Blue badges for disabled
 

just been watching watchdog and although something is being done to change the law , it got me thinking why now ? it should have been done long ago..they were on about blue badges for disabled children etc and apperantly the law as it is at the moment the system says if your under 2 yrs old then you are not entitled to a blue badge .

But on the other hand imo there are many out there (adults)etc that arent entitled to it either and many out there that seem to get it who dont really need it .

I think this system needs reviewing as a whole

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

You can't judge who is entitled to them just by looking at them.

I've only used mine once at the hospital carpark.

I may look the picture of health, buy yet again no one sees me when I can't get out of bed for over an hour, or can't walk from the backdoor the couple of yards to the bin.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I agree rindy but then i think that they should in most cases take a docs opinion more seriously (which i dont think they investigate enough to judge a claim ?) ie those children tonight IMHO really could have benefited from the scheme at least until they/their parents were in a position to manage without it , If anyone knows the depth of your illness then its got to be your gp/consultant

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I agree that a young disabled child's parent should be entitled to one.

I don't know about anyone else, but it was only with the help of Harwood Red, who physically filled in the mountainous forms for me because I can't physically write, and the intervention of my neurologist, saying that I did indeed have a diagnosed degenerative, incurrable illness that severley affected my mobility, that I got one....even though I look 'normal'.

Even before that I never judged anyone who I so parking in a disabled bay, who looked 'healthy'. They may have had two false legs for all I knew.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

The bloke next door to me looks ok but I think he must have heart problems, he also has eye problems he's always running into things, I think his car needs a prescription windscreen as well as a blue badge.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Sorry rind i will apologise because my last statement did look like i was judging in general but infact i am actually referring to (sorry small gripe) someone that i know getting it who dosent actully need it when there are many out there that do..and when i saw the program tonight it kind of infuriated me somewhat to see families that do genuinly need it and others that are just taking the p... out of the system .
what i am saying rindy is in a lot of cases not enough research is done into the individual and their medical cases for the authorities that be to decide a case and alot goes down to what is put on to a form rather than investigating actual needs ..

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

No need to appologise hun, I was just telling of my own experiences, and I agree it's totally wrong disabled children under two aren't entitled to one.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I was told when I had my accident that I should apply for one. As it is I didn't bother. I can't carry heavy things too far without my back giving me agony for a few days later but I've yet to come to a situation wherer I can't just drive the cara bit closer or use a trolley or something to get to the car.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Do you think it is because most children under 2 will still be in a pram or pushchair so are no different to any other under 2 year old?

I agree with blue badges for those who need them, I don't agree with were/how some badge holders park. Having a blue badge does not mean you can park dangerously or cause an obstruction like I often see.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Just out of curiosity as I didnt see this program is the hassle you have to go through even stevens country wide or like some other issues worse in some areas than others? If a person whether 2 or 92 needs an item to allow them to live a life as near to normal then it should be given. I personally believe that all the forms are there to put you of and proberly have done for some. All this red tape is infuriating and unless you have someone to help as Harwood Red did with G'ster then they are stuck and suffer a "down grading" of their life.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I saw the programme and think in both cases they should be issued with a badge, the problem being no badges for under 2's because thats the rules. Why cant all cases be dealt with individually regardless of age.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I forgot to mention earlier, as well as all the paper work, and letters from the specialist and my GP, I was examined by an independent doctor.

What I don't understand is the inconsistency regearding drivers classed as disabled.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

always wondered, but what is classed as disabled??
to get a card i mean.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

oops, shook and posted too early, lol!....continued....

When I was first diagnosed I had to inform the DVLA of my condition, and they sent me to Wrightington Hospital near Wigan for a disabled driving test, to make sure I was still safe to drive. The tests were much harder and longer than my original driving test. Happily they renewed my licence for three years. They could have took my licence off me, or jusr renewed it for a year. I know people with the same and other conditions who haven't been tested, and I think that is wrong.

My next test is in October, and I'm dreading it, as I know I've got worse than I was three years ago.:(

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I was going to suggest getting Chav to take the test for you instead, but on second thoughts you would have more chance passing on one of you bad shaky days :D

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Siobhan at 22 months insists on walking all the way round town now. In fact last Sat was her first attempts at terrorising the pidgeons on Broadway!

