Petition Summary:

We call on theme parks, zoos, and recreational venues to end indirect discrimination in their accessibility policies by recognizing hidden disabilities, as required by the Equality Act 2010, the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), and Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidelines. Current policies that require physical mobility documentation, such as the high-rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), are nearly impossible to obtain for children with hidden disabilities—even those with severe mental impairment (SMI) and significant behavioral challenges. Many policies also require doctor’s letters, even though assessing queuing capabilities often falls outside a doctor’s expertise. These policies exclude them from equal access, and we urge venues to update their policies to reflect inclusivity and UK law so that all children, regardless of disability type, can enjoy equal access.

Full Petition:

Under the Equality Act 2010 and the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), individuals with disabilities are protected against both direct and indirect discrimination, and all organizations are required to make reasonable adjustments to ensure equal access. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) explicitly states that policies must not indirectly exclude people with hidden disabilities or create unnecessary barriers to access.

Currently, many recreational venues are not fully compliant with this legislation. Policies requiring physical mobility documentation, such as the high-rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), for ride access eligibility indirectly discriminate against children with hidden disabilities, like autism, ADHD, and sensory processing disorders. In our experience, high-rate mobility has been nearly impossible to obtain for my son, who has severe mental impairment (SMI) and significant behavioral challenges. The policy excludes him because it fails to consider the challenges faced by children with severe cognitive and behavioral disabilities, focusing instead solely on physical mobility needs.

As an example, my own son, who has hidden disabilities, was recently refused access by Crealy Theme Park because he does not receive the high-rate mobility component. Despite his significant needs and previous access to accommodations, we were told he could not qualify under the new policy - a policy developed in consultation with Nimbus Disability, the organization advising Crealy on accessibility practices. This exclusion left our family, and many others like us, unable to fully enjoy the park’s facilities due to inaccessible policies.

Why This Matters:

Indirect Discrimination Under the Equality Act: By only recognizing physical mobility needs, these policies indirectly discriminate against children with hidden disabilities. The Equality Act and EHRC guidance make clear that indirect discrimination occurs when a policy puts people with certain disabilities at a disadvantage without justifiable reason.

Barrier to Equal Access: Families often find it nearly impossible to obtain high-rate mobility for children with hidden disabilities, even when they face severe mental impairment and behavioral challenges that require constant supervision. Current requirements for physical mobility documentation create a barrier to access for families with children whose disabilities are sensory, cognitive, or neurodevelopmental in nature.

Legal Requirement for Reasonable Adjustments: The DDA and the EHRC Code of Practice state that reasonable adjustments must be made to accommodate all disabilities. Adjusting accessibility policies to include hidden disabilities would fulfill this legal obligation, ensuring children with sensory, cognitive, or neurodevelopmental disabilities are treated equitably.

Our Request: We respectfully urge theme parks, zoos, and other recreational venues to:

Update ride access policies to recognize hidden disabilities by allowing proof through alternative documentation.

Remove the physical mobility requirement and the demand for doctor’s letters from ride access schemes, allowing all disabled children to benefit from equal access without excessive financial or administrative burdens.

Implement ride access schemes that allow children to wait outside of the queue as a reasonable adjustment, providing them with a fair opportunity to enjoy rides.

Educate staff about the EHRC guidelines, the Equality Act 2010, and the DDA to ensure they understand the importance of inclusivity and comply with legal standards.

By adjusting policies to align with the Equality Act, DDA, and EHRC guidance, recreational venues can provide an accessible and welcoming experience for all children, with or without visible disabilities. Join us in supporting this call for equal access and fair treatment for all.

Thank you for standing with us in the fight for Equal Accessibility for All.

Sincerely,
Rebecca Barrow

Advocate for Equal Accessibility and Compliance with Disability Law