Access CardReviews 

Rude, dismissive and judgemental. Despite providing proof my son receives HIGH RATE CARE, I was told he doesn’t need a plus one carer because “parents are always there anyway.”

Yes, parents are present — but when you have other children, you cannot give 1:1 attention at all times. That is the whole point of needing additional support. Their response shows no understanding of the realities of parenting disabled children.

Families like mine aren’t asking for extras — just the fair support our children need to safely access the community. It’s disheartening to see disabled people discriminating against disabled children in this way.

I would not recommend them to any parent of a disabled child.

The application was straightforward. I got an automated email straight away. I received an email within a few hours. Very prompt response with their decision.

Extremely helpful and I am grateful that there is something in place to support people who have additional needs- I hope all venues will start to follow suit. Thank you so much for all your support!!

Takes your money, asks for a ridiculous amount of sensitive and personal information (in my case regarding my child) then still tells you your application was unsuccessful (whilst keeping the money).
Disgusting.

Very little support for ambulant disabled people.

I have been asked to provide more information as to why I need a +1, which I have, and it was deemed as not sufficient and I need another letter from a medical professional. I have chased for the last 3 weeks a form that I can give my GP to fill out to explain why I would need a personal assistant, and I am yet to receive it.

My GP has asked what it is they need, so they can provide it, to which they just give me a canned response answer asking me to prove I receive PIP. I do not receive PIP as I am currently in the application process and they would not tell me what they need so I can get the +1 I am entitled to.

However, my brother was accepted with the same needs as me, with a +1 symbol, with the same proof, and he is more independent than I!

It seems they pick and choose what they want to give. It has now been 3 out of the 4 weeks I have not had a sufficient response and I am so worried I will lose my money and have to start again.

I have received little to no help or advice. Really poor experience by a company run by disabled people, who excludes their own.

Absolutely disgusting company making money out of disabled people and then when it actually comes to it not allowing a +1 . I am autistic with adhd. I have endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome. I also have fibromyalgia. Yet apparently I'm not disabled enough to get a carers pass. So if you can walk a bit and talk a bit then you're not disabled enough. Would never recommend this. Its just more aggravation to what has already been a hard life to live.

Just to much having to send constant paperwork as if you asked properly for veering in the first place it is a lot easier we are all not great with tech

I would give no stars if I could no one answers the phone they charge you £15 and then ask for other things and when you supply the items they require nothing try phoning after about 10 mins they hang up or say queues are full then hang up

I applied for an Access Card and got a response within a couple of days. The service feels personalised, rather than just a bot processing your application, and I got the impression that they read the supporting documents and consider them carefully.
I can't comment on the delivery of the card as ours will be posted out tomorrow, but so far I have had a great experience.

Tried to renew my access card and was refused. I am still autistic, will remain so for the rest of my life and it will never improve. Very arbitrary and unhelpful.

Theres no requirement to send 'all your personal data'
This is a reply from this con merchant
Watch how much you disclose to these people. They want to know personal data NEXT IS FROM THESE JOKERS
You have attached documentation on your application that indicates you are in receipt of disability payments. Currently we are unable to verify the rates you receive.
Please could you attach the full page(s) that clearly shows the rates awarded,

If you have the documents to prove eligibility, this is a smooth process. There is a variety of options to support and enable everyone to enjoy theatres. Communications were speedy. I applied via web, and there is a telephone number.

My query was dealt with quickly.
Very professional service.

I have put off applying for the Access Card in the past as the application form seemed a bit daunting, but in the end it didn’t take long to complete, and it was easy to upload my son’s DLA letter and latest paediatrician’s letter. His card was approved within a few days with 5 symbols which will make life a lot easier when he’s out and about with either us or his carer.

I’ve never written a negative review until today. This company’s incompetence has cost me and my severely sighted brother two visits to Drayton Manor. My brother has severe glaucoma, cannot walk independently, and needs guiding — yet they only gave us the +1 and Accessing Information symbols, and refused to give the Standing & Queuing symbol which is essential for him.

We applied last year and asked for this to be corrected but were ignored. We later got a Merlin Access Pass with the correct support, but when reapplying last week for Drayton Manor, they sent the wrong card again. Despite me emailing immediately for correction, they haven’t replied.

All I want is for my brother to enjoy a day out safely, without risk to his vision. Sadly, this company has failed us. Shameful.

This has been such an easy process to complete. A fantastic idea too giving that little bit of extra support. The team have been very clear in what to do and making the application straightforward and communicating the outcome. Excellent thank you.

Applied for the card over a month ago said would take 5-10working days. Called the number no one answers, emailed 3 time even emailed the urgent email address still no reply. Taken £15 from a disabled person don’t even reply to emails I believe this is a SCAM please be aware don’t use

Card is a barrier to access. Application process not fit for purpose

I am very satisfied with service and product. I hadn't fully understood an aspect of the application so had reached out via email. It took a day or two for reply but my application was well ahead of trip. Access card fully sorted out due to excellent service.

For us as a family it was a little frustrating. Once again another process where you have to prove your child’s disability and refused because at aged 4 (almost 5) she needs a parent. Yet for every single service that we have to access due to her Autism, Situational Mutism, and sensory difficulties have had to be proven that we do additional to what an average parent would have to support the needs of a child.

After all DWP agreed that’s why she gets MRC (not yet entitled to mobility due to age) and has a long award until she’s 12 due to recognising her needs. I’ve also had to give up work as she hasn’t been able to do many hours at nursery and will be part time schooling which means I get a little on UC - which also allows me carers due to them recognising our issues.

Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t argue about the decision because I just don’t need to prove ourselves anymore. Of course it would have helped us financially especially when we often leave somewhere because my daughter struggles. It felt like it was just presumed we were after a freebie (although from what I see online was just a generic email back).

I had her ASD report, OT, IDS, Audiology and the paperwork for her EHCP so couldn’t have given much more. More so than my lovely friend whose son was awarded a +1 with very little evidence so it can be confusing.

Everything was done very quickly though and I’m glad others are helped using this scheme, it definitely makes it easier than explaining all the time to lots of people that don’t understand.

Edit: just to add many places still accept the DLA and carers as proof but one place we went to has now changed to this access card only. I have emailed them directly so I’d suggest if anyone else is refused +1 who only allow access card to email the company (I’ve been asked to send across all the paperwork so may be worth trying that way). Especially if previously you could use the DLA/carers paperwork as proof.