Disabled parking, is it fair?

welbeck

parent+child spaces are just a courtesy offer, they are not generally enforceable. ie anyone can park in them.
disabled spaces are quite different.
you should not challenge anyone as to what their disability is; that is really out of order.
blue badges should be displayed in disabled spaces, of course.
but that is for the operator of the car park to enforce.
if you feel strongly about it, you should take it up with the operator, not challenge users.

👏🏻👏🏻

I got a Blue Badge eventually, after years of being nagged by my family to apply for one (including my husband pointing out people in car parks and saying "Look, she's got a badge and you're more disabled than she is!" ) I do appreciate it now that I have got it, as I have bad arthritis and walking is painful and very slow. We have only been challenged once, when I was out with my daughter and family. My son-in-law just said "We have a disabled person in the car" and the old man who questioned us backed off. I don't think he had noticed me in the back with the grandkids.

Normally nobody questions us because I am a white-haired old lady with a stick. However, I would never use a disabled toilet until I got old, even though I have a hidden disability (an ileostomy.) I was always afraid that someone would challenge me, because I was young and looked OK, and I would be embarrassed to explain to a stranger. I do think that you have to think twice before you demand to know the details of someone's disability.

RosiesMaw

^I was involved in a consultation as part of a disability charity a couple of years ago, and the subject was the issue of temporary badges for the circumstances you describe in your post. The proposal was dropped because it was considered that there were too few disabled spaces available to make it work^

Isn’t that typical?

How hard would it have been to paint in more Disabled spaces.
Job done!,

My bet is Computer says no !! Councils being what they are, there are probably numerous feasibility studies and consultations to be undertaken before they can even buy the paint !!

Callistemon21

I might try again for a temporary one because the waiting list for surgery is so long here.

Not sure of your age Callistemon21, but if you are below pension age you could try applying for Personal Independence Payment. If your condition has been present for three months and is expected to last at least twelve months you can apply. Eight points in the moving around category of the mobility component would automatically qualify you for a badge.

My LA offer temporary ones.

I was involved in a consultation as part of a disability charity a couple of years ago, and the subject was the issue of temporary badges for the circumstances you describe in your post. The proposal was dropped because it was considered that there were too few disabled spaces available to make it work

Isn’t that typical?

How hard would it have been to paint in more Disabled spaces.
Job done!,

I might try again for a temporary one because the waiting list for surgery is so long here.

Callistemon21

^My hospital could have confirmed my need for a badge for a limited time, just as your doctor could confirm your temporary need until you've had and recovered from corrective surgery.^

A letter from a GP or surgeon is not enough here.
The admin person wants access to all medical records and if you fail on just one of the 15 points on the questionnaire then the application is refused.

And that’s the problem isn’t it ? Different local authorities have different rules, so someone who might well qualify in one area, wouldn’t somewhere else. And since PIP was introduced it’s made it more difficult to get a badge based on eligibility for the benefit. For physical disability you only need 8 points standard PIP mobility allowance in the moving around category to be eligible for a blue badge, but for mental health/cognitive disabilities you need 10 points specifically from descriptor E for planning and following journeys. About time it was standardised to make it fairer for all.

4allweknow

Misuse of disabled parking spaces really annoys me. When DH became unable to walk I needed a wheelchair for him. He was too ill to go out other than to medical appointments. The Blue Badge system in my area decrees that the driver, if not the disabled badge holder should "drop off" the disabled passenger then move the vehicle from the disabled space. This I did. The worst place was at the hospital DH had to attend. Sure most will have the same experience with finding a parking space at any hospital just not enough. I'd wheel husband into the department for appointment, go out and mive car to normal parking space and then walk back to joing DH for his appointment. When finished I wheel him to nearest point at hospital doir, go offcand collect car, drive to hopefully find a disabled space empty to alliw me to transfer husband to car. Absolute nightmare. I regularly saw vehicles parked in disabled bays when I arrived and still there when leaving sometimes a couple of hours later. At shops constantly see drivers sitting in cars in disabled bays, no passenger. They should not be there, as supposed to drop off and go back to collect if the person in store is the disabled badge holder. The system is abused day in day out.

