How do you get registered as disabled?

c4thyg

I'm not looking for benefits or anything like that just yet. I simply want to know how to go about being registered as disabled.

I've lost 3 jobs in the last 18 months and all because of ill health. I have 3 autoimmune conditions including psoriatic arthritis and a life threatening blood condition that was diagnosed 6 months ago. I've been told that I don't fall under the DDA for my blood condition because 'immune thrombocytopenia purpura' isn't listed. It's rare so I'm not surprised it's not listed but I still find it hard to believe that I'm not protected by the DDA. I'm hoping that if I can get registered as disabled it might afford me some protection in the workplace so that reasonable adjustments have to be made. I don't even ask for a lot.

I'm now feeling too despondent to look for another job even though I need the outlet. I'm afraid that it will just keep happening to me and I'll never be able to settle anywhere. Does being registered disabled actually help in this situation? Any advice would be appreciated. Thx.

annebr

Hi,

I don't know if this is me registered but I wanted a blue badge for the car. i had to jump through hoops as no-one could understand why I didn't want benefiits as I was still working at that point.

Eventually I contacted the social work dept. for my area and they sent me a form which had to be completed by my doctor and myself and I got my blue badge. again I don't know if this is me officially registered.

Anne

joyful164

If you contact your Local County Council (or go down in person) and ask to be put through to the Blue Badge section, they should send you the booklet and form. You complete it, it's not too large a document, obtain a couple of passport photographs and send £2 with the form back to them with a sae, you should get you Blue Badge in due course. You sign saying you don't mind them contacting your GP/Consultant and that's it.

Shouldn't be a problem at all. I obtained mine about 6 years ago when I thought I might just have gout and was hobbling everywhere so you shouldn't have a problem at all. To actually register as disabled, just log on to the web Registering Disabled or speak to your GP. You may or may not fit into the categories.

joyful

elnafinn

Probably, to start the ball rolling you would need to go to your GP - as proof is more than likely required on how "debilitating" your condition is. Your Local Authority (Council) and Social Services can also advise on registering disabled.

Why don't you post a message on the Chat to our Helpline Team on this subject or call them on Monday, number at the top right hand corner of the screen. They will be able to point you in the right direction.

Elna

c4thyg

Thx for your advice. I think the first thing I need to do is speak to my GP again or my rheumatologist. I applied for a blue badge 18 months ago and was outright refused without any recommendations from my GP. I really needed one then as I couldn't park close to work and had to walk through ice and snow in the winter.

I'll look into the website as suggested. There must be a way of registering without a blue badge as not all disabilities affect mobility.
Thx again.

ritnew

I applied for my Blue Badge online. I got a call from the people who hand them out saying it was being processed they were waiting for a report from my GP. Then I had to take my passport photos in and they did it while I waited.

Rita X

woodbon

c4thyg wrote:

I'm not looking for benefits or anything like that just yet. I simply want to know how to go about being registered as disabled.

I've lost 3 jobs in the last 18 months and all because of ill health. I have 3 autoimmune conditions including psoriatic arthritis and a life threatening blood condition that was diagnosed 6 months ago. I've been told that I don't fall under the DDA for my blood condition because 'immune thrombocytopenia purpura' isn't listed. It's rare so I'm not surprised it's not listed but I still find it hard to believe that I'm not protected by the DDA. I'm hoping that if I can get registered as disabled it might afford me some protection in the workplace so that reasonable adjustments have to be made. I don't even ask for a lot.

I'm now feeling too despondent to look for another job even though I need the outlet. I'm afraid that it will just keep happening to me and I'll never be able to settle anywhere. Does being registered disabled actually help in this situation? Any advice would be appreciated. Thx.

Hi, I know how hard it is to loose work because of illness, I've just been retired sick as I have had a lot of time off and my work is quite physical. I know you can work in a volutory capacity and still claim benifit, either incapacity or job seekers as long as you only work a few hours, which really is what you want. Its just an idea, to get you out and about a bit. I intend to do that when I am a bit fitter, and my carpel tunnel surgery is compleate. I hope you feel better soon, I know how hard it is being at home alone all day.
Take care love Sue

c4thyg

Sue, thanks for posting. I hadn't even thought of that. I'm looking for telecommute jobs at the moment just to pay for a couple of days nursery fees a week. If I can arrange for childcare voluntary work might be a good outlet and I guess it would be more on my terms then.

livinglegend

You can't!

