Discussion: Should We Have To Show Proof Of Disability On Public Transport?
@goldencaesar sent me a message on Twitter this morning that has led to an interesting discussion between us. I thought it was worth bringing up here.
She had seen a Tweet (Twitter post) by a disabled person who was upset because she had been asked to show her Disabled Person’s Rail Card on a train. The post was quite insulting towards the railway worker who had made the request.
Goldencaesar asked me what I thought. I responded that if the person thought she was being asked for proof of her disability, that would be frustrating and insulting. I had a similar experience on a bus once, where a passenger asked me if I had a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass. My disability means it is very difficult for me to use public transport. I rarely do, so I don’t have a Disabled Person’s Bus Pass. I was upset and quite insulted at the question as I don’t think it is anyone’s business to ask for proof of my disability. So I can understand the feelings of the disabled person Goldencaesar was talking about.
Goldencaesar doesn’t see anything wrong with being asked to show Disabled Person’s Rail Cards as they are discount cards that have to be paid for so every disabled person will not necessarily have one. She agreed that this is an interesting debate.
So, how do you feel about being asked to show proof of your disability on public transport? Please share your views and experiences below. Thanks!
Same Difference 
Under the Railcard’s terms and conditions (T & C’s), It must be shown when buying tickets AND when asked to do so by a member of staff ttp://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/terms-and-conditions (see paragraph 5).
It helps if people read the T & C’s before signing up to stuff! the “moral” argument of whether you should be asked to or not is irrelevant in such circumstances.
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I mind being asked to show proof of my disability, but I don’t mind being asked to show my Disabled Persons’ RailCard because – as the previous commenter states – that is in the terms and conditions for owning one, and not every person with a disability *does* have a DPRC.
In this specific instance, I think the poster’s in the wrong. But I would not appreciate having to show proof of my disability were I on a bus and trying to get to sit down in one of the disabled-specific seats, for example.
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Another couple of thoughts spring to mind. I don’t know, of course, but being asked for “proof of disability” etc might just be a a bit of a ham fist way of asking “show me your rail card.” It’s not elegant or sensitive but it is understandable.
Also, concessionary travel is dependent on possession of a rail card. No rail card, no concession. Simples!
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The actual person tweeted that the railway employee was a prat for asking to view their Disabled Persons Railcard and also filed their tweet with the hashtag #arse.
I was quite saddened to see this, as I understand the DPR is a type of discount card, one that needs to be purchased and not given free of charge due to disability.
So, I believe, it is perfectly feasible for any person with a visible impairment to be using a train and not have such a railcard, therefore, perfectly reasonable for the member of staff to enquire if the person had one and perhaps request to see it.
I know quite a few people who fit the description of the original poster, and some have never owned a DPR in their life, simply because their train travel is quite rare and it is financially not worth them buying one.
I do not think the person was being asked to prove they had a disability, nor indeed what that disability might be. Simply, did they have the discount card to purchase a ticket at a reduced price.
For many years, I have been involved campaigning for equality, not priority, but it is hard to imagine why some folk think they have some sort of priority because of the way they look.
Of course it can be a drag reaching into ones coat or bag when in a hurry, but if we wish to avail ourselves of a particular discount then I feel we should be prepared to prove entitlement to that discount.
I was appalled to see someone call a railway worker, who clearly was just doing their job a “prat” and an “arse” for doing so.
Life travelling by train can be hit and miss at the best of times, let’s not alienate the staff by calling them schoolyard names simply because we cannot accord them the respect they deserve for simply doing their job.
Oh, and yes, I did ask the person why they should not be showing their railcard … rather than explain their outburst, they blocked me!
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