Mobility component activity 1 descriptor D (10 points)
Cannot follow the route of an unfamiliar journey without:
- another person,
- assistance dog or
- orientation aid
The descriptor refers to an unfamiliar journey rather than any unfamiliar journey.
Who it applies to
An individual can satisfy the descriptor by showing that they typically need to fulfil one or more of the following:
- be accompanied by another person
- be accompanied by an assistance dog
- use an orientation aid
It is not necessary to show that they need such support for every possible unfamiliar journey on most days.
An individual with needs relating to their condition or disability may be unable to complete one or more of the following steps:
- work out where to go
- follow directions
- follow a journey safely
- deal with minor unexpected changes in their journey when it is unfamiliar
An individual who’s likely to experience overwhelming psychological distress (OPD) when on an unfamiliar journey and who needs to be accompanied to overcome their overwhelming psychological distress (OPD) may satisfy mobility component activity 1 descriptor D.
See paragraph 20 for explanation of overwhelming psychological distress.
You should consider that an individual will satisfy this descriptor if:
- they’re able to follow the route of a familiar journey but
- are not able to follow an unfamiliar journey on their own
The route is already planned
In this descriptor the route has already been planned.
Any significant diversions from that route are irrelevant – it is no longer the planned route.
Diversions
Minor diversions are part of being able to follow the route of a journey.
This could be in situations such as:
- making one’s way around road works,
- a change of train platform,
- road closure or
- train cancellation
An individual will satisfy this descriptor if:
- they are independent in making journeys but
- would not be able to make any changes if the journey changed unexpectedly
Example: an individual with generalised anxiety disorder who satisfies mobility component activity 1 descriptor D
Jason has generalised anxiety disorder and is under the care of a community mental health nurse.
Supporting information
The nurse has written a letter in support of Jason’s application for ADP which explains that Jason’s anxiety symptoms are significant if he’s going somewhere that he does not know, especially if he has to use public transport.
Application form In his application, Jason explains that he’s able to go to his local shop, his GP surgery and the chip shop because he has made those journeys a number of times and feels safe making them himself.
He notes that going somewhere new causes him to panic.
He reports that his mental health worker accompanies and assists him with calming techniques.
With the presence of his mental health worker and the calming techniques he is able to use the bus to get into the town centre but without them, he would experience symptoms of a panic attack.
Because Jason has symptoms indicating overwhelming distress (OPD) when making an unfamiliar journey, he needs someone with him to manage these symptoms.
Case manager’s decision
The case manager determines that Jason satisfies mobility component activity 1 descriptor D because he needs another person with him to make this unfamiliar journey.