DLA Concessions?

[SMEE]

Does anyone know if the club are still doing DLA Concessions to games? If so....what are the requirements. In the past, i think the system has been discriminatory, as depsite me qualifying for DLA (which is the MAIN determining factor, without which i wouldnt be considered), because i didnt have a "Carer" i wasnt accepted under the scheme. Now....surely the fact i get DLA should be enuff to qualify. Just coz i dont have a carer shouldnt mean i am not afforded the same privalages as a physially handicapped person. I get DLA on Mental Health grounds....so i feel that the club are demeaning my health issues, just coz i dont have a Carer.

PS...i did try about 20 times to email the club thro the new site....but that stoopit forking capatcha thing (whoever came up with that should be shot!!) I obviously wasnt getting the unfathomable wording correct.

Edited August 15, 2011 by SMEE

[Scotty]

RE: the Captcha on site. It is industry standard and very few sites will not use some form of captcha to filter out spam attacks on vulnerable pages. If the captcha was removed you can guarantee several hundred (if not thousands) of bogus emails per day ....

There is an option to listen to the captcha - right next to where the entry should go, or to refresh it if the words are unreadable. Alternatively, create an account on the site and login and then you will not be subjected to the captcha engine.

[SMEE]

Just to clarify....you could get a severly handicapped individual, who has a carer, but unless they get DLA....they would not be accepted under the scheme. I get DLA, but dont have a "carer", but i fail to see why someone who has a carer should be afforded more consideration than someone like myself. Is the fact i get DLA not enuff to qualify?

BTW. the capatcha statement i made wasnt directed at those behind the running of the site. Its more aimed at the numpty that thought putting up illegible words is a good idea. I have 20-20 vision and often get them wrong (The ICT site being the worst run I have had of getting them worng ever), I know elderly people....like my dad...REALLY struggle with them. As for that audio part....thats even worse....they remind me of the recordings you used to get, with 1970s supernatural magazines, of alleged spirits talking!

Edited August 15, 2011 by SMEE

[PullMyFinger]

Is the fact i get DLA not enuff to qualify?

If that was the case at Parkhead and Ibrox they would lose millions from their income. DLA is the main source of income in some areas of Glasgow.

Can you not get a "carer" :devious: to escort you?

[SMEE]

Is the fact i get DLA not enuff to qualify?

If that was the case at Parkhead and Ibrox they would lose millions from their income. DLA is the main source of income in some areas of Glasgow.

Can you not get a "carer" :devious: to escort you?

I know what yer saying....its just id rather be above board about it. I just feel that its one thing to require the individual to meet certain criteria (ie be in reciept of DLA) but to then start trying to start eliminating people who meet that criteria is pretty unfair, especially when they have no concept of what mental health problems are like. I feel i am being penalised based on my very real health circumstances

by the By.....its only a limited amount of DLA concessions available at any ground. At the end of the day....what does it matter of the seats are lying empty anyway? I had always paid my way, supporting football in Inverness, since the mid 70s. My circumstances are that i cant really afford it these past few years. Hence why I was looking into the DLA concession. I feel to set a criteria is accpetable....to then start setting further criteria, withing the original criteria is wrong.

Edited August 15, 2011 by SMEE

[PullMyFinger]

I thought it was the carer/escort who got the free admission anyway? In fact I'm quite sure it is, so you're not actually missing out on anything other than getting someone else in for free.

[SMEE]

well....it may have changed. When i was told about it...it was both the DLA holder + 1 that got in free. It may have changed since then. I managed to email the club thro the old site...so all see whats what soon im sure. Failing this...Radio on a Saturday afternoon it will remain to be :)

[PullMyFinger]

There is a supporters club (CLAN) who negotiate discounted season tickets, that may be your best bet. Someone at the Supporters Trust should be able to give you details.

[Georgeios]

SMEE im with you on this one but get sick of the nah sayers, I walk with a stick and get DLA but cant be arsed with all the carry on trying to get it, it took me 2 years to fill in that 60 odd questionar asking things that not being a Dr i couldnt answer them properly, in a horrid way i wonder how much they will give me off my ticket when im in a chair or fall somewhere having told the club of my Disabilitys but got nothing in return, oh to oh to be...

I remember a couple of years ago touching on the Forces discont thread, so i dont bother no.

[PullMyFinger]

Like I already suggested, talk to someone in the Supporters Trust. There is a supporters club targetted at fans with additional needs. I'm sure someone can offer advise or even help directly.

[Georgeios]

Let us know smee, I'm waiting for a blue badge to be awarded in the mean time I have a long hobble....

[CaleyD]

I'm on the Trust Board, but I'm not fully up to speed on the discussions which have been taking place between CLAN (Disabled Supporters Association) and the Club.

Although CTO is not an official communication point for either, I have made them aware of the thread and asked if they could provide some information.

[SMEE]

It seems the goalposts have been moved yet again. The email i was sent went as follows:

Basically if you are in receipt of medium to high DLA you would be entitled to a discounted ticket for games or for the season. If have a requirement for a carer you would get 2 tickets for the same price as 1. The rationale is not worked out on a financial basis, it is more to allow someone who requires care to attend the game at no extra cost and therefore a carer ticket is included in the same price.

Many clubs don?t recognise ambulant disabled, but at ICT we do and we offer a very good rate, quite a bit less than the concession rate for comparable seating.

So...only SOME people on DLA are entitled to anything.

[CaleyD]

What exactly is it you're looking for or expect to get?

[SMEE]

Im not expecting anything.....especially when the requirements and conditions seem to change every season. I was merely seeing if the DLA concession, as it was last time i investigated about it, was still available. But its completely different now

Edited August 17, 2011 by SMEE

[+Feb82000]

says if you join Caley Thistle Disabled Supporters Association you do get a cheap season ticket.will look into it

[ICTShop]

There is a discounted season ticket available to all fans in receipt of mid - high DLA. There is also an extra discount for members of CLAN.