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Lol, just this minute been on the news that there are calls for Lady Heather Mills McCartney to hand in her blue parking badge, as she prepares to take part in the US version of Strictly Come Dancing.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

lol she wont have a leg to stand on :D

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

:eek: thats not funny chav1.............:yelrotflm :lol:

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

it is funny panther :) :) :) :)

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Just been taken to Tescos with my mum and dad. I felt so guilty having 2 pensioner parents at my side pushing my trolley, packing my bags and loading the car, taking the bags into my house and filling my cupboards.

Also asked the specialist when would i be able to drive again and he said he would review me again in 8 weeks.

So at 38, im medically unfit to drive ......... for now :p

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

That is a different issue to blue badges. I think there should be a distinction between disabled people who can't walk very far and disabled people in a wheelchair.

The disabled space on the Arndale car park are useless for wheelchair users.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Jimmi, I know just how you feel, When I broke my back I 'looked' normal but I couldn't even put my own clothes on for a few days and socks took nearly 3 weeks. Going shopping in ASDA my shoe lace came undone and Julie had to bend down and fasten it for me. I swear EVERYONE was looking at me, I felt like putting a sign round my neck saying "'Broken Back' can't bend down!"

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

You feel a right idiot dont you. I had to ask one employee at Tesco to pick out a bag of potatoes for me. He looked at me right funny, so i FELT OBLIGED to tell him id broke my back and ribs.

Now ive got this flu virus as well, so everytime i caugh and sneeze i feel like i am undoing weeks of healing ! I still have a massive heamatoma on my side and ive been told to be carefull and not to bang it.

My parents also had to park at the back of the carpark. Near the doors would have been a help, lol.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

what they need to clamp down on is peopel using their grannjys or mums blue badge for easy parking

if caught using a blue badge that isnt yours there should be points put on your licence and a fine

at the moment the poor sod who has the blue badge looses their badge if someone is caught using it impropperly which isnt realy fair because they cant help what their spouses do with it

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Ive seen it being done and reported it to SS, person is still doing it so i gather they wasnt bothered about it.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

if i was manager of a supermarket i would wheel clamp anyone misusing teh disabled spaces and give the money made to a worthy charity

C.P.M.F is a worthy cause chavs pocket money fund

any donations welcome - sory but i dont accept euros

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

That’s not funny. It’s simply pathetic!

I’m surprised that you find it funny grannyclaret.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

These are the criteria for being awarded a Blue Badge.
http://www.kingston.gov.uk/browse/community_people_and_living/disability/mobility/bluebadge/blue_badge_rules.htm
I’m having a problem getting my head around the paragraph in red. Having a severe disability in both upper limbs doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t walk.

I have to agree with Cherokee that the under 2 years old rule should be flexible for cases such as were discussed on Watchdog.

Can I point out garinda that a Blue Badge is awarded to the disabled person and not the parents, spouse, carer etc. and can only be used by one of them IF the disabled person is in the vehicle with them. Some people are of the opinion that if they are on an errand (like doing some shopping for them or paying a bill or collecting a pension) for the badge holder they can use the badge. They can’t unless the badge holder is with them and it is the badge holder who gets out of the car to do the shopping. The Blue Badge is issued to a person not a vehicle.

A Blue Badge holders parking restrictions are exactly the same as those for any other driver, except that a badge holder can also park on single or double yellow lines but keeping in mind the other restrictions. A badge holder can park free in public car parks and pay and display on road parking. Naturally both elements of the badge have to be displayed so that they can be clearly seen and read by an official.

Disabled parking bays in car parks are usually much wider than normal bays WillowTheWhisp to allow for wheel chair access, although there are exceptions. They are as wide as Mother and Toddler bays. Of course it doesn’t help when some selfish twerp doesn’t park properly.

By definition if a person is in a wheel chair it means they cannot walk or cannot walk unaided very far so how can there be a distinction between them Neil?

The responsibility of who uses a Blue Badge rests with the bona fide holder. That is why the holder as well as the misuser can be fined up to £1,000 and the badge confiscated. There will be cases when the holder is almost bullied into letting someone else use it but that can be argued in court.

As for Heather Mills she should return the badge. As an amputee with a prosthetic limb she can walk and now it seems dance the tango. Other amputees with prosthetic limbs can’t get a Blue Badge.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

well according to the programme at least leeway is being given to such children from i think they said sept so hopefully it will open a few doors for the ones that really need it..

