It seems that since they decided to give Blue Badge’s to people with invisible disabilities there are now two classes of people with them.
There are those of us with walking disabilities and everyone else.
Maybe there should be two classes of badge, one for us, that can be clearly identified, and one for them.
I am really tired of parking in funny places because the Disabled bay(s) is/are full, and for someone, apparently able bodied stroll up to that car and drive away. Sometimes it can be difficult having to drive around just to find somewhere safe to park.
Now that they are restricting some roads to create wider passing places and bike lanes, it’s getting harder to find somewhere. If they suddenly decide that some roads are going to be pedestrian only, that just makes things worse.
Do you think they (whoever they are) have considered the plight of the genuine Disabled?
I`ve just written a letter to my local MP to raise the need for more Disabled Bays in all supermarkets and also on the high street. Only sent it today but will be interesting to see the outcome. I would urge as many people as possible write to their local MP to raise awareness of this issue.
Although I agree with a 2 tier system but I cannot see that ever happening.
I tend to agree that there should be a better blue badge system for those with an obvious disability to those with a "hidden’ disability.
Having said that, how can it be policed ?
For instance, someone with MS might show obvious mobility issues instantly, yet someone with heart issues who cannot walk far at all may not instantly show obvious signs of a disability.
Would it be fair to make someone with heart disease park further away simply because he/she is not openly showing their disability ?
And for instance, I know a family who have a 14 year old autistic child, there are no physical issues what so ever with the child, yet they have a blue badge .
The blue badge symbol, all over the world clear shows a person in a wheel chair, therefor it was initially brought out for those with mobility issue, these days though it is not a requirement to have an actual physical disability to obtain a badge, whether that is right or wrong is a very grey area.
I do agree that the whole of the blue badge scheme needs looking at, as the current scheme is so open for abuse its laughable.
If you’re able bodied you don’t require a Blue Badge. People and children with hidden disabilities can mostly walk although might need supervision no more so than any other child. They seem to manage. There aren’t enough parking bays for everyone and on a daily basis it is becoming worse
We have light blue badges for our mobility issues and I think there should be light green ones for people with hidden disabilities. The Blue badge should always take precedence over the green ones.
This wouldn’t solve all the issues but it would be a start.
I really think that we (as a whole world/people) have to be really careful about messing too much with the system. I appreciate what you are saying with your post, I really do. In a lot of what you said I actually agree with the premise of what you are saying.
However, here is my issue with it: Alot of the people with the 'Invisible Illnesses/Disabililties do suffer from ‘Mobility Issues’ to. Albeit, they might be problems that are not always hapening all the time but can happen at any ‘given time’ and wthout warning etc…
So therfore, these people still would need a ‘Blue Badge’ for their own ‘safety and convenience’.
So maybe your suggestion of having more Bays would be the better option out of the ideas…
The system was always abused so the government made is easy to abuse by introducing another tier. It was introduced to level up hidden disabilities with obvious disabilities. The trouble is it’s gone too far and is abused.
I’ve got two conditions, MS and epilepsy. I’ve got my blue badge because of the MS. I wouldn’t even consider applying for a badge if I only had epilepsy because it doesn’t disable me in the sense I need safer or closer parking. I think the new rules are absurd.
Anyway, I’ve just looked up the eligibility criteria for a blue badge and people with hidden disabilities are not eligible, it still only lists walking and mobility so I’m confused.
The logo for a disabled only parking space is a person in a wheelchair, so that should be it. Full stop.
For the rest of the population, like those with two workable legs, who somehow manage to qualify for a blue badge there should be a separate bay [edited]
So what you are suggesting is that the blue badge scheme should only be for people confined to a wheel chair, and thats it ?
I have 2, what you describe as “workable legs”, they can hold me up straightish and allow me to shuffle to the end of the drive, maybe on a very good day holding onto my wife I could manage 15 mts but by then things are going downhill very fast, but I dont use a wheel chair full time, and thats my choice, maybe its the stubborn streak in me, anyway given my condition SPMS, and my actual mobility level, do you think, under your suggestion that I’m not eligible for my blue badge and should return it, or opt to use a wheel chair every time I leave the house to justify the blue badge ?
I think this is a good idea but again difficult to police.
Blue badge parking for obvious mobility problems & green badge parking for not so obvious.
There are illnesses that clearly effect mobility yet could be described as not openly obvious.
COPD and heart disease could be described as not immediately obvious.
Maybe disabilities/illnesses need to be categorised into 2 groups, but then it opens up the argument that not every person with, lets say heart disease suffers from the same level of mobility issues, and the same could be said for MS.
Stefos, if you truly believe in what you said in your original (un edited) post, why edit it ?
As for me having a stubborn attitude towards MS is helpful for my own well being, I guess it’s the “use it or lose it” mentality, hence pushing myself to my absolute limits and not having to use a wheel chair (yet).
So on that note, do you still believe, as your original post implied, that anyone with a disability who is not confined to a wheelchair should not be eligible for a blue badge, if so, dare I say that almost most of us on this site would not be entitled to their blue badge even though we clearly struggle with our mobility, but still try to keep going in our own stubborn way without the aid of a wheelchair !
It could even be argued that your original comment comes very close to suggesting that its only people who are confined to a wheelchair that are truly disabled and therefor it is only those that deserve the disabled parking bays !
I am still on my feet but have alot of pain & stiffness - I find the blue badge great, although I don’t use it all the time - I do have an issue with an individual that I know with MS who hands their badge out round the family & says that if they are going to the town & even bringing her home a packet of sweets, they are entitled to use it, I’m not so sure about that.
The badge is for your use and benefit only. It must only be displayed if you are travelling in the vehicle as a driver or passenger, or if someone is collecting you or dropping you off and needs to park at the place where you are being collected or dropped.
Don’t allow other people to use the badge to do something on your behalf, such as shopping or collecting something for you.
You must never give the badge to friends or family to allow them to park for free, even if they are visiting you.
You should not use the badge to allow non-disabled people to take advantage of the benefits while you sit in the car.
It’s a criminal offence to misuse a badge. This includes people other than the badge holder taking advantage of the parking concessions provided under the scheme.