The only change I'm aware off is that there is now a cost, whereas it was free before. This was discussed at length with the National Disabled Association and CLAN before being put in place.

Hopefully CLAN will confirm the date of their next meeting where you could go along and be part of future discussions.

[SMEE]

It used to be ANYONE on DLA....now....its only those on mid to high rate. Let me assure you....this is not a fair way to work it as there are people who qualify for this yet their medical issues are results of self abuse.....then people like myself, whos medical issues are naturally occuring who dont qualify. I think it should be open to ANYONE on DLA!

[tm4tj]

Smee, I can only suggest you take this up directly with the club, or whoever decides the parameters for the discounts/allowances.

CTO itself can not do anything about this issue, regardless of who is right or wrong.

The trust/clan would be another option open to you to further your position regarding this, as mentioned above.

good luck with it

[ICTShop]

As I suggested above, join CLAN and make you views heard through the proper channels.

[SMEE]

Ach.....al just have to stick to listening to games on the Radio

[+MrCaleyjag]

If it's something you feel strongly about then you should look into it more and see what can be done, maybe you can't do it yourself but I am sure with help from those in the know the issues you have highlighted will be raised at the appropriate level.

If not for this reason to be at least given a proper answer to the reasons into why the decision was taken to only make the scheme accessible to those in receipt of medium/high DLA.

Having been in receipt of high level DLA on two occasions myself I understand how difficult it is to even get the benefit you need then when you have it all the extra forms etc you have to fill in to become eligable for certain exemptions, sometimes it's easier not to have it and not be eligable.

[Scotty]

There is a discounted season ticket available to all fans in receipt of mid - high DLA. There is also an extra discount for members of CLAN. The only change I'm aware off is that there is now a cost, whereas it was free before. This was discussed at length with the National Disabled Association and CLAN before being put in place. Hopefully CLAN will confirm the date of their next meeting where you could go along and be part of future discussions.

It used to be ANYONE on DLA....now....its only those on mid to high rate. Let me assure you....this is not a fair way to work it as there are people who qualify for this yet their medical issues are results of self abuse.....then people like myself, whos medical issues are naturally occuring who dont qualify. I think it should be open to ANYONE on DLA!

Smee, I can only suggest you take this up directly with the club, or whoever decides the parameters for the discounts/allowances. CTO itself can not do anything about this issue, regardless of who is right or wrong. The trust/clan would be another option open to you to further your position regarding this, as mentioned above. good luck with it

Ach.....al just have to stick to listening to games on the Radio

I mean no disrespect with this post SMEE, and I am not trying to minimise or compare your diagnosed condition to any other person entitled (or not entitled) to DLA concessions at the TCS as I am not qualified to do so .... However, on a pure discussion basis, it comes across that you feel you are entitled to a discount or a freebie, yet when legitimate suggestions are made on ways where you can put in even a small effort to get your point across and argue your case for that concession, either with the club, the Trust, or with CLAN, its a case of ...."f*** it, cant be bothered, I'll listen to the radio". You want the concession, but equally you seem to want someone else to try and get it for you ......

Sorry, but no-one is going to hand it to you on a plate, especially a business who are prepared to make concessions where it is required, or where a good case is made by representative groups or as the result of discussions with those groups. Equally, those representative groups are not going to represent you unless you actually speak up and make your point ... You obviously feel strongly, and if your opinion holds water with those who know far more about it than most of us on here, or who have direct access to the club in shaping this policy, surely it is worth it to get involved, even if only briefly ?

[Murchison]

Again I don't have any knowledge of the OP, but with the nature of DLA, it may very well be that people in reciept don't have the capacity to go to lengths to make a case, no matter how easy that task may seem to most people. Smee, I would suggest speaking to or showing this threat to a family member or friend, and getting assistance in making a request and stating your case to the club. Policies such as this are put in place, but i'm sure they can be made flexible on a case by case basis. Someone who knows you and your circumstances would be best to do this for you, if you don't feel you can do it yourself.

[SMEE]

I mean no disrespect with this post SMEE, and I am not trying to minimise or compare your diagnosed condition to any other person entitled (or not entitled) to DLA concessions at the TCS as I am not qualified to do so .... However, on a pure discussion basis, it comes across that you feel you are entitled to a discount or a freebie, yet when legitimate suggestions are made on ways where you can put in even a small effort to get your point across and argue your case for that concession, either with the club, the Trust, or with CLAN, its a case of ...."f*** it, cant be bothered, I'll listen to the radio". You want the concession, but equally you seem to want someone else to try and get it for you ......

Sorry, but no-one is going to hand it to you on a plate, especially a business who are prepared to make concessions where it is required, or where a good case is made by representative groups or as the result of discussions with those groups. Equally, those representative groups are not going to represent you unless you actually speak up and make your point ... You obviously feel strongly, and if your opinion holds water with those who know far more about it than most of us on here, or who have direct access to the club in shaping this policy, surely it is worth it to get involved, even if only briefly ?

I USED to be eligible to get the DLA concession....certainly up until the season prior to last.....as i had applied for it and been accepted, even tho they had changed the format from prior seasons.....BUT......i never made use of it. In the end, instead of using the concession...i usually just paid the going rate at the gate on the rare occasion i could make it to a game.

Trust me on this.........its far from the case that i expect anyone to get anything on my behaalf. Im very adept at taking on organisations that Make ICT look like small fry....and winning! I just cant be bothered getting stuck in on this occasion

Edited August 17, 2011 by SMEE