No improvement to our disabled ticket arrangements then... Following the distribution of our Season Card renewal packs and subsequent queries from our loyal disabled supporters, we would like to clarify that there is no change to our policy for disabled supporters for the 2015/16 season. All disabled supporters, including Ambulant disabled and those requiring wheelchair spaces, remain entitled to claim a free Season Card for a carer. However, please note that you are more than welcome to attend games independently if you so wish and that the accompaniment of a carer is not a condition of issue. We apologise for any confusion caused. http://www.hullcitytigers.com/news/...d-supporters-2427323.aspx#pDgh2dmVAAtBGCxc.99
The renewal forms implied that if you were disabled you HAD to have a carer, and that's what's being clarified. The bigger issue is the fact that all disabled fans still have to pay full price, something that was supposed to be addressed, but hasn't been(at least not yet).
Being disabled doesn't mean you are so poor you need a price reduction. That sounds a bit uncaring but isn't meant to be. I know someone sufficiently disabled to be entitled to a disabled seat.He has over £500,000 in the bank awarded because of the accident which lead to this. Same as under 22s. Many under 22s have more disposable income than their parents.
I get what you mean, especially when your getting two passes for the price of one and some of the best seats in the ground. I guess the idea of a discount is more for those who cannot work through no fault of their own and have to live on disability benefits. I think the under 22 one is fair though, we need to encourage as many people from the next generation to attend as possible, its still bloody expensive and given the low wage and high unemployment in Hull I'd be surprised if many under 22's could afford a full price pass.
I doubt there's a significant number of our disabled fans who have £500k in the bank. I'm not sure there's a single other Premier League club that charges its disabled fans full price, even Arsenal who have the highest prices in the league, charge disabled fans as little as £12.75 for a Cat C game and they still get a free carer if required. There's plenty of grounds that charge less for a restricted view seat, but we charge full price for people who can't see anything at all.
I can think of one long time fan I know from going back to the 1960s who has had concessions in the past and who now has a carer who gets in free and the reason for his disability is he is an alcoholic. Someone under on minimum wage will have more disposable income than their parents if living at home in many cases. Some not living at home might well have given housing benefit, tax credits etc. a lot of them will spend far more on booze and ***s or SKY TV. It isn't the fact they don't have the money to buy a season ticket but what their priorities are. A different kettle of fish to people who have families as in their case the family should be the priority.
Most clubs have a set of rules for who qualifies as disabled and being an alcoholic certainly isn't one of them.
Was just giving an extreme example. But I do know of people who are disabled who take umbrage at being treated as though they are a charity case, many of them holding down well paid jobs. They would rather have decent facilities and seats they can see the game properly from.
I suppose there are many variables in both categories, for some the discount is the only way they can attend, for others its just a bonus that they get cheaper seats when they could afford to pay full price. Without assessing peoples disabilities or asking for young peoples bank statements there's not much that can be done about it, its just one of those things.
Most clubs have restrictions, just being registered disabled isn't enough, you have to meet certain criteria, as an example this is Southampton's... - Middle or Higher Rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - Attendance Allowance (AA) - Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) - War Disabled Pension - Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI 2003) - Enhanced Personal Independence Payment (PIP) http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/fans/disabled-supporters/index.aspx#I7GXW3L07zffczZI.99
In that case could a disabled fan who does not meet those criteria still buy a disabled seat, but just at full price?
I think they assume that anyone who doesn't need any financial help from the state, doesn't need a discounted season ticket, so yes.
Apparently, of the 92 football league clubs, Hull City are the only one not to offer any discount on disabled tickets.
I know a lad who's classed as disabled purely because he's a fruit loop. He's thick as **** but otherwise there's nothing wrong with him. He makes a mint from benefits and decided to live on a canal boat so with far lower expenses he has even more free cash. He blows it all on ****, because he's an idiot. And a ****. I don't like him.
My dad was disabled and even got picked to represent GB in the para olympics, but he turned the offer down as he didn't class himself as being disabled
