Blue badges ! - where did they originally come from ? ...

[vittorio]

Many of us have got one , , but I''ve been trying to find out the history of them , but without success . Every time I try to look it up on the internet , it keeps dredging up information on how to apply for one etc even though I keep typing = " WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE BLUE BADGE " ? ...so folks , the Badge is universally recognised and displayed throughout most countries , Who designed it ? , how old is it ,? WAS IT ORIGINALLY BRITISH ? .... ....any answers folks ? ....endless thanklies !!!

[mrsmummy]

'In the United Kingdom (UK), this scheme of permits was originally introduced (using Orange Badges) by the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.'

Try here:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disab...

Agreed here:

Annex B

Overview of the Blue Badge

concessions and history ....

2.

The history of the concession

2.1

The Disabled Person’s Parking Badge Scheme (then known as the Orange Badge

Scheme) was introduced in December 1971 through section 21 of the Chronically

Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

webarchive.nationalarchives...

[Carnival567 in reply to mrsmummy]

My original badge was orange, it changed to blue to comply with European regulations. It can at the moment be used anywhere in the EU!

[Misstickle in reply to mrsmummy]

I wonder if many people remember the little one-seater Invacars that were supplied to the disabled? My brother (a paraplegic) had one in the 1950's and he was able to his pull his folded up wheelchair in after he got himself into the driving seat. This was what they originally provided on the Motobility scheme I think. A bit different to the big family sized 4x4s lots of people get now! I can't remember if he had a free parking badge, but then you could probably park in most places in those days.

[Hidden in reply to Misstickle]

bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-ouch-2...

[Misstickle in reply to Hidden]

Fascinating Don-Rhymer - it really takes me back. The Invacar was a life-saver to my brother who was paralysed aged 18. It gave him independence and enabled him to get to college to continue his education. He's 80 now!

[Hidden in reply to Misstickle]

Your message really took me back. My first serious girlfriend was a Miss Tickle back in the 1950s.

[Misstickle in reply to Hidden]

Ah - nothing like Memory Lane!

[Pentreath Volunteer in reply to Misstickle]

My father had an Invacar in the 50s (he was disabled through polio as a very young child). We were always worried about him in case anything happened as he would not have been able to do anything to repair the car. They were very unstable in high winds too. Much better nowadays with the proper cars provided through Motobility.

[Buzzytruk in reply to Misstickle]

Hi... You brought back memories .... My first boyfriend had a job in the work shop of a small factory which repaired those invalid cars as we called them .......

Thanks for the trip dowm memory lane.

Jo.

[dogcyrus]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fil...

[inhaler1]

Makes me wonder what will happen now we are out of the EU, I always use my badge in Spain and Portugal, and get two for one entry to tourist attraction abroad.

[undine in reply to inhaler1]

we are not out of the EU yet and from my point of view with a bit of luck we won't be xx