learning difficulties and physical problems which prevent them from driving, but they didn't argue with me at all i just walked into the council office and asked. i didn't even have a formal diagnosis then!

[MelowMeldrew]

i got my bus pass by stating that i was currently unable to drive due to disability, and so had to use public transport. technically ASD doesn't qualify you because it is specifically for people with learning difficulties and physical problems which prevent them from driving, but they didn't argue with me at all i just walked into the council office and asked. i didn't even have a formal diagnosis then!

 

My son had a free bus pass sent today, no problem at all getting one...

[Ramona]

My son had a free bus pass sent today, no problem at all getting one...

 

 

What did your son get it for? I have a free bus pass because I'm a student but a freedom pass is specifically for disabled or the elderly, the main thing is we are struggling to prove that her autism affects her ability to travel.

 

We have found some excellent advice from the NAS (I would recommend them to anyone struggling with anything), and we should be appealing soon!

[MelowMeldrew]

What did your son get it for? I have a free bus pass because I'm a student but a freedom pass is specifically for disabled or the elderly, the main thing is we are struggling to prove that her autism affects her ability to travel.

 

We have found some excellent advice from the NAS (I would recommend them to anyone struggling with anything), and we should be appealing soon!

 

 

I filled in the application form (In Wales), stating he was autistic, and had an identified inability to travel on his own, I had to fill in a form as his carer as well. This was then forwarded to the Child support team at the Social Services for validation. They are WELL aware of me anyway ! it was stamped and passed to the transport/pass people the same day, it pays tobe a pain in the ass to the social services I find

[NobbyNobbs]

for an adult, any official report stating that they have a recognised medical condition which can prevent them from being allowed to drive a car should be enough. ASD is one of those, so as long as she can't drive, you should be able to get round it that way because it is then a disability - her condition is stopping her from being able to lead a 'normal' life and meet normal milestones. you could always mention epilepsy on a parallel, as that doesn't stop you physicially from driving either, but makes you unsafe to drive, just like sensory problems with ASD can. i didn't have to contact the DVLA, just said i couldn't drive at the moment because of ASD and explain why (sensory problems etc). i included an Educational psychologist report saying that i have sensory problems and other difficulties and highlighted the bits that supported my case. its probably tougher to get one in london than down here, but i live in one of the areas where they are having to consider withdrawing elderly passes due to over-use, so i dont think they'd be giving them out too easily.

[Mumble]

Can I put another side on this?

 

Councils' budgets are woefully stretched and they have to apply resources where they deem them most appropriate. Of course if we don't get what we want we're going to say it's not fair!

 

The Freedom Pass in London is specifically designed to help people who would be significantly disadvantaged if they did not have access to free travel. It has far fewer (don't shout at me I'm too tired to work out if that should be 'less' or 'fewer' ) restrictions than the over 60s card (I'm not sure about over 60s free travel personally because you don't become instantly immobile on your 60th birthday... ).

 

Why should autism, social anxiety etc. give you access to the card? If she did not have these issues, her travel costs would be the same (or possibly more if she were going out more). The Freedom pass is about freedom from travel restrictions that others would not have as a result of disability/illness.

 

I did not apply for a Freedom pass with just my ASD dx. There was nothing that made my travel costs greater than they would be without the dx. I have recently applied due to additional medical issues which not only prevent me from driving but cause extreme tiredness so where I wold usually walk if it was a few bus stops, I now have to take the bus. It means that I daily have a greater bus fair than previously as a direct result of my condition. I'm not sure the application will be accepted because I didn't realise how much detail was needed so may need some help to do it again and explain my difficulties clearly.

 

The thing is if they said, 'we appreciate that she has difficulties but can't afford to give her a pass' that would be ok but it is the fact they have no knowledge of autism and what it is.

THE WOMAN ASKED IF IT AFFECTED HER LEGS.

Ok, so she didn't know about autism, but we can't expect everyone to know everything about every condition (particularly if it does not cause difficulties relevant to the application). That's why we have specialists.

 

Should we bombard our councils with applications so they have to revise the criteria?

In a word - no. That will simply serve to alienate councils and others and undo the good work that has been done on awareness training.

 

[Mumble]

for an adult, any official report stating that they have a recognised medical condition which can prevent them from being allowed to drive a car should be enough. ASD is one of those

Just to add, ASD does not prevent you from driving. It is down to individual assessment carried out by the DVLA/your doctor and the DVLA medical officers then make the decision about granting you a licence or not. Lots of HFA/AS people can and do drive.

 

[Special_talent123]

if this is a free bus pass and its consessionary then yeh u should be able to get it, i got mine through social services needing a blue card to say that such and such has a disablity and show it there, i dont know how people do it through council but the first one is what i did.