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I have read all the information thank you Jambutty, and know when, and how, it is to be used.

I've only ever used mine once, and that was to park at Blackburn Royal, and was much appreciated, because it was a very bad day for me.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

If you have a blue badge garinda and you state that you do, then you should use it at every opportunity. It is rightfully yours to use.

I have no qualms about using mine even on my ‘good’ days, which are getting fewer and fewer.

I would add though that if I have the choice of parking in an on road pay and display area or on nearby yellow lines I choose the yellow lines so that some able bodied person can use the pay and display area.

There was something on the 5 o’clock Chris Evans show on Radio 2 yesterday about parking bays and the sizes thereof WillowTheWhisp. Fox the fox came back with definitive sizes with the previso that they varied slightly. I can’t remember what she said but I have found out at http://www.multi-storey-car-parks.com/car_parking_bays.htm A standard marked parking bay on a car park is about 3 metres wide by about 5.8 metres long, with disabled or mum and toddler bays an extra metre on each side.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Oh, dear. I found it funny has well. so your your not on your own Granny.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I would if I drove anywhere exciting. I only drive to my Mum's and park in the drive, occasionally to Accy, which has free parking, and to the hospital, where I have used it, and will use it again next week.:)

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

It is funny.

She'd probably find it funny.

If we can't laugh at ourselves the world's a sadder place than it used to be. Folk have always used humour to diffuse a difficult or awkward situation.

Don't worry Jambutty's probably just signed up to the Politically Correct Brigade. He'll be telling someone off next for calling me a fairy next.:D

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I have read this thread with interest, as I have been refused attendance allowance three times never mind mobility allowance that the Blue Badge goes with, to get mobility you have to get it for three years to qualify for a car, the other allowance is called motability allowance that the badge goes with, this is first given for one year and has to be applied for again. Attendance allowance is for someone to see to your basic needs ie; cooking a meal etc. The only way a cancer patient can get any of these benefits is if your consultant says you have only six momths to live. So you lucky beggars that have got it any other way "good luck to you".

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Then you are an idiot. Yellow lines are there for a reason, usually to stop parked cars causing an obstruction. Parking on them with a blue badge should be an exception for you not the norm.

Not in the Arndale they are not, or Ossy Co-Op either. They are the same size as the normal bays at the side of them, that is why I said there should be a distinction for wheel chair users, so they can park in wider bays.

It annoys me when I see a blue badge holder park in the disabled spaces on the Arndale car park then walk round town shopping. Those bays should be wider for wheel chair users only. If you can walk round Accy shopping you can walk from a normal space to the lift, it is only 30 yards from most spaces on their to the lift. If you can't walk that far what's the point of parking on the Arndale car park in the first place?

Maybe she too has bad days when she can't wear it and needs to use a crutch.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Quote:

“She’d probably find it funny”.

How do you know? You don’t! You are just making an assumption to try and excuse your crass comment.

Quote:

If we can't laugh at ourselves the world's a sadder place than it used to be. Folk have always used humour to diffuse a difficult or awkward situation.

There is nothing wrong about laughing at yourself garinda but you are not. You are taking the micky out of someone else’s disability.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I have to agree with jambutty, chav :rolleyes:












........ your second one was much funnier!! ....... :w00t:

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Yes neil i'll bet there are days when Heathers stump or whrever it fits gets sore, she will probably need it more after dancing, I agree she should keep it, all I have to add to this subject is if anyone 'Right' get's a mobility allowance and blue badge they should give them an Oscar as well.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I think that you are misinformed about Mobility Allowance and the Blue Badge.

The criterion for getting a Blue Badge or Mobility Allowance is based on the ability to walk a short distance without pain or you have to be accompanied by someone else because you are blind or just physically being unable to walk at all. And the condition has to be, for all intents and purposes, permanent. Thus someone with two broken legs in plaster would not qualify because hopefully they would recover in time and be able to walk again.

The rules for getting the Mobility Allowance were a bit stricter than for getting a Blue Badge, which is why if you qualify for the Mobility Allowance the issue of a Blue Badge is a forgone conclusion.

There are two rates of Mobility Allowance but unless the rules have changed once granted you do not need to apply again. Although you may be called in for a re-assessment. If you qualify for the lower rate you can still get a Blue Badge on the strength of it.

