Hounslow Freedom Pass Holders Refused Renewal
Patrick | 22.05.2010 21:24 | Analysis | Health | Social Struggles
These are the two cases that have come to light with council spokeman lying through his teeth saying the Government set the criteria.
Woman 'not deaf enough' for a Freedom Pass
May 17 2010 By Jessica Thompson
Tina Williams from Brentford who has hearing problems and wears a hearing aid has had her freedom pass withdrawn after 28 years because she is not deaf enough to be granted it.
A FREEDOM Pass holder of 28 years from Brentford has had it taken away because she is not deaf enough.
Christina Williams, of Hazel Close, told The Chronicle of her anger at Hounslow Council for withdrawing the ticket for free travel.
The 44-year-old teaching assistant at Woodbridge Park Education Centre said: "I have had problems with my hearing since I was six, it's a damaged nerve and it's never going to go away.
"This will affect my independence, it means I don't have to rely on people. Why give it to me in the first place, it's the principle of this that has annoyed me."
The mother of two has hearing problems in both ears and has to use a hearing aid. She says she has submitted three audiograms to Hounslow Council as well as appealing the decision three times but has had no success in overturning the decision.
After receiving correspondence from the council, Miss Williams claims to be only 2dBHL off being entitled to a pass under the new criteria.
She said: "They have told me I have only mild to moderate hearing loss, if this was the case as they say then why do I need a hearing aid and a loop installed in my home? Why after 28 years have they decided to take it now and why wait this long to change their policies?"
She is not the first reader to get in contact with The Chronicle, Yvonne Chappell, 39, of Bath Road in Hounslow was told her IQ was not low enough to be given a pass when she reapplied.
A spokesman from Hounslow Council said: “The Government sets clear criteria for those with hearing difficulties applying for a Freedom Pass. Unfortunately for Mrs Williams, she does not meet these. Her disappointment is understandable, but we hope she appreciates that these criteria are there to make sure the system helps those who need it most.”
I feel it would benefit so many who've originally had the pass for many years and have now been refused it on the most diabolical made up lies, you either have a disability or you don't and if you are registered disabled then you should be entitled to the pass.
Hounslow council seem to be the biggest offenders right now with spokesmen saying that there is a criteria set out by the Government
which is a total lie to deprive so many with disabilities from receiving a pass which they've had for many years previously.
The question that should be asked is when did the criteria change for anyone who had the pass previously when it was renewed every two years or did the changes come about when the pass was extended to five years this year?
How dare they deny anyone with a disability from having the freedom pass to get around. It just goes to show that the most vulnerable in society are an easy target for bastards like these ones in Hounslow.
It would be nice for people who have had similar experiences to get together and organise even if you have your pass to assist those who've been denied it because next time it could be you denied it and councils giving you the the excuses & lies.
Patrick (Freedom Pass Holder)
May 17 2010 By Jessica Thompson
Tina Williams from Brentford who has hearing problems and wears a hearing aid has had her freedom pass withdrawn after 28 years because she is not deaf enough to be granted it.
A FREEDOM Pass holder of 28 years from Brentford has had it taken away because she is not deaf enough.
Christina Williams, of Hazel Close, told The Chronicle of her anger at Hounslow Council for withdrawing the ticket for free travel.
The 44-year-old teaching assistant at Woodbridge Park Education Centre said: "I have had problems with my hearing since I was six, it's a damaged nerve and it's never going to go away.
"This will affect my independence, it means I don't have to rely on people. Why give it to me in the first place, it's the principle of this that has annoyed me."
The mother of two has hearing problems in both ears and has to use a hearing aid. She says she has submitted three audiograms to Hounslow Council as well as appealing the decision three times but has had no success in overturning the decision.
After receiving correspondence from the council, Miss Williams claims to be only 2dBHL off being entitled to a pass under the new criteria.
She said: "They have told me I have only mild to moderate hearing loss, if this was the case as they say then why do I need a hearing aid and a loop installed in my home? Why after 28 years have they decided to take it now and why wait this long to change their policies?"
She is not the first reader to get in contact with The Chronicle, Yvonne Chappell, 39, of Bath Road in Hounslow was told her IQ was not low enough to be given a pass when she reapplied.
A spokesman from Hounslow Council said: “The Government sets clear criteria for those with hearing difficulties applying for a Freedom Pass. Unfortunately for Mrs Williams, she does not meet these. Her disappointment is understandable, but we hope she appreciates that these criteria are there to make sure the system helps those who need it most.”
I feel it would benefit so many who've originally had the pass for many years and have now been refused it on the most diabolical made up lies, you either have a disability or you don't and if you are registered disabled then you should be entitled to the pass.
Hounslow council seem to be the biggest offenders right now with spokesmen saying that there is a criteria set out by the Government
which is a total lie to deprive so many with disabilities from receiving a pass which they've had for many years previously.
The question that should be asked is when did the criteria change for anyone who had the pass previously when it was renewed every two years or did the changes come about when the pass was extended to five years this year?
How dare they deny anyone with a disability from having the freedom pass to get around. It just goes to show that the most vulnerable in society are an easy target for bastards like these ones in Hounslow.
It would be nice for people who have had similar experiences to get together and organise even if you have your pass to assist those who've been denied it because next time it could be you denied it and councils giving you the the excuses & lies.
Patrick (Freedom Pass Holder)
Patrick
e-mail:
the.big.mac.32@gmail.com
Comments
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Always the vulnerable who are targetted
23.05.2010 15:29
Who was it who decided to what level of deafness you have to be to qualify ? would it have been the same person who decided you can obtain a freedom pass at the age of 60 whilst still at work earning a living and not wait until retirement age ?
Or was it the person who decided that the people unable to see still have to partially pay for a TV licence
I can understand guidelines being set and also being changed, but not changing them for any existing Freedom pass holders would make more sense, once a persons hearing is impaired its never going to improve, only get worse, especially if you have had the condition for 38 years as Miss Williams has.
Would it therefore not make more sense to make this so called guideline apply to new applications only and not cause possible hardship to those already receiving the Freedom Pass ?
Imagine the outcry there would be if those people who retired from work at the retirement age of 65 and started to draw their government pension were then told your not going to get your pension now, even though they had stopped working because the retirement age has now been increased, and they are ineligible to draw it until they reach the new retirement age.
Come on Hounslow use a bit of common sense and do the right thing, reconsider to what your doing to those who are handicapped in some way or other, and not add to their physical problems.
MICHAEL EYERS
42a Grosvenor Road
Chiswick W4 4EG
MICHAEL EYERS