On a recent visit to Lyme Park, I was presented with an interesting question at the pay gate. Three of us went to Lyme Park in a car. One of us is a student, one unemployed and myself in full time work. The cost to drive a car into Lyme Park is £5. To walk in, its free. The plan was for the driver to just drop us off but when arriving at the beautiful Lyme park, the driver had a sudden change of heart and wondered if she could pop in for a coffee. When we arrived it was getting late, so we asked if there was any discount for unemployed or students. The answer was pretty blunt. No.
Out of interest we asked if there was ever any discounts. The answer was the same, followed by “We dont even give discount for disabled people”. To which someone in my party said “Shame on the national trust”. This interaction interested me. Should it be really be cheaper for people with a disability? My initial thought was definitely not. Why would someone with a disability want a discount to get into Lyme park? Surely most disabilities still mean that the person can enjoy the beauty of Lyme Park. And lets not forget, dont ‘they’ want to be treated the same? Why make them different by offering a discount to Lyme Park.
If someone with a disability should be given a discount for the reason perhaps they cant work, then so should a student or someone who cant find a job in this recession. What are your thoughts?