If you qualify for the higher rate you can opt to use all or part of the 4 weekly allowance to lease a new car from quite a large selection or you can pay some money out of your own pocket to lease a car that costs more than the allowance. Some of the larger and flashier cars require a cash deposit from £50 upwards. The lease term lasts for three years where after you return the old one and get a brand new one of your choice.

There is an annual mileage limit of 20,000 miles, I think. If you exceed that limit you pay a mileage charge of 5p per mile, I think. The vehicle comes taxed and insured with, in my case a £75 excess on any claim. There is no limit to how many claims you can make. The car is serviced annually for free and you can have up to 4 new tyres in three years. Kwik Fit will repair any punctures for free. You also have automatic membership with the RAC. Before the lease expires you have to pay for the MOT that a three years old car requires, although some dealers may not ask you to. Lookers where I get my car from does. Skinflints!

My 1.8 Vauxhall Astra automatic with ABS, electric front windows, passenger and driver air bags and radio CD player, internal central locking uses all of my higher rate of Mobility Allowance.

The Attendance Allowance comes in three flavours, low, medium and high and is granted to those people who cannot look after themselves to some degree.

The system is not perfect and I have heard of cases where the applicant would appear to have a good case to receive both allowances but haven’t been able to get any. There is still an element of ‘luck of the draw’ about it.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Get your facts right oh little ray of sunshine.

I didn't make the joke, or even said I found it funny. I just defended Granny Claret's right to find it amusing, after you'd told her off.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Even in normal parking spaces some people cant park inbetween the lines, ok never past my test but least i could do that & im a girlie too :D

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

You can tell what sort of driver has parked badly. If it's been reversed in to the space it's a bloke :rolleyes:

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

True it has to be them as girlies dont do reverse parking heheheheheehe:eek: :D

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I am not misinformed about the system jambutty maybe I dont just set the facts out in black and white, my gripe is not with mobility I don't need it, I need extra money to live with my illness Cancer more bad days than good, extra heating a bit more quality to life. If I go out I have to make sure I can get there in quick time as I may need a toilet, I could bore you all night, the problem with what I need is it's on the same forms and under the same rules as you blue badge holders, and I repeat I do not want a blue badge.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

More than likely the reason for that is:

Disability living allowance and Attendance allowance are not means tested so literally you could be a disabled millionaire and entitled to it.

Incapacity benefit however is means tested. So the likelihood is the person you knew had too much income to be entitled to incapacity benefit but met the criteria for DLA

Right can I take my benefits head off now?? :rolleyes:

Oh and jambutty, when you quote someone please will you leave their name on it so we have an idea who you are responding to?? (see post 42) ta

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Or you can't explain your irresponsible parking on yellow lines when their are other spaces available.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

If I remember correctly jambutty you also corrected me on the latitude of Prince Edward Island, and you were a world away, but you did not apologise for that gaffe either , your problem is jambutty you think you are always right and none of us are always spot on, so lighten up a bit and give others credit for 'knowing' a little to. The thread in question was about global warming, I have no wish to fall out with you as your contributions to the site are more often more good than bad but don't spit your dummy out when your wrong.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Just a question to others who have a blue parking badge, like Jambutty.

If your condition qualifies you to have the necessary benefits to apply for a blue parking badge, were you also sent by the DVLA for a disabled driving test, to make sure your condition that qualifies you, doesn't also affect your ability to drive safely?

It's a serious question, as there does seem to be some discrepencies at work here.

Or am I being singled out for special attention?:D

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I’ve had mine for about 10 years now so I can only say what happened then.

I was not asked to do a disabled driving test.

I think that it depends on the disability whether you have to do that test or not.

A person with no or unusable arms can have a car adapted so that everything is foot controlled but I’m sure that the DVLA would need to know that the person is competent with them. Similarly for someone whose legs don’t function in the normal manner or is a double lower limb amputee. All controls can be put on the steering wheel.

How things are these days I have no idea. When my Blue Badge expires and because I get the higher rate of DLA I just get issued with a new one.

Not much help was I?

Sorry!

