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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder why disabled parking should be free

140 replies

Lilaclion · 10/08/2011 19:38

My local council is considering making blue badge holders pay to park which has caused a certain amount of controversy, but personally I don't see why they shouldn't pay to park just like everybody else? The blue badge parking system is there to ensure an ease of access, it has nothing to do with finances.

OP posts:
Ormirian · 10/08/2011 20:15

It's nothing to do with ability to pay. Not everything is means-tested is it?It's because someone who has a disablity can't neccesarily do the things you or any able=bodied person can do without a vehicle. Regardless of whether they can pay for the parking ticket or not. You could choose to walk.

ProfessionallyOffendedGoblin · 10/08/2011 20:15

The son of a friend got a massive insurance payment 14 years ago, car accident left him in a coma and then quadriplegic. He was 19 at the time, the money has been used up and he's only 33. Still quadriplegic though.

unpa1dcar3r · 10/08/2011 20:15

Excellent post Magnificent

Hey I've got an idea; I'll stick my kids in res care, costing around £5k each pw (at least) and then I'll give up the blue badges they have and pay for parking...Yaaaay, that way I'll be paying for parking to please small minded people who object to me getting it free.
Except that of course the tax taken on wages will go up astronomically for every person. Even the small minded ones!
But never mind at least we can all pay for a bit of lousy freaking parking.

FFS get a freaking grip.

I'm getting cross now. Need to go have a Brew and a Biscuit

Cheria · 10/08/2011 20:15

Petty thread. YABU. Why shouldn't it be free? Don't they have enough on their plate without going to the meters and paying and faffing around with a ticket? Give them a break FFS.

HalfTermHero · 10/08/2011 20:16

YABU for all the reasons given by posters above. And why not give someone who is disabled a bit of a fucking break with some free parking? If you truly resent the fact that someone with a physically tough/challenging life is having a tiny bit of help and assistance to make their day that bit easier then you are a fucking pig.

EuphemiaMcGonagall · 10/08/2011 20:17

Beautifully put.

Now can I punch the OP in the gob?

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 10/08/2011 20:18

What cheria said

ProfessionallyOffendedGoblin · 10/08/2011 20:18

Although as I said, I'm sure you have nothing to worry about OP, and your council will charge the disabled for their parking.
So you are fretting over nothing, our society and its values are on your side.
It's those of us on the other side of the gap that should be all hot and bothered.

LetThereBeRock · 10/08/2011 20:19

Here we go again,another 'bash the disabled' thread. It's been what,a whole week since the last thread resenting the many 'privileges' that people with disabilities have.

Yet there's no plethora of threads complaining about the many advantages than those who aren't disabled have,and the many obstacles that those with disabilities face every day. Where's the outrage about the lack of access,the discrimination and the cuts in services if people are so insistent on 'equality'.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 10/08/2011 20:19

And halftermhero, you rock

HidingInTheUndergrowth · 10/08/2011 20:19

I would just like to point out as well that means testing is not an easy option. It is very resource intensive and therefore costs quite a bit to do. Also you have to consider options such as do you means test based on full pay or benefits amount or on disposable income? If you have two people with the same pay but one needs to spend loads on expensive equiptment and care do you take that into account when means testing? You can see that this can be rather complicated and time consuming to check for every Blue Badge applications (and that's not including appeals and such like).

Now I confess I don't know the figures at all but I would hazzard a guess that in the grand scheme of things the amount you would get for charging a proportion of blue badge holders to park would probably not really be worth the effort or cost of means testing every single Blue Badge application.

Also what TheMagnificent said!

herbietea · 10/08/2011 20:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

unpa1dcar3r · 10/08/2011 20:22

DS's buggy was about £1800 and that was a cheap brand, his special food costed us over £40 per week when his sickness was at its worst, his special shoes cost £25 and seem to need changing every 6 weeks and we're having to take out a loan to change our car as his special needs buggy (which is the smallest on the market he could have) doesn't fit in our current car's boot, so we're effectively trapped at home atm. When DS was very ill we were paying over £50 per week in parking charges at the hospital, and when he was admitted into hospital we got overdrawn by about £500 due to petrol costs, buying food, buying extra bits Ds needed.

Yeah but you do get 'free parking' Sleepy so what yer moaning about. Blimey that must save you what? at least £20 per year ya lucky lucky thing you!!!!!
Wink Grin. Bless you, you have your hands full don't you.

Oh my days the ignorance of some people never ceases to amaze me!

Mare11bp · 10/08/2011 20:22

What bubbles said. If their inability to work is disability related, then subject to means testing they should qualify for free parking.

Otherwise, they should not. There are many disabled high earners and I don't see why they shouldn't contribute.

Fiendishlie · 10/08/2011 20:22

as a blue badge holder I'm quite touched by some of the support shown by posters. Thanks

BendyBob · 10/08/2011 20:25

Gawd help usHmm No I think blue badge holders should park for free.

If it makes life a bit easier for someone with a disability/blue badge then then it's a good thing. Isn't a society supposed to care for those who need it most?

SiamoFottuti · 10/08/2011 20:25

well most of us are normal humans, Fiendishlie Wink

OP, you're a twat.

5inthebed · 10/08/2011 20:26

It has nothing to do with the money. People with disabilities sometimes have no option other than to drive and park near to where they want to be.

Some nice opinions on this thread Hmm

EuphemiaMcGonagall · 10/08/2011 20:26

Means testing for Blue Badges is a ridiculous idea! Those of you suggesting that are not just being unreasonable, but stupid!

Just who is it inconveniencing for a rich disabled person to have a Blue Badge?

Fiendishlie · 10/08/2011 20:26

I'm sure it would cost more to means test disabled parking than it would gain. It's about accessibility, not free parking anyway; and (as has been pointed out), it is not always free anyway

Fiendishlie · 10/08/2011 20:27

Mare you're a twat as well

Blu · 10/08/2011 20:28

There are times when it is not possible to take DS on a bus or tube. Were it not for this fact it is possible that we wouldn't run a car at all. We live in London where parking is impossible, and where available, very very expensive. So a day out in town with DS at non walking times means we HAVE to take the car (no Londoner usually takes a car into Central London for a day out - we use public transport). It could cost £20 to park. So, although we are not on the breadline parking could easily be the make or break factor in deciding whether or not DS can enjoy the London Aquarium, or a pantomime or whatever. Why should disability have that kind of effect? Is that equal?

Ask your question another way, OP - just because DS has a year when he cannot walk or use public transport, why should some council profit from charging us sky-high parking charges when we cannot use the public tranmsport which our taxes subsidise?

unpa1dcar3r · 10/08/2011 20:29

What bubbles said. If their inability to work is disability related, then subject to means testing they should qualify for free parking.

Oh so it's only adults who are disabled?
Didn't realise. Hmm so guess I'd better get my two down that job centre pronto. They're quite physically able so should be a doddle. And at least we'll get to park free outside when they have their interviews!!!!
How would that be means tested BTW? Children being disabled I mean.
Would they take into account their £1 pw pocket money do ya think?

ProfessionallyOffendedGoblin · 10/08/2011 20:30

Fiendishlie, I'm not a badge holder, nor are any of my family. My Aspie can walk 15 miles with a pack and frequently does. It just stuns me how unpleasant people can be and how nit-picking about perceived unfairnesses that benefit someone other than themselves.
If the OP's daughter was in a wheelchair, with chronic pain, I wonder if her stance would change?

donteatyourteawithnoknickerson · 10/08/2011 20:31

Our local hospital makes blue badge holders pay.

there are designated spots but they pay like everyone else Hmm

Not sure if I agree or not....