Selfish and ignorant...

jacques_chirac

POPPYOSCAR wrote: »

The problem is that the scheme is so abused.

I know of someone with a blue badge who used to lend it to their mother so she could park for work everyday.

This makes us question those that do not look as if they are in need of one.

What should a BB holder look like? What does a disabled person look like?

It disappoints me that someone would judge another because they do not fit a certain stereotype.

looker

pogofish wrote: »

Complete and utter rubbish!

The Blue Badge scheme does not apply on private property and its the landowner who is going to be liable for prosecution if they discriminate against a disabled person, badge or no badge by refusing them a suitable space as a reasonable adjustment under the Equality Act.

Also, check the handbook/supporting docs online for any issuing authority - The limits on BB validity are made quite clear.

Copied from the blue badge handbook


Where the Scheme does NOT apply




The Scheme does not apply:

• On private roads
• In off-street car parks. However, some may provide spaces for disabled people. You should check the signs to see what concessions are available, and whether Blue Badge holders have to pay. Always display your Blue Badge when occupying one of these spaces.
• In certain town centres, where access is prohibited or limited to vehicles with special permits issued locally.
• In Central London, but some facilities are provided.
• On the road systems at some airports (e.g. Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester). You should therefore contact the airport concerned in advance to check the car parking arrangements.

gregg1

jacques_chirac wrote: »

Agreed, the OP needs to look at their own bias before accusing others of being ignorant.

I have seen other threads on here from upset drivers that have been approached and questioned as to their right to park in a disabled space - just shows there are two sides to every story

You need to read my post again.

She did not have a blue badge. She had the clock part. That is not a blue badge.

Nothing to do with bias.

gregg1

jacques_chirac wrote: »

What should a BB holder look like? What does a disabled person look like?

It disappoints me that someone would judge another because they do not fit a certain stereotype.

She was not a BB holder. It disappoints me that someone would continually miss the point for the sake of being contentious, particularly a Newbie!

gregg1

duchy wrote: »

The whole attitude of "if you can walk (or run) at a given moment you aren't disabled " displayed by the OP shows they have no understanding of disabilities in general. As they are someone who was in a position of helping another disabled person-even if they aren't a proper carer doing it on a regular basis (they don't specify) it shows how far we still need to go as a society.

I apologised for any offence my earlier post caused in that respect. Would it not be gracious to accept that apology perhaps rather than continue to criticise?

kingfisherblue

My son has a BB and an obvious disability - he has Down's Syndrome, and due to other medical problems, is a wheelchair user.

However, I have friends whose children are disabled but have a hidden disability. Some of these children have a BB, but they can run for short spells (as can my son, although it causes my son pain). In my authority, a BB is sometimes issued to children with autism and challenging behaviour (but not necessarily to children without the challenging behaviour), as it means the child can reach the car quickly in the event of a meltdown.

It is possible, maybe not likely but still possible, that this woman had a child with a hidden disability such as this.

I know that the clock is not the BB, but if she was rushing to chase after her child (and I know that there is no suggestion from the OP that this is the case), she might have picked up the wrong card accidentally, or just didn't have time to display everything properly (as she should). Having said that, it sounds likely that she may not have needed the disabled space, but if it was on private land, a disabled space is a courtesy only. From what the OP has said, this woman was not particularly courteous.

gregg1

kingfisherblue wrote: »

My son has a BB and an obvious disability - he has Down's Syndrome, and due to other medical problems, is a wheelchair user.

However, I have friends whose children are disabled but have a hidden disability. Some of these children have a BB, but they can run for short spells (as can my son, although it causes my son pain). In my authority, a BB is sometimes issued to children with autism and challenging behaviour (but not necessarily to children without the challenging behaviour), as it means the child can reach the car quickly in the event of a meltdown.

It is possible, maybe not likely but still possible, that this woman had a child with a hidden disability such as this.

I know that the clock is not the BB, but if she was rushing to chase after her child (and I know that there is no suggestion from the OP that this is the case), she might have picked up the wrong card accidentally, or just didn't have time to display everything properly (as she should). Having said that, it sounds likely that she may not have needed the disabled space, but if it was on private land, a disabled space is a courtesy only. From what the OP has said, this woman was not particularly courteous.

I did not remonstrate with her, just asked her politely if I could use the space bearing in mind, I actually got there first and positioned the car to reverse in. She drove in after me and went straight into the space, I have difficulty imagining she did not see me. Particularly as when I requested the space, she replied she was parking there as there were no other space. It was then that I pointed out it was actually a disabled space and my passenger suffered with mobility issues. She then laughed, came back to the car and said, "oh, ok then, tell you what, I'll be disabled as well then" threw the clock onto the dashboard and ran off laughing.

LadyMorticia

Unfortunately, on private land disabled spaces are a courtesy only (that is what I understand, anyway and that fines are unenforceable on them. Can someone clarify that for me, please?)

I'll try not to get into the debate of hidden disabilities. However, as you rightly said the clock alone does not allow someone to park in a disabled space, but I guess in a hurry she may have got the wrong part out of her handbag, especially if she was late for the appointment or trying to keep an eye on her children.

How far did you have to park away, in the end? I hope that it wasn't too far away and that your passenger didn't suffer any ill effects from it.

gregg1

LadyMorticia wrote: »

Unfortunately, on private land disabled spaces are a courtesy only (that is what I understand, anyway and that fines are unenforceable on them. Can someone clarify that for me, please?)

I'll try not to get into the debate of hidden disabilities. However, as you rightly said the clock alone does not allow someone to park in a disabled space, but I guess in a hurry she may have got the wrong part out of her handbag, especially if she was late for the appointment or trying to keep an eye on her children.

How far did you have to park away, in the end? I hope that it wasn't too far away and that your passenger didn't suffer any ill effects from it.

Thank you. It was not private land.

I suppose you had to be there to understand her attitude. Despite the backlash on here, I am still convinced she did not have a blue badge.

pogofish

looker wrote: »

Copied from the blue badge handbook


Where the Scheme does NOT apply




The Scheme does not apply:

• On private roads
• In off-street car parks. However, some may provide spaces for disabled people. You should check the signs to see what concessions are available, and whether Blue Badge holders have to pay. Always display your Blue Badge when occupying one of these spaces.
• In certain town centres, where access is prohibited or limited to vehicles with special permits issued locally.
• In Central London, but some facilities are provided.
• On the road systems at some airports (e.g. Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester). You should therefore contact the airport concerned in advance to check the car parking arrangements.

And your apology for trying to mislead posters please?

The salient point is the first two sentences!

Especially considering that the EHRC have also determined that it is illegal (and criminal) discrimination to require a Blue Badge for a suitably disabled person (or someone driving for them) for parking on private property.