Mobility News | September – October 2019

Blue badge scheme now open to
people with invisible disabilities
The Department for
Transport recently announced
new guidelines for qualifying
for a Blue Badge meaning
people with invisible disabilities
could be eligible. Learn
more about the Department
of Transport decision and
what it could mean for you
in this article by the Press
Association.
People with invisible
disabilities can now apply
to use blue badge parking
permits, the government has
announced.
The Department for
Transport (DfT) issued the
new guidance in June 2019,
advising that those with
conditions such as dementia
or anxiety disorders could be
eligible for the scheme, which
allows people to park closer to
their destination.
But despite the new criteria,
local authorities will still have
the final say on who does and
does not qualify.
There are about 2.35 million
holders of the blue badge in
the UK at present. The DfT
could not estimate how many
more people would qualify
after the extension of the rules.
The transport secretary,
Chris Grayling, 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.”
Justin Tomlinson, the
minister for disabled people,
said: “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.”
The DfT is also launching a
review into blue badge fraud
after the Local Government
Association estimated that
theft of the parking permits
rose by 45% in 2018, a six-fold
increase since 2013.
More than 1,200 people
faced legal action for misusing
the blue badge in 2017-18;
however, only 40% of local
authorities in England did not
have a policy on prosecutions.
The LGA said: “Despite
limited resources, councils
are trying to crack down
on dishonest motorists by
prosecuting offenders and
seizing blue badges suspected
of being used illegally, so it is
good that the government has
listened to our concerns and
has committed to a review
which will support councils in
tackling fraudulent use.
“People can help councils
win the fight against blue
badge fraud, by tipping us off
about people they suspect are
illegally using a badge, bearing
in mind this new eligibility and
that people’s need for a badge
might not be obvious.”
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