Our local hospital serves quite a large catchment area and has one disabled car park containing twenty spaces. Whilst waiting for a space to free up during visiting hours, you regularly see people running to and from cars parked there, to throw bags in the boot and then run back in. I suspect they are visiting the badge holder in hospital and using the badge for their own convenience. I don’t agree that you should have to drop off the disabled person at the shops and then leave the bay though. You can’t guarantee that there will be one available when you return, and doing this is not breaking the BB rules. What isn’t acceptable is for people to park in a disabled bay if the badge holder isn’t the one getting out of the car.

My hospital could have confirmed my need for a badge for a limited time, just as your doctor could confirm your temporary need until you've had and recovered from corrective surgery.

A letter from a GP or surgeon is not enough here.
The admin person wants access to all medical records and if you fail on just one of the 15 points on the questionnaire then the application is refused.

Callistemon21

^This thread is really bringing out the worst in some people isn’t it?^
It really is!
How my original post could be so misinterpreted is a mystery.

1) I.^s the Blue badge system fair?^
Probably ( personally I think it would be good if a temporary blue badge could be issued eg after surgery, but that’s just my idea)
The problem is that it is not a universal scheme and is administered by local Councils who seem to operate different rules. For instance, in Bristol it is apparently easier to get a Blue Badge than in neighbouring Welsh counties. It costs £10 in Bristol but is free in Wales.

A temporary badge would be wonderful for someone who is awaiting surgery and can barely walk. However, in Wales that is nigh on impossible. Unless I can park in an ordinary space right outside somewhere I just don't go out now. My life has become much more limited as a result.

I was involved in a consultation as part of a disability charity a couple of years ago, and the subject was the issue of temporary badges for the circumstances you describe in your post. The proposal was dropped because it was considered that there were too few disabled spaces available to make it work, and that it would put people with more serious permanent conditions at a disadvantage. If I remember rightly there was a plan to revisit the proposal after consultation with local authorities with a view to providing more disabled spaces and their views on how such a system would work.

I believe badges are issued for temporary conditions now, but they are subject to the same high thresholds as for permanent conditions and the onus is on users to be honest and hand them back if their condition is resolved before the badge expires.

It seems a very good idea.

A temporary badge would be wonderful for someone who is awaiting surgery and can barely walk. I agree, and also temporary badges in other circumstances too. When I was having aggressive treatment for my last cancer I suffered dreadful weakness for some months, such that I had to climb the stairs in my own house on hands and knees. A temporary blue badge would have allowed me to get to hospital appointments without feeling exhausted just by the walk from the car park to the treatment area. I might even have been able to visit a shop or cafe for a change of the four walls I felt imprisoned in. My hospital could have confirmed my need for a badge for a limited time, just as your doctor could confirm your temporary need until you've had and recovered from corrective surgery.

Misuse of disabled parking spaces really annoys me. When DH became unable to walk I needed a wheelchair for him. He was too ill to go out other than to medical appointments. The Blue Badge system in my area decrees that the driver, if not the disabled badge holder should "drop off" the disabled passenger then move the vehicle from the disabled space. This I did. The worst place was at the hospital DH had to attend. Sure most will have the same experience with finding a parking space at any hospital just not enough. I'd wheel husband into the department for appointment, go out and mive car to normal parking space and then walk back to joing DH for his appointment. When finished I wheel him to nearest point at hospital doir, go offcand collect car, drive to hopefully find a disabled space empty to alliw me to transfer husband to car. Absolute nightmare. I regularly saw vehicles parked in disabled bays when I arrived and still there when leaving sometimes a couple of hours later. At shops constantly see drivers sitting in cars in disabled bays, no passenger. They should not be there, as supposed to drop off and go back to collect if the person in store is the disabled badge holder. The system is abused day in day out.

i saw a video on you tube a few years ago of a woman ranting at two guys parked in a disabled bay in an american parking lot, she cursed and shouted at them calling them lazy and selfish as she always parked in that spot when she came there, they stayed calm and when they got out, one had a metal leg and the other had a small wheelchair he pulled from the back seat, all they said was army vets, she huffed and said well anyway, oh and thank you for your service, the look on her face was priceless, i would never use a disabled bay unless i really needed it but plenty of people do just because it is nearer the place they are going.

Callistemon21

Pammie1

montymops

Our local Tesco has excellent blue badge spaces. I have a blue badge and it is so useful. However, it states that it should be displayed each time you park - no good saying you’ve left it behind. You really shouldn’t occupy a disabled space if you don’t display the badge.

