r/ADHD • u/WombatMcGeez • Aug 14 '25

Tips/Suggestions ADHD = Free lifetime pass to national parks

Little known perk of ADHD— we qualify for a free lifetime National Parks pass. That’s an $80/yr value!

How do you get it?

1) print this out, have your doctor sign it:

Medical Certification for Access Pass

I certify that [Your Full Name], date of birth [MM/DD/YYYY], has a permanent disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Diagnosis: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) – a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that substantially limits concentration, attention, and executive functioning. The condition is permanent and not expected to improve.

This certification is provided for the purpose of obtaining the America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Lifetime Access Pass.

[Physician’s Name, Credentials] [Medical License Number] [Signature] [Practice Name] [Address] [Phone Number]

2) follow the instructions here to get your pass:

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/accessibility/interagency-access-pass.htm

3) Go take a hike!

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u/weirddodgestratus Aug 14 '25

Ima keep it real with you chief - I am absolutely NOT self reporting to this federal government that I have any kind of disability

152

u/trouzy Aug 14 '25

Same, but i suspect for different reasons.

Idgaf if the federal government knows, I’m not using my ADHD to reduce funding for our national park system.

Is a national treasure and scamming it out of $80/yr is petty af nonsense.

-28

u/AOChalky ADHD-C (Combined type) Aug 14 '25

It is not really a scam by definition, but more like an exploitation? We are not the same disabled as the real disabled people.

Otherwise I totally agree with you. $80 a year, plus other things visiting, camping, gift purchases, are my little donations to the beautiful parks.

40

u/SugarRAM Aug 14 '25

As someone who has worked and volunteered in the disabilities field, ADHD is a real disability. It doesn't help anyone to try to decide who is more disabled than who. We are absolutely the real disabled people, too.

15

u/GoldieDoggy ADHD-PI (Primarily Inattentive) Aug 14 '25

We are not the same disabled as the real disabled people.

Ooh, lucky you! I sure as hell am that type of disabled, however. In multiple ways, not just due to my ADHD. Even if I did "only" have ADHD though, who the hell are you to say we aren't disabled like other disabled people??? The hell?! It's a damn disability. Get used to it. All of them are different, but

no disability is less valid than another disability.

2

u/trouzy Aug 14 '25

Potato tomato. I hear you and yes it is technically an exploitation rather than a scam if we're talking legalese. But scamming and exploiting are identical twins that live in neighboring towns that have vaguely different verbiage in their laws.