Mobility component activity 1 descriptor F (12 points)
Cannot follow the route of a familiar journey without:
- another person,
- an assistance dog or
- an orientation aid
Meaning of a familiar journey
A familiar journey describes any journey that an individual undertakes on a known route that does not need to be planned because it is already familiar.
Minor changes to the route that an individual would have to deal with can occur on a familiar journey, such as making one’s way around road works or a change of train platform.
The descriptor refers to a familiar journey rather than any familiar 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 familiar 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 even when it is familiar
If they’re likely to experience overwhelming psychological distress (OPD)
An individual who is likely to experience overwhelming psychological distress (OPD) when on a familiar journey and who needs to be accompanied to overcome their overwhelming psychological distress (OPD) will satisfy mobility component activity 1 descriptor F.
See paragraph 20 for explanation of overwhelming psychological distress (OPD).
If they’re suicidal or at substantial risk of exhibiting violent behaviour
An individual who is actively suicidal or who is at substantial risk of exhibiting violent behaviour and who needs to be accompanied by another person to prevent them harming themselves or others when undertaking a journey would meet this descriptor.
You should seek supporting evidence of suicidal thoughts and/or behaviour.
In cases of violent behaviour there must be evidence that:
- the individual is unable to control their behaviour and that
- being accompanied by another person, who can intervene if necessary, reduces a substantial risk of the person committing a violent act
Example: an individual who is blind who satisfies mobility component activity 1 descriptor F
Morag was born with congenital blindness and has never experienced any sight.
She has many strategies for managing her daily activities. She completed her application for ADP using text-to-speech functionality on her computer.
Application form
In her application she explains that:
- she has an assistance dog to help her when she is outside of her home
- the assistance dog helps her to avoid hazards when she’s walking and makes sure she stops at the edge of the pavement before crossing a road
Because Morag is blind, she cannot see risks when she’s making a journey.
Case manager’s decision
The case manager determines that Morag satisfies mobility component activity 1 descriptor F because she has the ability to plan the route of a journey, but when on the route she cannot see dangers and needs the assistance dog to ensure that she completes any journey in a safe and acceptable manner.
Example: an individual who has epilepsy who satisfies mobility component activity 1 descriptor F
Lucy has epilepsy, and experiences tonic clonic seizures. Her seizures:
- are well controlled by medication, and
- occur around once every 6 months
In her application she explains that she:
- falls down during a seizure, and
- gets no warning signs when she is about to have one
Therefore, her seizures are unpredictable.
As a result when Lucy is outside on her own there is a risk she could fall and be injured. Because Lucy does not experience warning signs that she is about to have a seizure, it is not possible for her to ensure she is in a position of safety beforehand.
Case manager’s decision
The case manager determines that Lucy satisfies mobility component activity 1, descriptor F because she has the ability to plan the route of a journey, but when on the route she may have a seizure. And this could be dangerous.
Lucy would need to be accompanied by another person, to ensure that she completes any journey in a safe and acceptable manner.