U.K. Diversability Card Provides Discounts for Disabled

Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2019/03/19 - Updated: 2023/12/15
Publication Type: Informative
Topic: Disability Discounts and Deals - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: The U.K. Diversability Card is a discount card for disabled in the UK and provides exclusive discounts with brands, services, and entertainment providers. The term Diversability is currently a movement as the preferred term - by some people - to replace the word "disability and disabilities".

Introduction

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.

Main Item

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 theatre 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 whilst 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.

Additional Resources:

Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.