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Assistance dogs limited to "sensory impairment"??
- Emma Frith
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6 years 1 month ago #207573 by Emma Frith
Assistance dogs limited to "sensory impairment"?? was created by Emma Frith
Hi, I am filling in my PIP2 and I have been looking at the definitions used. It says that
I am confused as to why the DWP has limited their definition to sensory impairment, therefore different from the one used in the equality act. I also have no real concept as to whether the decision makers see using an assistance dog as needing more points or less points. Can anyone help me understand it better?
Now... I am with a charity called DogAID, that is affiliated with ADUK (same as guide dogs and hearing dogs and many other charities). My dog is half way through her training to be a mobility assistance dog. I am a wheelchair user, and she helps me around the home, and is learning to open doors, press buttons for crossings etc. I know of other charities and individuals that train fully skilled assistance dogs (recognised under the equality act) that help people to balance to be able to walk straight, that provide assistance for ptsd, that support people with autism, that warn people of dangerous medical conditions, all of which come into play when planning and following a route, and when moving around, as well as daily living.Assistance dog means a dog trained to guide or assist a person with a sensory impairment
I am confused as to why the DWP has limited their definition to sensory impairment, therefore different from the one used in the equality act. I also have no real concept as to whether the decision makers see using an assistance dog as needing more points or less points. Can anyone help me understand it better?
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- Gordon
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6 years 1 month ago #207596 by Gordon
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gordon on topic Assistance dogs limited to "sensory impairment"??
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I would make two points;
First you are looking at this from the wrong direction, it is the Descriptors that decide on the relevance not the definitions.
Secondly, the use of an aid for this activity actually reduces or even removes the likelihood of scoring.
The Going Out activity look at three areas of problem; planning a route, undertaking a journey and following a route. Conditions are limited to sensory, cognitive or mental health issues, physical issues will not be considered for this activity.
I will ignore the first two as the use of a guide or assistance dog is not relevant, leaving just Descriptors (d) and (f).
Following a route is all about the difficulty that a claimant might have with navigating from one place to another. I am generalising but someone who is blind would be limited because they would not be able to see where they are and where they need to go, someone who is deaf may not be aware of dangers and is therefore unsafe to travel, cognitive problems may mean that a claimant is unable to understand the route they need to travel and mental health issues may mean that the claimant becomes so distressed by situations they encounter on the route that they are unable to continue.
The use of a suitable guide or assistance dog may mean that a claimant can successfully follow a route that they would not be able to do otherwise, so in aiding them to complete the activity it actually prevents them scoring points. So the limited definition is actually an advantage to someone with PTSD as an example, who may only be able to go out with the support of their assistance dog.
Gordon
assist a person with a sensory impairment
Welcome to the forum, you might want to have a look at the following FAQ which explain where everything is
Welcome to Benefits and Work
In case you are not aware, your real name appears to be showing in the forum, if you want to change this then follow the instructions in the following FAQ
My full name is showing, how can I stop it?
I would make two points;
First you are looking at this from the wrong direction, it is the Descriptors that decide on the relevance not the definitions.
Secondly, the use of an aid for this activity actually reduces or even removes the likelihood of scoring.
The Going Out activity look at three areas of problem; planning a route, undertaking a journey and following a route. Conditions are limited to sensory, cognitive or mental health issues, physical issues will not be considered for this activity.
I will ignore the first two as the use of a guide or assistance dog is not relevant, leaving just Descriptors (d) and (f).
Following a route is all about the difficulty that a claimant might have with navigating from one place to another. I am generalising but someone who is blind would be limited because they would not be able to see where they are and where they need to go, someone who is deaf may not be aware of dangers and is therefore unsafe to travel, cognitive problems may mean that a claimant is unable to understand the route they need to travel and mental health issues may mean that the claimant becomes so distressed by situations they encounter on the route that they are unable to continue.
The use of a suitable guide or assistance dog may mean that a claimant can successfully follow a route that they would not be able to do otherwise, so in aiding them to complete the activity it actually prevents them scoring points. So the limited definition is actually an advantage to someone with PTSD as an example, who may only be able to go out with the support of their assistance dog.
Gordon
assist a person with a sensory impairment
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
The following user(s) said Thank You: Emma Frith
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