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Blue Badge scheme to be extended to people who have
less visible disabilities, making journeys more
accessible
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This change to the scheme is the biggest in nearly 50
years with the extended criteria coming into force on 30
August.
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Review also launched into Blue Badge fraud and ways of
reducing misuse.
People with hidden disabilities will soon be able to access Blue
Badge parking permits, thanks to the roll out of new guidance
today (Saturday, June 15).
For drivers or passengers with dementia, anxiety disorders or
reduced mobility, anticipating difficulty travelling, such as
trouble finding a parking space, can result in a build-up of
stress on top of the stress of the journey itself.
The new guidance, which represents the biggest change to the
scheme since the 1970s, will offer a lifeline to people who often
find road travel difficult by providing better access to work and
other amenities, while also helping combat loneliness by helping
them stay connected to family and friends.
The expanded scheme coincides with the launch of a new task force
to toughen up enforcement and help councils tackle fraudulent use
of the badges.
Transport Secretary said:
“As a society we don’t do enough for people with hidden
disabilities.
“I hope this change to Blue Badge guidance will make a real
difference to people’s lives.”
At the end of 2018, the Local Government Association estimated
that the theft of Blue Badges had risen by 45 per cent in 12
months and was up six-fold since 2013.
The review will look at ensuring Blue Badges are used correctly
and improving public understanding so that those with hidden
disabilities can use the badges with confidence.
Minister for Disabled People said:
"It’s unacceptable that people with hidden disabilities still
face discrimination when using disabled facilities like parking
spaces.
“Extending the Blue Badge scheme is a watershed moment in
ensuring those with hidden disabilities are able to travel with
greater ease and live more independent lives.”
To help councils with the expected increase in applications, the
department has agreed with the Ministry of Housing, Communities
and Local Government to provide £1.7 million in the first year of
the programme.
The Department for Transport has been working with specialists to
expand the eligibility criteria for the badges, which will now
include people who cannot walk as part of a journey without
considerable psychological distress or the risk of serious harm.
The Blue Badge scheme already means people with physical
disabilities can park closer to their destination than other
drivers, as they are less able to take public transport or walk
longer distances.
The extension of these badges to those with less visible
conditions was announced last summer following an eight-week
consultation on widening the eligibility criteria. It is an
important part of the Government’s drive for greater parity
between physical and mental health.
Jane Harris, Director of External Affairs at the National
Autistic Society, said:
"The changes will make a huge difference to thousands of autistic
people and their families across England – helping them to go out
in the way many others take for granted.
“Just leaving the house is incredibly difficult for many autistic
people – and involves detailed preparation. Some autistic people
have no concept of the dangers of the road while others are so
anxious about plans going wrong, like not being able to find a
parking space, that they don’t go out at all. Having a Blue Badge
will be life-changing and help many to reduce loneliness and
isolation.”
A task group will be set up with key organisations to gather
ideas and evidence on how to improve the consistency of council
enforcement to tackle fraud and misuse.
The review will also look at ensuring that there is greater
public awareness of which groups are eligible for a badge, when
it can and cannot be used, and how to surrender the badge when it
is no longer needed, for example if the badge holder dies.
While the new criteria will give clear and consistent guidelines
on Blue Badge eligibility for the whole of England, not everyone
with non-physical disabilities will qualify for a badge. It will
be up to the relevant local authority to decide if an
applicant meets the eligibility criteria, as is currently the
case.
Last year, the Government set out its plans to improve
accessibility across all modes of transport in the Inclusive Transport
Strategy which launched on 25 July 2018. The strategy aims to
make the UK’s transport network fully inclusive by 2030.
Editor’s notes
The DfT will review the funding given to local authorities
to widen the scheme after 12 months.
