Pip planing a unfamiliar journey

Hi Darren

Welcome to the forum.

You might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explains where everything is; www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/guides-for-claimants/faq/forum.

Good question, I have no idea. Unfortunately google map is not a 'orientation aid' for PIP, unless it is especially made for a disabled person. Points can be gained under PIP if an activity can't be done reliably.

Forum members might be able to shed their experience on this question.

Gary

Hi Darren,
Unfortunately, I don't think that Bluetooth hearing aids to connect to Google maps will be 'an orientation aid' under the law. By saying this, I am assuming that these are simply in-ear ear phones, similar to those used to listen to a phone call or music? If my assumption is wrong then there may be further argument to be had. My assumption is also that you just use the ear phones to connect to Google maps because it is easier or less obtrusive to others than eg having to look and listen to a Web page whilst going along.
An 'orientation aid' has to be a specific device made for disabled people, such as a white stick for people who are blind.
Maybe you need to consider further aspects of making journeys?
Does Google maps always get you to the correct place, within 'a reasonable time' ie no more than twice that of non disabled person. (Look at each separate journey, and see how long it should take and how long you take?)
Think about the following - Maybe looking or listening to Google maps makes you need to stop every few moments? (So you are too 'slow'?)
Maybe someone else has to load up Google ready for you to use?
Do you still get lost? Do you still get anxious en route?
Are there any other difficulties you might have in arriving at your chosen destination?
Depending on your answers this might suggest a need to be accompanied?
Think also about safety, acceptable standard. (Here, not arriving or arriving in eg an anxious or dishevelled state might indicate not being acceptable.)
Also being able to repeat throughout the day as many times as reasonably required.
Think also of whether all journeys present the same difficulties. Car, bus, on foot?
Remember, that all journeys will comprise part on foot, even if it is just leaving the front door and later exiting a vehicle next to a building at the end of the journey. The bit in the middle could be all on foot, in a car, bus, train or any combination of all. Think holistically.
Is there anything else healthwise that could impact on your ability to do journeys? This might be fatigue, risk of falls, or fits or simply when anxiety from another cause is too high.
A similar style of analysis ( how a descriptor activity is done etc) can also be adopted in respect of other descriptors which may help identify how to phrase answers in respect of how other descriptors are done or not done.
I hope this helps.
LL26