Over 1,200 people have signed Charity Mencup’s petition calling on the Welsh government to ensure persons with learning disabilities can pay with cash.
This follows an experience by one of the residents with a learning disability who was unable to treat his mum to dinner at a card-only restaurant.
A story covered by a BBC journalist says Siôn, 37, from Amlwch, Anglesey, was “devastated and felt discriminated.
“It’s going to penalize a lot of people with learning disabilities,” said his mum Janet.
“He was upset for days… it was a big thing for him,” she added.
“I can understand security-wise it’s probably easier for the businesses – I can see the pros for them.
“But for people like Siôn and all his friends, and people in supported living, it’s a massive block,” the mum narrated to BBC.
Charity Mencap Cymru, a campaigner said the situation had deteriorated since many businesses turned cashless during the pandemic.
Many people with learning disabilities rely on cash because they do not have access to a debit card, or because someone else controls their money.
The government said cash was still important for many businesses and that it was working hard to make sure people can continue to use it.
Janet manages Siôn’s money due to his learning disability and said he can manage his own spending well when using paper money.
“But if it’s a card, it’s harder to keep track of what you’re spending,” she said.
SOURCE: BBC NEWS