Blue badge - am I being too literal?

[Gizmosmum]

I'll just preface this by saying that I have a child with some disabilities that affect her mobility. I've not applied for a BB because I don't think she'd reliably meet the criteria, though we do normally park in P&C spaces/the closest we can get/get my husband to drop us off and he parks and joins us.

I'm wondering though if I'm being too literal about the criteria. Putting aside for now those in a wheelchair, the mobility criteria seems to be that the person can walk less than 50m or that it's difficult or impossible to walk. Obviously it's a bit more nuanced than that, but that seems to be a summary.

But take a large supermarket for example, some of the BB parking spaces themselves are more than 50m from the entrance, and my Tesco (looking at Google maps) some of the BB spaces are 100m away and the store is about 100x50m. Even in a local co-op, you'd walk more than 50m from the entrance, down the aisles, paying and then back to the exit, even if parked right outside.

So in my mind, if mobility is tricky enough to satisfy the BB criteria, that Tesco store would probably be impossible anyway. I'm clearly missing something here though.

In lots of places, the BB spaces are further from the 'venue' then the criteria for a BB would allow.

We recently got an access card for my child, and she got the <50m symbol awarded, but I feel awkward about that. She has issues with fatigue and balance as a result of a serious medical condition, and whilst often can run around a park with friends, has a back up pushchair for when she's tired, needs to be carried a lot etc. There are times I carry her to the toilet because she's too tired, and definitely times when 50m is insurmountable.

Maybe I'm being too literal in my interpretation? Perhaps I should apply for one for her? I don't know.

I have no experience but wouldn’t overthink it. If you feel you need it, no harm in applying for it and if it gets declined, you haven’t lost anything. Surely the parking spaces are also to allow space to get a wheelchair out etc so could still be useful to you even if they’re further away?

Apply, answer the questions truthfully and either you will meet the criteria or not.

The needs of a disable person vary hugely.

A BB space in a supermarket that is 100m away from the door might be much better for a wheelchair user than an on-street space right outside the shop door.

Because many people need the extra space around the car to get their own chair into position and are then fine to wheel along a clear level path. Whereas a solo wheelchair user might find it hard on a narrow shopping street right by the shop.

Other people need to avoid sunlight, or drip I. Temperature, or manage the safety of children with cognitive conditions.

Just fill in the form accurately about your own child’s needs.

I think you should apply although you don’t say how old your child is. We had a bb for my son who had no mobility issues (apart from dyspraxia). He had adhd and asd. His paediatrician saw us walking to school one day and when I saw her a few days later she’d rung the local council to tell them to expect our request!

That woman was wonderful!

I think we'd definitely get it if we applied, but I haven't because I don't think she literally fits the criteria, and so it felt wrong to do so.

But then I realised that it can't be a literal interpretation, because otherwise it just wouldn't work. I think people interpret it as 'can't walk much', but it's pretty much down the garden or back.

Whilst I appreciate that people have BB for other reasons, in terms of mobility cases, unless it's something like a small cafe with parking outside, it's always going to exceed 50m, so theoretically would exclude the very people that BB are designed to help. If I'm making sense.

This isn't an argument that the spaces shouldn't exist or anything btw, and I totally get that being able to park 25m from the shop entrance saves more stamina to go round the shop than 200m away.

I also get that if the criteria was widened be a more honest reflection of distance, that you'd get more people who could manage with standard spaces applying.

I am in a similar situation with my DD in that she has episodes and sometimes longer phases where mobility is a huge issue due to fatigue and pain but then can be completely fine for a few days or even weeks. Because of the up and down nature of the condition I haven't applied for the BB but I have recently been strongly encouraged to by a child support worker. I think the final push that is making my decision to get on and do it as that I'm reaching the point where I cannot carry DD if she has a slump. But then the thing that stops me applying is that I feel like a fraud when she skips her way around a countryside walk climbing trees and absolutely fine 🤷🏻‍♀️

I also don't want us to adopt the mentality of her having a disability because her condition hopefully won't be permanent.

I have a BB.

my car is big because I need to get a wheelchair in it.

it does fit in a standard space but you can’t get the wheelchair out very easily then.
the BB spaces are bigger and have space in between them and at the back to get a wheelchair out and so you can get a wheelchair in between the cars which you cannot in standard spaces.

My DC has a BB

There's no blue badge top trumps, if you are assessed as eligible you can use it.Just put everything down on the form and they will assess your DC and make a decision.

She's 6. She has the sort of diagnosis that would instinctively make people go 'crikey yes' if that makes sense - the access card was approved in 7 minutes.