The rules state that the badge shouldn’t be displayed when not needed, and shouldn’t be left in the car overnight, so I carry mine in my handbag. Sometimes I’v been challenged as I’ve pulled into a disabled space before I’ve retrieved the badge, but I agree, if you don’t display the badge you shouldn’t park there, and should expect to be fined if you do. There was a post upthread somewhere in which the poster said her DD drove off in the car displaying her DH’s badge. Not sure if people realise that it’s an offence to display the badge without the disabled person present - the badge holder can be fined and the badge withdrawn for misuse.

The rules state that the badge shouldn’t be displayed when not needed, and shouldn’t be left in the car overnight, so I carry mine in my handbag.
DH doesnt usually carry a handbag.

NO I didn't say my DD drove off displaying DH's badge, nor did she use it herself as you insinuated.

The badge was in its usual place in the glovebox and DD borrowed the car for a couple of days.
We went out in my car and realised we couldn't park in a disabled space as he didn't have his badge with him.

We all followed the rules.

I wasn’t insinuating anything - maybe misinterpreted, sorry. I thought it was worth pointing out as I used to work in disability benefits and have come across several instances where badge holders have been fined because another driver has inadvertently used the car with the badge still displayed.

This thread is really bringing out the worst in some people isn’t it?
It really is!
How my original post could be so misinterpreted is a mystery.

1) I.^s the Blue badge system fair?^
Probably ( personally I think it would be good if a temporary blue badge could be issued eg after surgery, but that’s just my idea)
The problem is that it is not a universal scheme and is administered by local Councils who seem to operate different rules. For instance, in Bristol it is apparently easier to get a Blue Badge than in neighbouring Welsh counties. It costs £10 in Bristol but is free in Wales.

A temporary badge would be wonderful for someone who is awaiting surgery and can barely walk. However, in Wales that is nigh on impossible. Unless I can park in an ordinary space right outside somewhere I just don't go out now. My life has become much more limited as a result.

I have a blue badge and I find it very frustrating and irritating when people park in a disabled parking space with no blue badge. I can't walk far so if there is nowhere nearby for me to park I have to leave. It is very selfish and thoughtless for people to park in these spaces when they are not entitled to.

This thread is really bringing out the worst in some people isn’t it?
To go back to the thread title Disabled parking is it fair ?
1) Is the Blue badge system fair?
Probably ( personally I think it would be good if a temporary blue badge could be issued eg after surgery, but that’s just my idea)
2) Is it easy peasy to get a Blue Badge on spurious grounds?
I doubt it. It took me 4 1/2 hours to complete the forms for DH who could barely walk across the room
3) Is the system abused?
Yes , nothing is proof against abuse by selfish unscrupulous people without 24/7 monitoring or Big Brother cameras.
4) is it anybody else’s business why a Blue Badge is used?
No
However I found the question a bit goady.
The implication being that it is unfair
If so then I would respectfully suggest it discriminates more against the disabled than in their favour.
Hospitals and doctors’ surgeries do not have nearly enough disabled spaces, given the demographic of people parking there.
In fact I noticed recently that I see more electric charging spaces these days than disabled ones- hmm.
Bottom line - do you resent the issuing of Blue Badges to people you deem “able” ? (For instance obese, ostensibly “their own fault”, or perhaps amputees because of smoking related illness?)
If you disagree with the criteria for the issue of Blue Badges what would you put in their place?
And the bottom line - which would you prefer-to be fit and able to walk across the car park and down the road or to have a relatively minor aid to a degree of independence in your impaired day to day life ?

Pammie1

montymops

Our local Tesco has excellent blue badge spaces. I have a blue badge and it is so useful. However, it states that it should be displayed each time you park - no good saying you’ve left it behind. You really shouldn’t occupy a disabled space if you don’t display the badge.

The rules state that the badge shouldn’t be displayed when not needed, and shouldn’t be left in the car overnight, so I carry mine in my handbag. Sometimes I’v been challenged as I’ve pulled into a disabled space before I’ve retrieved the badge, but I agree, if you don’t display the badge you shouldn’t park there, and should expect to be fined if you do. There was a post upthread somewhere in which the poster said her DD drove off in the car displaying her DH’s badge. Not sure if people realise that it’s an offence to display the badge without the disabled person present - the badge holder can be fined and the badge withdrawn for misuse.

