Blue badge rule changes - autism is included now

[crazysquirrel]

I have just been reading about the new rules for Blue Badges so that people with hidden disabilities are now able to get them - bbc.co.uk/news/uk-49521867. This will include autism for the first time.

I think that this is great but, as Scope say in the article on the BBC website, this won't mean much if there aren't enough place to park.

Scope welcomed the move but said if spaces are scarce, the badges "are not worth the paper they're printed on".

BB parking spaces are few and far between near me.

[Hidden]

Hi crazysquirrel, thank you for sharing this. (The link didn’t seem to work for me but I just searched for the ‘hidden disability blue badge” and got it that way ☺️. I agree with you; it is a positive step in the right direction but mindsets need to change if BB holders are to be able to use this new right, particularly local councils who are the decision makers of the scheme.

A blue badge would help me enormously- I’m definitely going to do more research on this topic. How did you find out the (limited) number of spaces near you, just experience or is it something you can search for online?

Thank you again.

TTT x

[lqrt43]

Hi crazysquirrel. Thanks for starting a post on this. I have been looking forward to the changes and hoping they will help people with autism. Then I saw the BBC report and was a little confused.

From what I can find out, the Blue Badge parking rules are very complex - but not everyone is limited to using BB parking spaces. Depending on the local area, there may be other options. So I am still hopeful...

There is a list at the bottom of this page (although it is only a starting point):

gov.uk/government/publicati...

(The link is for England, but I think there are similar lists for those in other parts of the UK.)

[camptys]

We've had a blue badge for a couple of years and yes, it's a great help. Bear in mind that you are also able to park in "normal" parking bays for free, provided you place the badge on the car.

Be aware of those boroughs that do not allow you to park in resident's parking spaces however, you could get a ticket.

[Charlie2750 Community friend]

I have recently applied for a Blue Badge for my son who does not have autism but has Learning Disabilities. I have tried twice before but because he can walk our Local Authority refused to issue a BB. I applied because it is a way of showing other drivers that he does have problems.He does not seem the obvious and even in supermarkets shopping he will stand in the aisle and people ask him to move normally because he cannot see that they are trying to get past.

I have another son who is registered blind and he has a blue badge(which I use when I take him shopping) but his badge was an automatic thing that I also applied for when he was registered.He does not have learning disabilities.

Be aware if you come to Somerset you do not get free parking with a blue badge but you get an extra hour but you still have to pay for at least 1 hour, so read the parking notices carefully and don't get fined Although most people with learning disabilities should have equal rights not all local authorities are equal!

[BenjiB]

It’s great. My son is 20 with severe autism. We’ve always had them but since PIP its been more difficult. I’ve always applied under special consideration and been issued them. I guess each council Is different though.

[49Twister]

This isn’t as straight forward as it seems. My son has severe learning disabilities since birth, he got the maximum no of 12 points for planning a journey etc from pip, which you need, to apply for a blue badge. He has been rejected which beggars belief,as he needs support to get anywhere!!! He is 45, life has been so hard for him and myself and they constantly want to make it harder. In Scotland they are automatically awarded a blue badge if they have the max 12 points. I will be appealing and Newcastle City Council need to hang their heads in shame.