I probably am being too literal.
I also feel a little embarrassed at the idea of her having a BB but being able to play in a park etc, even though we always have to consider where we park, whether I get dropped off with her etc, because it is a factor. I think I'd we had one, I'd only use it where otherwise it would be a nightmare/we'd have to get dropped off.

I did park briefly in a disabled space recently (I know I shouldn't) because I had to get her back to school, but needed to carry her as she was so exhausted, the car park was otherwise full, and my alternative was to carry her 300m with her asleep on my shoulder. It got me thinking that maybe we do need it sometimes.

@Gizmosmum and @GoneIsAnotherSummersDay there is a lot of I in your posts about embarrassment and fraud. Disability isn’t as you know about a wheelchair so apply

these things are not easy to get - if you apply and get it you need it. This isn’t about anything other than helping your child and helping you to make sure they get what they need

stop worrying about what others think and what may or may not happen in the future

I'm not sure you are quite getting what I mean.

It's that when BB spaces are further away from an entrance than the maximum walking distance for eligibility, either it means they are impossible for BB users to use, or that the 50m rule isn't literal, as they'd surpass that by even getting to the entrance in many places (let alone to do what they've travelled for).

Having a BB doesn't mean you always have to use it. Apply for the badge, get it, then if she has a good day, don't use it. If she has a bad day, use it.

It sounds like she would qualify. If you have a BB you don’t have to use it all of the time, if the parent & child space or a regular space is more convenient it’s obviously fine to use that instead. It sounds like it would be useful to have it for times where a disabled spot is the most convenient. Also bear in mind she is going to get bigger and carrying her will not always be an option.

Being able to walk under 50 metres is only one of the criteria which means you automatically get a blue badge. There are other criteria (eg: being registered blind) which also give automatic approval and lots of criteria which mean somebody may be eligible, many of which are nothing to do with the physical ability to walk: www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-can-i-get-one/can-i-get-a-blue-badge#people-who-automatically-get-a-blue-badge

You’re not thinking it through.

Do you think people struggle to walk to the door then get a piggyback around the shop so they don’t have to walk? They still need to make their way around the shop, and that frequently means use of mobility aids, which in turn requires more space around their vehicle for wheelchairs, walkers, adapted pushchairs or whatever is needed.

It’s not only about the proximity.

And yes, you should apply for a blue badge for your daughter. On days she doesn’t need it, don’t use it. But on the days she does, it’s very handy to have.

Apply and only use it when needed

Just apply and let them decide. Or get PIP including the mobility component, even better. I believe there is a section that applies for those who are mobile but have other conditions such as learning disability. I had to appeal on those grounds when DS was about 5 years old (a long time ago) and was successful. The narrative around blue badges is very much mobility focused and staff administering the system often don’t know it can also cover those with mobility but e.g. no sense of safety etc

People might get out of their car and transfer into a wheelchair or mobility scooter, or they might use canes and have to sit down for a break once inside the store.

But somebody who can’t walk 50m unaided can likely still travel over 50m if they use a mobility aid such as a walking frame or a wheelchair. Blue badge spaces have extra room for people to get equipment out. As you say your DD’s fatigue fluctuates and this is the case for lots of disabled people. Just because they can’t reliably walk 50 metres doesn’t mean they can’t ever travel more than 50 metres in one go, it might depend on how they are feeling that day or may be possible with the right equipment. You are definitely being too literal.

Also, some people can be eligible for a blue badge even if they can walk over 50 metres. Somebody who is blind for example may be able to walk miles but would still be eligible for a blue badge.

You’re not thinking it through.
Do you think people struggle to walk to the door then get a piggyback around the shop so they don’t have to walk? They still need to make their way around the shop, and that frequently means use of mobility aids, which in turn requires more space around their vehicle for wheelchairs, walkers, adapted pushchairs or whatever is needed.

I am thinking it through, but perhaps overly literally. For exactly the reason you say - struggling to the door and piggyback! I don't think it's the case though that all of those who fall under the less than 50m criteria use wheelchairs/walkers. And yes, many would appreciate sitting for a rest, but those are non existent in the average supermarket.

I think it's worded as it is to minimise the amount of people taking the piss by applying +which would happen if it was a larger distance I guess), but it logically can't be purely 50m distance (when assessing for mobility disorders), or it wouldn't be fit for purpose.

