Interview with Our Director: Why We Created the National Disability & Carers Card

Behind every great idea is a personal story. We sat down with our Director, Edward Herbert, to talk about his experience as a carer, why the National Disability & Carers Card Scheme was created, and how it continues to support hundreds of thousands of disabled people and carers across the UK.

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Please note the content of the podcast has been abridged and paraphrased for readability. You can watch or listen to the full podcast below.

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Q: What inspired you to create the National Disability & Carers Card Scheme?

Before founding the scheme, I was a carer for my sister, Millie, who has cystic fibrosis. Caring became a huge part of my everyday life, balancing work while supporting her at appointments, hospital visits and daily activities.

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Over the years, we kept finding ourselves in situations where it would have been incredibly helpful to have something official that showed I was her carer, or that Millie was disabled. That experience became the foundation for creating the scheme.

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Q: What is the main purpose of the card?

The card was designed with three key aims:

• To provide recognised proof of disability or caring responsibilities.
• To make accessing support and concessions easier.
• To help reduce some of the extra financial pressures through discounts and offers.

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For many people, it's simply about having something official to show when support is needed.

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Q: Can you share a real-life example where the card made a difference?

One experience that stands out happened while my sister was in hospital.

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She was only able to eat a particular soup from a nearby café, so I went out to collect it. By the time I returned, visiting hours had just ended and security wouldn't let me back in to deliver it.

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When I showed my National Carers Card and explained I was there in a caring role, everything changed. The security guard immediately understood I wasn't just visiting - I was providing essential support. I was able to deliver the food and leave.

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It's these everyday moments where having something official can make all the difference.

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Q: Is the card only useful for accessing discounts?

Not at all. Many people think of discounts first, but often the greatest benefit is simply helping others understand your situation.

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Whether it's using an accessible toilet, requesting assistance at an airport, speaking to hospital staff, or explaining why a carer needs to accompany someone, the card helps communicate your needs quickly and confidently.

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Q: How does the scheme ensure the card is trusted?

Every National Disability Card application is assessed against the Equality Act 2010, meaning applicants must meet recognised eligibility criteria. This helps ensure the card remains credible and gives organisations confidence when offering support or concessions.

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Q: Why was it important for the card to have professional security features?

When you're presenting a card at major attractions, transport providers or venues, it needs to be trusted.

That's why the card includes multiple security features and is professionally produced in-house rather than using generic card printers. It's designed to be secure, recognisable and taken seriously whenever support is requested.

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Q: Why is recognising carers so important?

Carers are often overlooked. People may not realise why someone is accompanying a disabled person, waiting outside an accessible toilet, or returning to a disabled parking bay to collect medication.

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The National Carers Card helps explain that role without the need for lengthy conversations, giving carers confidence and helping others understand why they're there.

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Q: How has the scheme grown?

One of the most rewarding parts has been hearing from card holders across the country. Thousands of people have shared stories about how the card has helped them in everyday life, while many have also suggested improvements that have helped shape the scheme as it continues to grow. This is your scheme, so we love to hear from you about what we can do to make your card even more valuable.

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Q: What's next for the scheme?

The team is continually developing new features, including improvements to card technology and a new app designed to help card holders discover nearby discounts and benefits more easily.

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The aim remains the same - to become the national standard for disability and carers' identification across the UK.

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Q: What would you say to someone who's unsure about applying?

Don't let concerns about paperwork stop you! Our team is here to help guide you through the application process, explain what evidence is needed, and answer any questions you have along the way. We want applying to be as straightforward and supportive as possible.

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💙 Learn more and apply for the National Disability Card: disabilityid.co.uk

❤️ Apply for the National Carers Card: nationalcarerscard.org.uk