The whole concept of a "Registered Disabled Person", which dates back to the 1940s, has been abolished. The registration scheme under the National Assistance Act 1949 was abolished by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Local Authorities may continue to maintain a register, but have no duty to do so.

The question "Are you registered as disabled" on an application form or similar actually means "We are a bunch of incompetents who are trying to find a reason not to employ you/provide you with service" and has no meaning or purpose since the DDA, since you are defined as disabled if you meet the DDA criteria:

A person is disabled if he or she has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

They are also considered disabled if they take drugs or use aids to allow them to mitigate the impairment, and for the purposes of the act, the impairment must be considered to have effect on his day-to-day activities as if he did not use the drugs or aids.
http://www.legalbanter.co.uk/uk-legal-moderated-legal-topics/24845-how-does-one-become-registered.html

Further information on the Definition of Disability is at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations/DisabilityRights/DG_4001069

So, I am afraid that the whole concept of Registered Disabled has been removed since the DDA was bought in and neither the Disability Discrimination Act nor the Code of Practice published with it, has a list of 'allowable diseases'.

Even more on practical definitions (esp. Page 26, Sec D4.) at http://83.137.212.42/sitearchive/DRC/pdf/DefnOfDisability.pdf

Joseph 8)

luckybug

I was given a green card many years ago, I believe it was either the careers officer or social worker. I still have it somewhere, but have never needed to use it.

woodbon

c4thyg wrote:

Sue, thanks for posting. I hadn't even thought of that. I'm looking for telecommute jobs at the moment just to pay for a couple of days nursery fees a week. If I can arrange for childcare voluntary work might be a good outlet and I guess it would be more on my terms then.

Hi,
Also, if you do a little voluntory work it looks good on a CV if you go for paid employment, and keep skills up-to-date and learn new ones. Our hospital takes on lots of volunteers in all capacites from office work to befriending patients. Also, the social interaction is good for you. I hope you can get sorted! Love Sue

livinglegend

Since the DDA, 1995 repealed the The Disabled Persons (Employment) Act 1944, a disability green card has no legal value. It will not legally entitle you to any disability services or rights from any councils, organisations or firms.

The only current use for green card registration is so that social services can plan for disabled people in their area. Some councils will still issue one on request, subject to satisfactory completion of forms. Be prepared to be given the runaround as the DWP and many councils consider them obsolete and not worth the effort.

I am referring to the disability green card, not the proof of insurance cover while using your vehicle abroad, being the current use of the term 'green card'.

Joseph 8)

c4thyg

Thank you Joseph, that explains why I couldn't figure out how to do it.

I'm sure I do fall under the DDA even though my last occ health think I don't. I have to take drugs every day to function and often use a walking stick. I tend to play down the difficulties in work for fear of being treated differently. I guess i just have to make sure that I know the DDA really well before starting another job, that is if I can find a suitable one.

In the meantime I'm filling out the forms for a blue badge as I found that they are very different from the last one I filled in and allow me to add more details.

Thanks for all your advice guys.

collettem

Hi,

Whist recovering from my hip op I contacted the council re a blue badge and completed a form as did my gp I now have a blue badge, for parking but again not sure if that is me registered disabled. I know in the workplace there is dda legislation but not to sure what it is.

woodbon

Hi the dda is the Disability Discrimination Act and the purpose of this is its supposed to stop employers from not giving you equal treatment and pay as an able bodied person doing the same job. It also has lots of things in it about providing the right equipment and so on, so that you can carry on work. Well, thats what I think it is, I may be wrong. :roll: Love Sue

livinglegend

Direct.gov has a very good series of pages at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/RightsAndObligations/DG_4019061 All disabled people should have a look at this page as it is full of information regarding the DDA

The Blue Badge is a totally separate issue and is administered by your local council's Social Services Department. More at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/MotoringAndTransport/DG_4001061

Joseph 8)

livinglegend

I read in Arthritis News, Aug/Sept 09, Page 4, that Nottinghamshire County Council have introduced a Disability ID Card for £10. This is available to anyone who claims DLA, AA or is the holder of a Blue Badge in Nottinghamshire.

The article also comments that other County Councils may be introducing a similar scheme and suggests that you contact your local Council to see if they are planning a similar scheme. Scotland has a Scottish Executive National Entitlement card for older adults and disabled people. I have already nagged Staffordshire CC by email this morning.


Joseph 8)