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

This is my last and final post on this subject, a great many people got this allowance before the rest of us 'cottoned' on to it, I would love to see some of you take the medical again. My late father got it and he was the best con man in Accrington, he took the test at Brun House Burnley he was supported by my brother (physicaly) and two walking sticks, he did sumersaults for weeks after so stop the old soldier crap jambutty,:D

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Now this is one thing that I don't understand. I completely understand how people with disability can park in special spots in car parks that are nearer the shops/buildings etc, yellow lines etc but why do they get to park free?

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

What’s got into you Ianto.W.?

You had a dig at me in a previous post on something totally off topic and now this.

I was only quoting the rules as they stand Gayle. However your point mystifies me also. Maybe it to encourage Blue Badge holders to use a car park if there is one close enough instead of the highway. I mean would you pay to go on a car park if you could park for free on the road?

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I've read this topic with interest.

I have a blue badge for my son, and my mother also has one (she doesn't drive so my sister and myself take her everywhere).

Now where we park is different at to who we have in the car with us, my mum can't walk very far so the closer we are to where we are the better, plus we have to have the car door wide open for her to get out of the car.

With my son, we also need to park close by, but don't need the car door to be open as wide, so could also park in a normal spot so to speak.

It all depends on the disability, and the sensibility of the people involved.

Some disabilitys are easy to see, others are mental and are not so easy to see.

There is a rigent critereas for the blue badges and they are not dealt out like dolly mixtures!

Yes some people do "work" the system, but the vast majority that do need them and use them use them legally. It's only the ones that abuse the system that you hear about.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

Thanks very much for replying.

I must say I'm still a little confused regarding the criteria as to who is, and who isn't classed as disabled, were the DVLA is concerned.

Surely if someone's condition qualifies them as being severely disable bodied enough to qualify for higher rate mobility allowance, and thus a blue parking badge, then all those drivers should also have to undergo the disabled driving test that I underwent, and will continue to undergo every one or three years dependent on ability? Firstly to make sure they are safe enough to be on the road, and secondly that their car is suitabley adapted to allow them to drive safely with their disability.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

This is my very very last post on this subject jambutty, I have only one axe to grind with you so here goes, the off topic comment was about Prince Edward Island geographical position which I got right and you got wrong, the answer and I repeat myself nobody is always right not even a learned man as you, give us not so learned men/women a little credit for seeing that this system of mobility is abused, anyone wanting lesser benefits has to undergo the same medical as the free car people. jambutty I am not having a go at you, but once in a while you and I are wrong, as is the criteria for qualifying for these benefits. Please do not take this personall as I said previously your contributions to the site are invaluable, in my opinion. Regards,Ian.

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

The more I find out about this the more discrepencies there seem to be at work here.

Surely all drivers that are classed as disabled enough to qualify for a blue parking badge, should also have their driving ability tested? To make sure that their disability that entitles them to a blue parking badge, doesn't compromise the ability to drive safely.

There seems to be a two tier system in place here. Those like myself, who have to regularly have their licence renewed after strenuous testing, and other drivers who are also classed as disabled, whose driving ability is not tested.

I think I'll start a campaign. Either I won't have to retake my test in October, were my licence could be taken off me, renewed for one year, or the maximum three years, or all you lot with a blue parking badge will be forced to join me.:D

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

The award of the Blue Badge is about not being able to walk a short distance without suffering pain severe enough to make you stop and rest or needing help in walking, like in the case of a blind person. You can still get a Blued Badge even if you have never driven anything in your life and have no plans to do so. It has nothing to do with having the ability to drive.

A child over the age of 2 years can receive a Blue Badge if s/he meets the criteria.

The badge is issued to a person and it gives them parking privileges for the car that they happen to be travelling in. Thus I could take my badge and travel in my daughter’s car or anyone’s car as a passenger and the car could still be park where the badge allows.

Does that help?

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I agree with you their Gayle. It does seem sort of unfair that some people can park free and others have to pay.
It must just be my paranoia about being a constantly prejudiced against straight white male coming out again. ;)

Re: Blue badges for disabled
 

I know someone who is the same age as myself, we share the same neurologist, and were both diagnosed with the same condition at the same time. As advised we both informed the DVLA that we had Parkinson's Disease, yet he was never made to be retested. The fact that we are both at the same stage of having the disease is neither here nor there. All you tell the DVLA is that you have whatever condition, not how it affects your ability to drive.

There does seem to be an awfull lot of varience as to who is considered disabled, either to be regularly retested, or to qualify for the blue parking badge.