Blue Badge scheme to be extended - MSE News

Former_MSE_Megan_F

People with hidden disabilities, including autism and mental health conditions, will soon be able to get a Blue Badge parking permit...

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'Blue Badge scheme to be extended'

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Johno100

And I thpught the idea of the Blue Badge was to help those with mobility problems?

Car_54

I'm struggling to understand why someone with autism would need to park nearer the shops.

haras_nosirrah

I am hoping people aren't going to take the pee with this.

With regards to Autism it should be down to the severity. One of my friends has a 'child' with autism. He is 20 years old and will never be independent. He has epic tantrums and will throw himself on the floor, is non verbal, in nappies and has violent ticks and will run off. He is basically a 19 stone, 6ft 2 yr old. - they need a blue badge and will hopefully now get one (they may already have one - am not sure as never asked) as him in a car park is quite dangerous as she cannot restrain him being half his weight and around 5 ft 4

Some people are autistic spectrum and can function perfectly normally when out about e.g. chris packham from the television - he clearly would not need a blue badge

There will need to be descriptors that need to be met rather than just a label of autism

Paul_Herring

Car_54 wrote: »

I'm struggling to understand why someone with autism would need to park nearer the shops.

Because of the rush for parking at Morrisons between 9am and 10am on Saturdays?

https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/morrisons-quieter-hour-autistic-customers-autism-supermarket-music-noise-a8454271.html

unholyangel

Car_54 wrote: »

I'm struggling to understand why someone with autism would need to park nearer the shops.

No 2 people with autism are the same but people with autism can struggle with recognising danger or hazards.

icefall

Who will be able to get a Blue Badge?

The new criteria will extend eligibility to people who:

• Cannot make a journey without there being a risk of serious harm to their health or safety or that of any other person (such as young children with autism)
• Cannot make a journey without it causing them very considerable psychological distress
• Have very considerable difficulty when walking

For anyone wondering what the new criteria are

Paul_Herring

icefall wrote: »

Who will be able to get a Blue Badge?

The new criteria will extend eligibility to people who:

[...]
• Have very considerable difficulty when walking

Wasn't that in the list of 'original' criteria? Indeed, wasn't it the whole point? To allow them to get parking slots near to the entrance of the shop...

fred246

I used to take my disabled parents shopping at a very large retail park. We would park outside in a disabled spot and get them into their scooters. They could go miles on their scooters so they didn't really need to park outside the entrance. Anyone that couldn't walk to the door would never be able to walk round the massive shops. Free toll crossings for disabled people? Why on earth? Abled bodied could swim across pushing their cars? I think it all needs a major rethink.

Mercdriver

fred246 wrote: »

I used to take my disabled parents shopping at a very large retail park. We would park outside in a disabled spot and get them into their scooters. They could go miles on their scooters so they didn't really need to park outside the entrance. Anyone that couldn't walk to the door would never be able to walk round the massive shops. Free toll crossings for disabled people? Why on earth? Abled bodied could swim across pushing their cars? I think it all needs a major rethink.

At the end of the year, Severn Tolls are no more for everyone...

neilmcl

fred246 wrote: »

I used to take my disabled parents shopping at a very large retail park. We would park outside in a disabled spot and get them into their scooters. They could go miles on their scooters so they didn't really need to park outside the entrance. Anyone that couldn't walk to the door would never be able to walk round the massive shops. Free toll crossings for disabled people? Why on earth? Abled bodied could swim across pushing their cars? I think it all needs a major rethink.

Trust me the last thing you want as a driver is a load of people on mobility scooters running up and down in the main car park, I'm more than happy for them to have places at the entrance.