New rules for Blue Badge Scheme allows over 12,000 new people to receive badges

The rules regarding who is eligible for a Blue Badge which allows the use of disabled parking bays changed in the summer of 2019 and now, new figures released by the Department of Transport at the start of 2020 has revealed that 12,299 people have been awarded a Blue Badge thanks to the change in criteria.

The scheme has now been expanded to those with ‘hidden disabilities’ which includes those with Autism, Parkinson’s, dementia, epilepsy and other conditions.

In the first three months of the extended scheme, the new figures show that around 130 blue badges a day were granted to those that cannot walk long distances without considerable distress as well as to those with a less visible disability allowing thousands of people to benefit from the changes.

Speaking about the new figures, Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, said:

 “People with hidden conditions like these have to fight not just their disability, but the psychological worry that others may not recognise them as disabled. I’m proud that our reform is already changing thousands of people’s lives, allowing those in need to carry on their daily lives with more confidence and helping combat loneliness and isolation.”

The Blue Badge Scheme was initially launched to help those with mobility needs gain access to shops and other services by allowing them use of allocated parking bays that are located closer to their destinations. The new criteria will allow many more people who struggle to access basic services to be able to live more independently.

In a press release issued by the Department of Transport, Keith Richards, chair of the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC), said: “DPTAC has worked hard to bring the issue of non-visible disabilities to the fore. Enabling those with non-visible disabilities to benefit from a Blue Badge will bring a critical improvement in the lives of many disabled people and it is right that the criteria was changed.”

Despite the Government’s criteria giving clear guidelines on non-visible disability eligibility in England, local authorities have the final say over who qualifies for Blue Badges, with not all applicants with invisible disabilities being eligible.