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Satnavs as orientation aids
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1 week 1 day ago #307764 by HC
Satnavs as orientation aids was created by HC
"An orientation aid includes a long cane used by a person with sight impairment, and any other ‘specialist aid’ fitting the description above. It does not include ordinary satnavs found in cars or on mobile phones (SSWP v NF - [2017] UKUT 480). "
In one of your trainings on aids, it mentions that satnavs aren't an aid. But I have extreme anxiety particularly on unfamiliar routes and without this I would have intense anxiety and stress. I wouldn't be able to figure my way around. Is there no leeway at all for these devices?
In one of your trainings on aids, it mentions that satnavs aren't an aid. But I have extreme anxiety particularly on unfamiliar routes and without this I would have intense anxiety and stress. I wouldn't be able to figure my way around. Is there no leeway at all for these devices?
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1 week 1 day ago #307766 by LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by LL26 on topic Satnavs as orientation aids
Hi HC,
No wriggle room on this I'm afraid, unless you have a more specialist sat nav designed for disabled people.
Think about how you cope with journeys- do you still feel anxious/panicky etc with sat nav? What happens if there is a road closure?
If you still feel anxiety etc whikst using saf nav, thus suggests thst you are not reaching an 'acceptable standard' in accordance with Regulation 4 (2A).
(This is one if the 4 'reliability' criteria which also comprise safety, repetition and reasonable time.) If any such anxiety is 'overwhelming psychological distress' and applies on all journeys, then you might fall within Mobility Descriptor 1e. Otherwise this might indicate you need to be accompanied on unfamiliar journeys.
Think also whether you are able to go to any place that might be reasonably need to go to. Bear in mind that journeys need to be done repeatedly.
Think about a possible day (ignoring any disability)
Take kids to school
Go to post office
Go to bank
Go home
Go to dentist
Pick up kids
Go to supermarket
Etc etc
Each of these tasks will comprise journeys, either on foot, in a car or other vehicle or a bit of each. They could be short 5 minute car rides, or longer rides into town and back. They could also be eg a hospital appointment in the city, or a visit to a distant relative.
Question can you complete all these sorts of journeys every day as requured?
If not why not?- do you avoid going out? Perhaps your disability prevents this, or certainly prevents multiple journeys per day. If this is the case what help would you need to overcome these problems?
Then, look again at the various descriptors and see how you fit within one or more of these. If only one descriptor applies for the majority of days, (bearing in mind that any day where you can't 'repeat' will count towards that majority,) then thst descriptor level should be awarded. If 2 or more apply equally the highest value score should be awarded, or otherwise the most prevalent descriptor if your disabilities vary so one than descriptor applies but not equally.
I hope this helps.
LL26
No wriggle room on this I'm afraid, unless you have a more specialist sat nav designed for disabled people.
Think about how you cope with journeys- do you still feel anxious/panicky etc with sat nav? What happens if there is a road closure?
If you still feel anxiety etc whikst using saf nav, thus suggests thst you are not reaching an 'acceptable standard' in accordance with Regulation 4 (2A).
(This is one if the 4 'reliability' criteria which also comprise safety, repetition and reasonable time.) If any such anxiety is 'overwhelming psychological distress' and applies on all journeys, then you might fall within Mobility Descriptor 1e. Otherwise this might indicate you need to be accompanied on unfamiliar journeys.
Think also whether you are able to go to any place that might be reasonably need to go to. Bear in mind that journeys need to be done repeatedly.
Think about a possible day (ignoring any disability)
Take kids to school
Go to post office
Go to bank
Go home
Go to dentist
Pick up kids
Go to supermarket
Etc etc
Each of these tasks will comprise journeys, either on foot, in a car or other vehicle or a bit of each. They could be short 5 minute car rides, or longer rides into town and back. They could also be eg a hospital appointment in the city, or a visit to a distant relative.
Question can you complete all these sorts of journeys every day as requured?
If not why not?- do you avoid going out? Perhaps your disability prevents this, or certainly prevents multiple journeys per day. If this is the case what help would you need to overcome these problems?
Then, look again at the various descriptors and see how you fit within one or more of these. If only one descriptor applies for the majority of days, (bearing in mind that any day where you can't 'repeat' will count towards that majority,) then thst descriptor level should be awarded. If 2 or more apply equally the highest value score should be awarded, or otherwise the most prevalent descriptor if your disabilities vary so one than descriptor applies but not equally.
I hope this helps.
LL26
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- HC
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2 days 7 hours ago #308007 by HC
Replied by HC on topic Satnavs as orientation aids
I did wrote a post just now but when I submitted an error came up and I lost it. Not what I need when my energy is low! Anyway, thank you so much for your detailed response it's really appreciated. I don't go out anywhere sometimes for weeks at a time. I get shopping delivered because all of this; whether I'm driving or walking takes too much energy (I hae an autoimmune condition and fibromyalgia). Husband drives if we go somewhere unfamiliar. I get anxiety if a road is closed and start to panic. My GP at the time suggested CBT which I had a few sessions a few years back. I don't want to go back and they start giving me more medication than I'm already on.
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