[Special_talent123]

oh and the reason it came out was because we mentioned it an independence day 4 years ago and it happened straight away in april, we were impressed they listened to our views all though the issue with buddying didnt take place any way once this was out to our council it manage to get all over england. the bus pass we mentioned in the independence day for people with disabilities, i dont know how they managed to get it for over 60's but it should of been to people who struggle with money and have physically disabilities. so not just physical but learning, didnt matter if was autistic or anything.

[NobbyNobbs]

Just to add, ASD does not prevent you from driving. It is down to individual assessment carried out by the DVLA/your doctor and the DVLA medical officers then make the decision about granting you a licence or not. Lots of HFA/AS people can and do drive.

i know a lot of AS people can drive, however some can't. i tried to learn to drive and did okay, but couldn't pass my test because he kept asking me to do things and apparently (i was told after) i was meant to say no that wasn't legal

 

bus passes are issued in my county in relation to those who need free access to transport in order to access a 'normal' life and increased social activity, which is why they give them to people over 60 ( i'm also not sure about that one, my father is 62 this year and still works a 50 hour week!!) this would follow with the disadvantaged guidelines for the freedom pass. a return ticket to the town from my house is £4.90 which i could not afford to pay more than once a week, but part of my AS program is to go out more and do different things. with the bus pass i can go to town to go to the library or shops, attend medical appointments in the neighbouring town, go to computer training courses etc.

[smiley1590]

i know due to AS and dyspraxia together i have high possiblity of NOT being abe to drive cause skills i lack or aren't there and i know find hard struggle greatly doing more than one task at once would confuse ,furstrate and annoy me i get so angry and disappointed i want to try and achieve this 'normal' target and goal just feel pushing stepping to far i think my anxiety /nerves would be problem on the road plus following tasks -concentration and attention span and following certain rules and instructions! also my poor eyesight (mypoia) pretty bad! i something i want to say i done and even if can't prove to me i done everything possible! even with glasses my eyesight bad! i just have use public transport trains,buses,taxis whatever costs money-lots of! on local news saw AS DI i thought 'good on you' prove them wrong don't think many people feel safe if i started driving at all they'd come off the roads don't blame them i'd be health hazard! dangerous basically DLVA would never accept me on there list! that's for sure i know that for a FACT! lol X KLX

 

 

[Mumble]

I appear to have upset quite a few people (it's clearly my special gift and I shall go back to Hermit Land ) following my posts above. I wasn't for one moment making a judgement about individual cases or people here. My point was that, under the constraints of finite resources, the freedom pass is about mitigating against additional transport costs however they might arise.

 

We all know that public transport is often horribly over-priced, but equally so, running a car is also very expensive. Everyone, whether disabled or not, has to factor such costs into their budget. If your disability means your costs are over and above someone else's you should have the pass, otherwise the named disability in itself should not be an automatic entitlement because every ASD individual is unique and has their own needs.

 

Just as DLA is assessed on need not named disability and on an individual basis, the Freedom Pass should be the same, because otherwise we're just playing into the hands of people who see disability benefit claimants as scroungers.

 

As to driving, my point again didn't relate to any individual here. There are some ASD people on this forum who can and do drive, some who can and choose not to and some who cannot. This is very individual and needs to be done on individual medical assessment as required. This might seem a lengthy process but I think we would be (going for the multiple metaphor route here... ) up in arms if we were all tarnished with the same brush and told ASD = can't drive.

 

Basically we can't have it both ways. We can't say we want a situation where ASD dx = Automatic Freedom Pass and ASD dx = Allowed to drive if desired.

 

Rant over. I'm going home to my cave.

 

[MelowMeldrew]

I appear to have upset quite a few people (it's clearly my special gift and I shall go back to Hermit Land ) following my posts above. I wasn't for one moment making a judgement about individual cases or people here. My point was that, under the constraints of finite resources, the freedom pass is about mitigating against additional transport costs however they might arise.

 

We all know that public transport is often horribly over-priced, but equally so, running a car is also very expensive. Everyone, whether disabled or not, has to factor such costs into their budget. If your disability means your costs are over and above someone else's you should have the pass, otherwise the named disability in itself should not be an automatic entitlement because every ASD individual is unique and has their own needs.

 

Just as DLA is assessed on need not named disability and on an individual basis, the Freedom Pass should be the same, because otherwise we're just playing into the hands of people who see disability benefit claimants as scroungers.

 

As to driving, my point again didn't relate to any individual here. There are some ASD people on this forum who can and do drive, some who can and choose not to and some who cannot. This is very individual and needs to be done on individual medical assessment as required. This might seem a lengthy process but I think we would be (going for the multiple metaphor route here... ) up in arms if we were all tarnished with the same brush and told ASD = can't drive.

 

Basically we can't have it both ways. We can't say we want a situation where ASD dx = Automatic Freedom Pass and ASD dx = Allowed to drive if desired.

