U.K. Diversability Card: Exclusive Discounts for Disabled Individuals

Author: Ian C. Langtree - View Credentials
Published: 19 Mar 2019 - Updated: 28 Oct 2026
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Overview - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This resource discusses the U.K. Diversability Card, a discount program designed to offer individuals with disabilities exclusive deals from various brands, services, and entertainment providers. Founded by disability rights advocate Shani Dhanda, who has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, the card addresses accessibility challenges highlighted by research from the U.K. Department for Work and Pensions. The article outlines eligibility criteria, including recipients of benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and explains the term "Diversability," another movement aimed at rebranding disability to emphasize individual uniqueness and potential.

Overview

What is the Diversability Card?

The U.K. Diversability Card is the official discount card for people with disabilities in the United Kingdom. The Diversability Card provides exclusive and market leading discounts with brands, service and entertainment providers. The Diversability Card was originally founded by disability rights campaigner Shani Dhanda, who has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a rare genetic condition also known as Brittle Bone Disease.

Research from the U.K. Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) revealed people with disabilities find shopping the most difficult experience for accessibility. Other accessibility concerns were; going to the cinema, the theater and music concerts. The Diversability Card was created in response to those exclusions and accessibility issues people with disability face on a daily basis.

According to The Family Resources Survey 2016-17 the total spending power of families with at least one disabled person is estimated at £249 billion a year. There are approximately 13.9 million disabled people in the UK:

• 8% of children are disabled.
• 19% of working age adults are disabled.
• 45% of pension age adults are disabled.
• On average, disabled people face extra costs of £570 a month related to their impairment or condition.
• The annual cost of bringing up a disabled child is three times greater than that of bringing up a non-disabled child.

Both Businesses and Disabled Benefit

The Diversability Card not only aims to support disabled people, it aims to educate businesses as well as service providers through training and highlighting specific changes and improvements that will make a tremendous difference to the millions of people with disability who often miss out.

Shani is calling on consumers with disabilities, as well as businesses, to support the new scheme, which provides a win for businesses by providing them a means to integrate their corporate and social responsibilities while diversifying their market reach. And, the Diversability Card benefits those with disabilities by providing discounted access, products, and services from the participating businesses.

Eligibility Criteria for The Diversability Card

If you receive one of the following benefits you are eligible to receive The U.K. Diversability Card:

• Blue Badge
• Blind Persons Registration
• Attendance Allowance (AA)
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)

What Does Diversability Mean?

Diversability is a global movement to re-brand disability that began in Washington, DC with Tiffany Yu in 2009. The term Diversability is currently a movement as the preferred term to replace the word "disability and disabilities". The word "disabilities" is said to be associated with the past and people's negative experiences with institutions. The term Diversability however embraces the uniqueness and potential in every human being, disabled or non-disabled. Diversabilities refer to physical, cognitive, developmental, learning, and/or neurological differences, or diversity, in ability levels. Diversability events promote an atmosphere where individuals are comfortable discussing and exploring questions about accessibility, equality, and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The introduction of the Diversability Card represents a significant step toward recognizing and alleviating the financial burdens faced by individuals with disabilities in the U.K. By fostering partnerships between consumers and businesses, this initiative not only offers tangible benefits but also promotes a more inclusive society.

Author Credentials: Ian C. Langtree is a writer, editor, and the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, which he established in 2004 as one of the longest-running independent resources for disability news and information. Over more than two decades, he has written and edited thousands of articles on disability rights, health, accessibility, and assistive technology. Drawing on a global perspective shaped by extensive travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed advocate of the Social Model of Disability, the framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that focuses on removing societal barriers rather than on individual impairments. His writing is grounded in that framework and in a lasting commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.