The Blue Badge scheme, allowing improved mobility for disabled people, is a vital service – many disabled people say they would go out less often if they did not know they could park safely.
The scheme has been in place since 1971 and needs to be updated for the 21st Century. Up to 31st March 2009 there were 261,288 badges issued in Scotland and there has been a 95% increase in badges issued since 1997. If left unaddressed the scheme would become unsustainable as there would simply be too many blue badges in circulation.
The aim of the consultation is to make the scheme easier to access for those eligible, easier to enforce and clamp down on those abusing the system, and to ensure efficient administration of the scheme.
Blue Badges fall into two categories – Automatic and Discretionary. Badges are automatically awarded to those in receipt of the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance, and to those receiving War Pensioners Mobility Supplement.
There have been some inconsistencies in the issuing of Discretionary badges and these should be addressed by this consultation. There is a questionnaire that all are encouraged to complete (Blue Badge holder or not) along with a back up document to give the background to some of the questions.
Since that document runs to 51 pages, it would be helpful to look at some of the more pertinent issues being addressed and to explain why the need for this consultation has arisen.
An important question is -
- Do you agree that we should amend the definition of “unable to walk or has considerable difficulty walking” so that it is consistent with that used for the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance assessments?
The suggested change here is that instead of issuing a badge to those who have “considerable difficulty walking” this should be amended to those who are “virtually unable to walk”. Hence less people could fall into this category as it is a lot more specific.
- Do you agree that we should encourage independent medical assessments?
In the past, blue badge applicants have been able to go to their own GPs to be medically assessed. Independent assessments are being proposed to ensure fair, consistent and objective treatment for all.
- Do you agree that we should introduce maximum fine of £2,500 for the misuse of a Blue Badge?
At the moment the maximum fine is £1000. This has meant that some fraudsters have taken the chance to use a badge illegally because even if they were caught, it would still be cheaper than paying for parking on a daily basis!
- Would you like to see the badge holder’s photograph on the front of the badge?
This is a hotly debated issue. Some feel that it would be simpler if parking attendants/police officers could see whose badge is being used by looking at it through the windscreen. Others believe there is a security risk attached to other people being able to see who the badge belongs to and therefore making them a “soft target” for crime.
- Do you think we should make it mandatory for all authorities to charge a fee of £20 for every application?
- Do you think we should also charge a fee of £20 for a replacement badge?
At present, different local authorities charge different amounts for a Blue Badge application. Some do not charge at all. The aim here is consistency instead of the “postcode lottery” we have now. Additionally, a £20 fee per application should help dissuade fraudsters who submit multiple applications under different identities, a significant issue. A charge for a replacement badge is suggested to encourage people to take care of their badge in the same way as they would do their passport or driving licence. And again, hopefully dissuade fraud, when people claim to have “lost” badges and require a replacement.
The majority of Blue Badges are issued for three years, so applicants would be paying, in effect, £20 for three years of the benefits associated with the badge.
- Do you agree that each Organisational Badge should contain the vehicle registration number?
- Do you agree that we should alter the design of an Organisational Badge to make it easily identifiable?
These moves are suggested to discourage abuse of organisational badges – e.g. minibuses belonging to care homes, hospitals etc. Were the badge to include the registration number, and perhaps have a different coloured border to distinguish it, then it would be less likely to be used by an individual on their private car.
- Would you like to see research carried out on the implications of removing some of the additional concessions for badge holders?
This refers to concessions such as free or reduced ferry travel for Blue Badge holders. Sometimes people use badges fraudulently for financial advantage such as this. Perhaps if this financial advantage were to be removed, there would be less fraud?
The Blue Badge Reform Consultation form can be completed online at the Scottish Government website here.
Hopefully this consultation will result in a fairer and more consistent Blue Badge scheme, where applications will be dealt with identically regardless of where the applicant lives.
If you have any queries about any aspects of the form please contact Clare Byrne, who is the Spinal Injuries Scotland representative on the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS) – clare.byrne@sisonline.org, Clare will be happy handle queries if there are any difficulties with specific questions in the form, or if you require any further information about Blue Badges in general.
The closing date for this consultation is 8th October 2010.
Options, the QENSIU based sport and recreation charity run by the therapy staff has released the timetable for their upcoming “Options Week”.
