Disabled Identity Card For US Citizens

I suppose it would really depend on how “obvious” your disability is to the sort of response you might get with your home made card. I know there are many valid disabilities that are more hidden.

In the UK, there is a process for getting a disabled person’s railcard in which you apply, provide documentation, and if you meet their criteria, a disabled person railcard is available for purchase. It is not necessary to be A UK resident, but this is really just a discount on transportation. I’m not sure how other countries handle this type of thing and for what different criteria there are.

When we applied for our disability placard for our car it also came.with a state official disability card similar.to a drivers license. Am not sure if you Can get this by itself. We live in PA so not sure how other states issue something like this.. We were able to use it in Europe.

Thank you Carol and Gail.

We are Florida residents, and the state does not offer identity cards to go along with the disabled placards. I called the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle department to check, and I called the auto club. Neither of these places offer cards, nor did the reps have any ideas as to where to get one.

There is a company I found online that issues the cards for $35 plus postage, but they're just a private company. I imagine I could just make my own, but I'm still wondering if I'm missing something.

And Carol, that's a good hint about the UK rail system. It's on my list to visit London, and then Stonehenge via rail. We missed it decades ago when we took the children to Bath, my husband was tired of driving. I will look into getting the disabled card.

Thank you both again.

My advice is to not worry about it. If you have an obvious disability, in a wheelchair, use a cane or walker, etc.; then ask or mention it when getting tickets, most of the time they will offer the discount, or it may only be intended for residents. Part of the problem is that there is likely no "European" card, just measures taken by individual countries within Europe, with some recognition between countries or EU standards. Each sight also will have it's own rules, many times up to the people manning the desk.

In all, for any projected small savings, it is probably not worth the effort, you have the means to pay the full price.

Paul, Thank you for your reply. There is indeed a new EU card being issued shortly. The problem is that some US states issue identity cards with the placards, while others do not. It's not a question of whether or not I can afford it, it's a discount that I am entitled to, and the question is how to prove it.

for the railcard in the UK, here is the webpage including how you document your disability and the price and benefits https://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/

By the way, I think that turning up with a DIY homemade ID is a poor idea.

My wife is disabled and the Therme staff we went to today near Freiburg i B saw my wife sitting in her chair with her white cane and asked for her disability documentation.

Nigel what documentation were you able to show them? This might help the op to know what they could bring, eg a doctors letter.

I showed her the Blue Badge, my Carers Card and her Attendance Allowance Grant letter.

That gained us €1.10 discount for her and not for me. That's 1 euro and 10 cents. The discounts are not huge

That was a very miserly discount. A lot of places in the UK allow a carer to go for free if a person has proof of disability so the overall saving can be very substantial.

That was a very miserly discount.

agreed, and agreed about the UK. Perhaps it does show that not every place is as generous.