Extending Blue Badge Scheme to invpclude Hidden Disabilities

[elanfan]

Just watching the news where they are talking about extending the Blue Badge Scheme to allow people with hidden disabilities to qualify for a badge. They are talking about including people with autism or dementia.

Admittedly I haven't fully thought this through as its only just been on but my knee jerk reaction is that it is ridiculous. Disabled spaces are already at a premium and should be restricted to those that have an actual MOBILITY issue. As far as I'm aware someone that is autistic or has dementia can normally walk (and if they can't they can apply for a badge based on their lack of mobility and therefore qualify on other grounds for a badge).

As a badge holder myself I'm all too well aware of people using disabled spaces with on the face of it nothing wrong with them. Obviously I can't tell whether these folk are in chronic pain or have other problems but when they seem to have no MOBILITY issues the way they walk without any issue it makes you wonder why they can't park a few dozen feet further away and leave the space. For those that actually need it.

There is apparently a consultancy going to happen - wonder how to be able to contribute to that?

Edit: a bit of googling later - you can send your comments here. [e-mail]

Edited by elanfan on Sunday 21st January 13:35

[Viperzs]

It's wise to remember that blue badge parking isn't limited to the supermarket car park and the proximity to the stores. There may be other benefits to these people such as double yellow line parking allowance or the use of the extra space of a disabled bay. Someone with extreme autism (using one of your examples) may be a big struggle for their family/carer in public, therefore the extra space of a disabled bay would make getting them out of the car and ready for the shop a lot easier.

I see it as a good and fair thing for them to consider, as long as it is policed well by those who decide is a badge should be granted to ensure it is not taken advantage of.

[The Vambo]

If it covers dyslexia, the OP will be laughing

[elanfan]

The Vambo said:

If it covers dyslexia, the OP will be laughing

I did notice the typo but it won't let me correct it.

[elanfan]

Viperzs said:

It's wise to remember that blue badge parking isn't limited to the supermarket car park and the proximity to the stores. There may be other benefits to these people such as double yellow line parking allowance or the use of the extra space of a disabled bay. Someone with extreme autism (using one of your examples) may be a big struggle for their family/carer in public, therefore the extra space of a disabled bay would make getting them out of the car and ready for the shop a lot easier.
.

My point though is that most of these people are actually mobile, doubtless they and their families have difficultiesthat perhaps I/we don't fully appreciate but in many cases they can walk from a parking space 100 yards away and don't NEED to park on double yellows. If this goes ahead there will be many folk who cannot actually get to where they need to go because they are physically immobile because 'their' space has been taken by someone who is perfectly able to walk but maybe has some form of communication issue.

[page3]

It would have been useful a few years back when our (autistic) son was younger. Wouldn't be needed now.

1. He had little (or no) understanding of danger so having a space available without having to take him across a car park would have been much safer. We had reigns for him, but the amount of insults we got from random members of the public wasn't pleasant.

2. He would get too much sensory input before we made it to our destination, often meaning the trip would be a waste as we'd have to turn around and go home. Especially disappointing if we were taking him to see a film, or museum etc. These days he has noise cancelling headphones, but not really a good idea in a crowded car park.

Good idea imho, within reason.