Disabled Parking

marleyboy

mountainofdebt wrote: »

Non disabled spaced are not at a premium like disabled spaces....might be a pita but not such a big deal if you've got mobility issues

I think unless you have got mobility issues yourself, your not in any position to judge whether having mobility issues is a big deal or not. I reckon the majority of those with mobility issues might disagree with you and would happily trade in their disabilities in order to park just like anyone else.

dori2o

FBaby wrote: »

The issue is whether the council should consider putting a limit or not. It's not because it's not now that they think it is acceptable, more that they didn't consider the possibility that these would be used every day by people working. Indeed, I expect if someone complains, they are likely to change it without warning.

I find it shocking that 'important people' get a parking space above disabled people. Surely this is where the problem lies. They should offer parking to these two employees.

I would think that if the employer does have the facility to offer parking which is close to, or at the place of work, then there could be a requirement, under the Equality Act, to make a reasonable adjustment to make one or more of these spaces available to disabled employees.

GlasweJen

Maybe the parking available isn't close enough or is unsuitable in other ways?

I don't drive but if I did I'd not be able to access our carpark at work because there are steep stairs down to it.

dori2o

GlasweJen wrote: »

Maybe the parking available isn't close enough or is unsuitable in other ways?

I don't drive but if I did I'd not be able to access our carpark at work because there are steep stairs down to it.

There is that I agree, but where possible, IMO, the employer has a duty to make these adjustments where it is of benefit to the employee.

janb5

Saint_Chris wrote: »

Do these badges belong to the people who are working?..............or are they relatives badges, because where I live, everyone uses their mum/dad/grans badges.

Actually this is illegal and as a grandmother of a severely disabled little boy I know that if you are caught driving a car with a blue badge and the disabled person is not in the car then you are fined £1000.

lostinrates

fluffnutter wrote: »

I think the source of the problem is the failure of the employer to provide adequate support to its disabled workers. There are parking spaces available but these are for 'important' people. If they changed their definition to 'those that actually need a parking space close to the workplace rather than people who think they're important' then the OP's colleagues wouldn't struggle to get to work and these council spaces would be free for others. Win win.

It might be that the 'important' people make trips out frequently through the day and so parking further away from the office might cost more in work time too ( and time being money.....) .....which might be why if the street parking is legal no other provision has been made.

lostinrates

I up have been dithering and dithering recently over whether to apply for a blue badge for parking. ( luckily I don't have to work away from home and can do everything I 'need' to do without it, but I am already panicky about my next trip to the larger hospital i attend where the non disabled parking is very inconvenient). I just don't go out any where alone anymore, because then my husband can drop me off somewhere and meet me, rather than me walking if I cannot. Some days I am fine, but we never know in advance.

It's animosity shown on threads like this that makes me think its just easier not to go out.

Nicki

If you qualify for a blue badge LIR, you should definitely apply for it. On better days or if your OH is able to drop you and pick you up, then it is your choice as to whether to use it, and you might decide to carry on as you are. But you should certainly not be confined to home on the days you aren't as able or your OH is not around, and you should definitely be able to park at the hospital with no shame or stigma attached. It is those biatching about disabled parking who should be ashamed and embarrassed, not those who need to use it.

lostinrates

Nicki wrote: »

If you qualify for a blue badge LIR, you should definitely apply for it. On better days or if your OH is able to drop you and pick you up, then it is your choice as to whether to use it, and you might decide to carry on as you are. But you should certainly not be confined to home on the days you aren't as able or your OH is not around, and you should definitely be able to park at the hospital with no shame or stigma attached. It is those biatching about disabled parking who should be ashamed and embarrassed, not those who need to use it.

I have been for a while now. It creeps up on one really.

Supermarkets etc make it easy I not to realise that you are choosing that rather than the high street not because your morals have changes entirely but because you just cannot do it any more, the walk from the car park into a town centre if you cannot get street parking.

I have been putting it off and off because I don't want to think of myself as a blue badge user and also because when I read the stuff I think 'but I only cannot do that on an extraoridarily :Abad day'. About the walking distances and stuff. But the bad days are maybe more common than I accept now, and also, perhaps I am judging myself a little harshly. People I know well enough to know their physical limitations are lesser than Mine have blue badges.

I dunno what to do really, so its easier to do nothing. . I haven't been out ' for fun' my myself for a long time. . I resent that loss of freedom. But I might have to give up the car soon, at which point it all becomes moot point for me anyway

tea_lover

lostinrates - I just wanted to echo what Nicki has said. If you are eligible for a blue badge, then please get yourself one. You don't have to use it all the time, but just knowing it's there can be a real confidence boost when it comes to making plans to go out.

It took us ages to convince my mum that the time had come to get one but it really has helped her so much. We're now having the same arguments with her about admitting she needs to use a wheelchair but that's a totally different subject.

As for the OP, I don't see an issue. So long as the people have genuine badges they are entitled to park there. There don't appear to be any time restrictions so why shouldn't they park there all day?

ETA: as for it being a moot point if you don't have a car, I'd disagree (politely lol). My mum hasn't driven for 40+ years but has a badge that she can use in the car of whoever of us is giving her a lift.