 

Rant over. I'm going home to my cave.

 

My son cannot go outside the home on his own, this means to travel he has to have a minder with him, that incurs a lot of extra expenses,so I felt he was perfectly entitled to a free bus pass,and given he has no effective modus of (A) Getting on the right bus ( stating his destination or © Understand the money/fare aspect and (D) Would be totally disoriented and at risk if left on his own a pass and help for the minder was essential and they promptly agreed, and no, no way will he ever drive ! I was told in certain circumstances a minder did NOT his or herself have to be validated as disabled either to get one.... but, they had to be the nominate carer and with the child, or pay full fare.

[Boy]

I need to travel with someone the majority of the time, as I am almost unable to travel alone (there are exceptions - very familiar journies are sometimes manageable). This means travelling costs double the amount.

 

On the rare occasion I do travel alone I am at risk of machines eating my money (it's happened before, I was unable to ask for assistance, and my father had to go to the station the next day to ask for my money back - it was my local station, otherwise I would have lost that money and would have been stranded away from home or would have had to pay even more money to top up my Oyster card to get home), or otherwise having problems that will hinder or even stop my journey.

 

If I were travelling alone and a train was cancelled or my journey became overwhelming/confusing, I'd have to return home - which would cost me money, despite the fact I hadn't reached my destination. Or, as mentioned, I'd become stranded.

 

I understand that not all autistic people will automatically be eligible for a Freedom Pass. I just resent that the criteria can be used to exclude people who do have a real need (whilst possibly including people for which it isn't even necessary). If I was being treated as an individual, that would be fine. It's been dismissed completely, despite my problems, just because I don't quite fit into any of their boxes, that frustrates me.

 

Although, I have since been told, that due to my speech problems I may actually be eligible, but will have to see about that one.

[KezT]

does he get the mobility componant of DLA? In our area, high mobility componant = automatic access to bus pass (sadly, doesn't work on trains here tho).

 

We applied for my husband, who does have physical problems, but they didn't ask what cos we had high DLA mobility. I have been told I ought to apply for mobility DLA for my son (Aspergers) because he can't be trusted to make it past the garden gate on his own, but he's only 8.... I haven't got around to it yet But assuming I do, and he gets it, he would be eligable for a blue badge & bus pass, same as husband.

 

Although I always assumed son would learn to drive OK - it doesn't involve any other people so he should be OK on that when he gets old enough:)

[Tally]

In our area, high mobility componant = automatic access to bus pass (sadly, doesn't work on trains here tho).

You should be able to apply for a Disabled Person's Railcard if you get DLA for mobility

[smiley1590]

i don't know if i get DLA Mobility but as one of my goals i like to use a train to combat anxiety and prove i can travel on one i know i get DLA middle rate i don't exactly rating it is for? would i get a rail card? how will i know im entitled will the NAS support workers know?!

 

XKLX

[MelowMeldrew]

i don't know if i get DLA Mobility but as one of my goals i like to use a train to combat anxiety and prove i can travel on one i know i get DLA middle rate i don't exactly rating it is for? would i get a rail card? how will i know im entitled will the NAS support workers know?!

 

XKLX

 

 

I haven't tried yet, but a social worker informed me here in Wales, there is a very good chance my son would get a disability rail pass as well, it would not enable free travel, but a considerable reduction on most fares..... The SS would authenticate the autism and said the Rail companies would be OK with it. You have to convince social services here not the railway authorities.

[KezT]

IIRC disability rail card offers 1/3 off for a carer travelling with the disabled person. since it costs more to take a train than drive in most cases, seems a bit useless to me.

[Tally]

i don't know if i get DLA Mobility but as one of my goals i like to use a train to combat anxiety and prove i can travel on one i know i get DLA middle rate i don't exactly rating it is for? would i get a rail card? how will i know im entitled will the NAS support workers know?!

 

XKLX

 

There is no middle rate for Mobility, so you must be getting the middle rate for Care.

You can get a disabled rail card if you get EITHER DLA for Mobility (lower or higher), OR for Care at the middle or higher rates.

So yes, you should be entitled to a Disabled Person's Railcard.

It costs £18 and is valid for one year. You get 1/3 discount on your fares. If another person travels with you, they get this discount as well.

You can find out more here: http://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/

[smiley1590]

i think get lower rate mobility thanks for the info about public transport tally will come handy as want visit my auntie down in hertfordshire but NAS support worker going to get me used to travelling on them first!

[caz2007]

I have a bus pass and somebody can go with me and use it for 2 people family or friend, it can be of help and it was not easy to get it sign the doctor did not sign it right and so we took it back and she sign it again and when we took it to the officers where we live that gave me the pass.

 

it so hard to get what we need doctors dont now us day in day out