I honestly think you're massively overthining and being ridiculous. Apply for the blue badge. Then you can choose when to use it and when not to. If she's having a good day and is running aroudn the parka nd is totally fine to park in a normal spot, do that. If it's a more difficult day and she's struggling, use the disabled space.

I technically have a minor disability. I don't tend to think of it as such and I don't receive any support for it. But it's completely part of my very normal life to accomodate when I am struggling by choosing different activities at that time or different methods - eg I might drive somewhere that I'd normally walk.

You are being far too pedantic about the 50 metre criteria. It is only one of the criteria and you don't have to meet every single one of them anyway.

You seem (perhaps unintentionally) to imply that blue badge holders are only meant to be able to move 50 metres or less from their vehicle, which simply isn't the case. Those with impaired mobility may well transfer from the car to their mobility aids (roll along walker, crutches, wheelchair, mobility scooter etc.) and can then often get much further. My mother is one of those.

People with prosthetic limbs often have blue badges and do need them. The conditions and mobility can be very variable for them too. I knew one who was an international sports person. On some days they could walk quite some distance and others not as pain could still kick in. They have a blue badge and need it.

Blind people can get blue badges and are not necessarily mobility impaired.

Plenty of people with plenty of different conditions have and need their blue badges. Many of the conditions are not outwardly obviously and may be variable on a day to day basis too.

Apply for the badge. Use it when needed.

Bigger supermarkets usually have scooters and/ or wheelchairs to use in store. So if you can walk as far as the entrance, you're okay to get round the shop. I use them sometimes even though the scooters are massive and awkward, if I'm with someone who struggles to lift my wheelchair out of the car.
And I suppose if the spaces are more than 50m away in a big carpark, they probably shouldn't be.
In your case, if you've used the BB space because your daughter is too disabled to manage the further space, you need to apply for a BB. You risk being fined using one without the badge, not to mention pissing off other disabled people who have no way of knowing that your daughter is actually disabled you just don't want to get a BB.

@Gizmosmum I understand what you are saying. Totally.

I suppose you could say that you are being too literal, but I actually think the problem is trying to find rules that work in such a way that enable people to have a blue badge who needs it but not those who don't. They are just too many variables but having a 50 meter rule gives them something to fall back on if they think somebody is taking the proverbial. Not that they often use it literally..

your daughter is getting older and physically bigger and things like having the blue badge will enable her to do more with her peers and be more independent. I think that is what you have to put at the forefront of your mind.

Also, her care needs. Say for example you had a nanny or childminder they might not have been able to carry her the 300 m to school whereas they would have been able to park in a disabled space near the school and take her in.

oh, she might be able to go with a friends parent somewhere if they can park in a disabled space whereas they wouldn't be able to facilitate taking her if they needed to carry her a distance especially as she gets older when there's not much dignity in there for her either

I will apply (or at least put it on the to admin list). I just don't want to be thought of as taking the piss.

I think because (well duh!) like all kids, she was of an age, when everyone was in a pushchair/being carried, and then they outgrew that need, but she didn't, I'm still in 'small kid' mentality, if that makes sense. She's small for her age, so doesn't use a disability buggy, and others assume she's much younger.

Then I feel selfish because is a BB more for me than her, because I don't want to lug her in my arms to the distant car park or whatever. Maybe I should be stronger or fitter? But actually, most 6yo wouldn't need that, so maybe I should be kind on us all, and remove that burden from us. I will use it when other spaces work fine, but if we are at a NT place where it's BB parking, or regular parking 10 minutes walk up a hill, use it, rather than us pushing her there/carrying her.

I had a temporary one for my DD after she had an operation. The woman who came round to assess our needs took into account the fact that I also had a newborn baby and was really helpful. From my experience, they look at your individual needs rather than only sticking to the criteria listed.

As other people have said, those who can't walk more than 50m will be using a mobility aid to get them further. My daughter is a wheelchair user, so it's more about the space disabled bays offer than the distance to the shops. There's no way of getting her out the car and in her chair in an average sized parking space.

Word of warning: Depending on where you live, getting a BB can be extremely difficult if you don't get the higher mobility component of DLA. It took my daughter over 3 years (and several appeals) to be accepted. It wasn't just paperwork, there was a physical assessment to pass too (had to prove to an assessor she couldn't walk the 50+ metres). Havering council tried to disqualify her once because she was due surgery at some point in the future that might have improved her walking! They literally went out their way (and broke guidelines) not to issue a BB.

She now gets DLA at the higher rate, so the blue badge is automatically oked. Just be aware that it's quite an emotionally tough process if you have a horrible council. Hopefully you are under a nice one!