The rules state that the badge shouldn’t be displayed when not needed, and shouldn’t be left in the car overnight, so I carry mine in my handbag.
DH doesnt usually carry a handbag.

NO I didn't say my DD drove off displaying DH's badge, nor did she use it herself as you insinuated.

The badge was in its usual place in the glovebox and DD borrowed the car for a couple of days.
We went out in my car and realised we couldn't park in a disabled space as he didn't have his badge with him.

We all followed the rules.

Any accomodation made for the disabled is meant to be available for them.

While walking up the ramp into a bulding rather than using the stairs is unlikely to disconvenience a wheelchair-user, parking in a disabled spaced if you are able to walk from any other parking space does.

There are indeed disablities that are not immediately noticeable and therefore I would hesitate to ask a total stranger whether he or she was entitled to a parking space reserved for the disabled, but I would certainly raise my eyebrows at a friend whom I knew not to have any disability who did so.

There are far too many fit and well people parking in disabled spaces, and they will go on doing so if no-one queries their behaviour.

Sonicbear01

When we now have people who have mental issues but are otherwise physically active, being given blue badges, it makes a mockery of the ability or otherwise to walk only a few yards. If they need a badge for mental issues, they shouldn't be driving. If they have heart issues, should they be allowed to take the wheel with the possibility of having a seizure at the wheel and endangering others?

What a horrible post! Children can be issued with blue badges and none of them drive. They are issued to people that need them whether as a driver or passenger. Anybody whose disability would render them a danger as a driver would not keep their licence.
A friend's husband rightly had a blue badge but would use it when he took her shopping or picked her up from work when he'd park on yellow lines, despite the fact he never got out of the car. That to me was an abuse of the system. She hadn't any impairment and just enjoyed being able to access their car in the most convenient place. My grandson has a blue badge, none of us ever use it unless he's not only in the car but will be getting out too!

montymops

Our local Tesco has excellent blue badge spaces. I have a blue badge and it is so useful. However, it states that it should be displayed each time you park - no good saying you’ve left it behind. You really shouldn’t occupy a disabled space if you don’t display the badge.

The rules state that the badge shouldn’t be displayed when not needed, and shouldn’t be left in the car overnight, so I carry mine in my handbag. Sometimes I’v been challenged as I’ve pulled into a disabled space before I’ve retrieved the badge, but I agree, if you don’t display the badge you shouldn’t park there, and should expect to be fined if you do. There was a post upthread somewhere in which the poster said her DD drove off in the car displaying her DH’s badge. Not sure if people realise that it’s an offence to display the badge without the disabled person present - the badge holder can be fined and the badge withdrawn for misuse.

MissInterpreted

Pammie1

fancythat

If a non disabled person takes up a space that a disabled person needs, I think that is the business of the general public, personally.

The problem with that is that there are a lot of hidden disabilities. If someone is displaying a valid blue badge, it’s no-one else’s business why they have one.

Yes, totally agree with this. My friend's daughter has a blue badge - to look at her, you'd never know there was anything wrong with her, but she has several disabilities including being registered as legally blind. My friend has had run-ins with several people querying her use of a blue badge. So many judgemental people around.

I honestly think some people are just nosy. I pulled into a disabled space at our local supermarket not so long ago and while I was retrieving the badge from my handbag, a very bad tempered lady banged on the window demanding to know why I was parked there. I showed her the badge and she demanded to know what my disability was - trotted out the old chestnut ‘you don’t look very disabled’ - which I don’t behind the wheel. I told her it was none of her business and that all she needed to know was that the badge was valid and belonged to me. She stood and harangued me until she saw the wheelchair being lowered from the top box on the roof of the car, and made a quick, red faced exit afterwards !!

I’ve queried people’s use of disabled spaces several times in the absence of a badge, but if one is being displayed, in my opinion, it’s totally unacceptable to challenge the reason - that’s between the badge holder and the issuing authority. There are so many hidden disabilities these days that it’s easy to cause offence or distress.

The post was ignorant and bigoted in the extreme. As someone with controlled epilepsy who is allowed to drive, I was none too happy to read it. I don’t think the poster knows what a seizure is.