People using blue badges in parent spaces, when disabled spaces are free!

[Pop2017]

Hi all, I don’t want to start a debate. If all disabled spaces are taken I have absolutely no problem with somebody with a blue badge using a parent parking bay. They are in greater need but yesterday in the supermarket, the majority of disabled spaces were free. Only 2 were taken yet someone with a blue badge parked in the parent spaces. I’ve seen this happen in the same place a few times.

The disabled and parent spaces are opposite each other with a path in the middle and pretty much equally as close to the shop so no difference there.

Both my children have autism, we don’t have a blue badge so I kinda rely on the parent spaces to get my kids in and out safely and close to the shop as my son is prone to bolting off.

Aibu to be annoyed?

Like I said I wouldn’t bat an eyelid if the disabled spaces were free but they pulled in to a parent space rather than a disabled?

There are so many signs, symbols and restricted spaces at our Sainsburys

That sounds like a car park we use, if you don't have a blue badge or a child there are very few spaces available!

Actually, at a big retail park here, many of the disabled spaces are in a row at right angles to the supermarket; whereas there is a big row of parent child spaces along the front of the supermarket. Somebody parking at the far end of the disabled spaces could have to walk way further than those in the parent child spaces in front.

Ds 14 has a BB but we use a p and c space if it is a better position eg quieter and further from lots of traffic because he is less likely to get distressed and it is safer if he does get distressed.

If you think your children may be eligible then apply for one.

I both were free and both were at equal distance to the shop then yes it is kind of a dick move to use the PC when they could have used the BB.

Bottom line is that a disabled person is not going to park in one space when there is another more suitable to there needs. So if they are parking in a different place it's because that space is in some way easier for them and as such you'd have to be a complete knob to object to it.

Absolutely fine to park in a parent space @MontStMichel because you have a 21 month old with you....... that’s not the point I’m trying to get at. They didn’t have any children.

It's not always about distance. Other factors come into it as well.

Why would you not apply for a bb, if you feel your child could get one. What does it matter if you are judged by some random or other on account of how your child looks. I never understand when people say things like this.

I just found it funny how they could have parked closer in a virtually empty row of disabled spaces. They would have to drive past the disabled spaces to get out the car park anyway. It’s a one way system 🤣

Having children isn’t a disability in itself though. So as much as you’re annoyed about it, P&C spaces are just courtesy. If someone prefers to use them with a blue badge then that is absolutely fine.

If your children are eligible for badges get them.

I don't understand why you don't apply for a badge for your child if it would make them safer.

We don’t have a blue badge as I would feel like we would be judged as to the outside my two Dc look ordinary but my eldest has no sense of danger, runs off, will bolt if he hears a noise he doesn’t like. It’s so hard.

If feeling judged is the only reason you don't have a blue badge, it can't be all that important to you can it?

It's a pointless thing to get annoyed about. A blue badge enables them to park in the P&C spaces if they wish - for whatever reason that may be. Confronting them about it will only make you look like a dick.

Apply for a blue badge for your kids if you think you'd be entitled to one.

In terms of the BB OP - DS2 has one, as I was also worried over comments we have a sticker in the back window that says not all disabilities are visible. Haven't been shouted at yet (my DSis and I had a bet on how quickly we would!)

That sounds like a car park we use, if you don't have a blue badge or a child there are very few spaces available!

No, they got round that by making the car park MASSIVE. In fact I think so big it’s joined to the next town. Total bummer if you’re halfway across an realise you’ve forgotten your bags for life. On the return journey it’d be super-handy to have a glucose drip on your trolley.

It is definitely not always about distance and I find this is something the non-disabled always assume.

I do not need a parking space closest to the door if I am using my powerchair.

What I DO need however, is a parking space not on a corner, ideally with room to get my ramps out, which mean my already long vehicle takes up another 8/9feet (six foot ramp plus room for the chair to come off and turn).

If I have to unload into the road, then I want to be visible for as long as possible to oncoming traffic, hence no corners.

Ideally I'd rather not unload into the road, however reverse parking means unloading into the space behind which might be gone when I return (so do I take TWO spaces and be castigated for that?) or trying to unload onto pavement which in most cases at supermarkets/retail parks, has bollards to prevent ram raiders which also block my ramps..

Some spaces do not have hatch marks both sides, as my driver is also disabled and needs room, plus we need to get the chair down the side of the car regardless of which chair it is I am using, that can pose a problem.

If I am far away from the front door, I could do with there being a walkaway because drivers in carparks are barely able to spot pedestrians (who all appear to dash about oblivious to traffic because its not a real road), and are DEFINITELY not looking for someone at seated height in a wheelchair, so I'd rather not play with the traffic.

So next time you see what looks like stupid, unusual, twattish parking, like us the other day, sideways across THREE disabled spaces, to load without blocking the road of a multistorey carpark... there MIGHT be reasons you are totally unaware of.

Or the person might just be a dick. Who knows. Not you.

At the end of the day they have a blue badge, and that trumps everything.

I'm a blue badge holder and I can safely say, it doesn't trump everything.

Thank you all

I never confront them about it.
I’m not the type. Im just asking for opinions now.

I am scared to get a blue badge as I read so much online about people with hidden disabilities being approached by other people when using disabled spaces.

I even got it from my grandmother. She has a blue badge. When I was visiting a while ago it came on the news that it would be easier with those with hidden disabilities such as autism to get a blue badge she turned her nose up and told us not to get one as it isn’t fair on those not able bodied.

I am scared to get a blue badge as I read so much online about people with hidden disabilities being approached by other people when using disabled spaces.

So you're happy to put your kid's safety at risk?

Just to add. As said before I am totally for blue badges and their correct use. If disabled spaces are full I have absolutely no problem with people
Using parent and child spaces. It’s just they could have parked closer in a disabled bay. It’s a small supermarket with a small car park too so very few normal bays so we struggled to park. But the blue badge spaces were empty 😊

As a disabled person with a blue badge I will park in whatever space is optimal for me. If that is a p&c space, so be it.

I won't do that and won't park
In p&c spaces, it just doesn't sit right with me.

Pop2017 “ We don’t have a blue badge as I would feel like we would be judged as to the outside my two Dc look ordinary but my eldest has no sense of danger, runs off, will bolt if he hears a noise he doesn’t like. It’s so hard. “

You’re perpetrating negative judgement about disability! You’re buying into the “judgement” bollocks!

Get yourselves a badge and shush moaning!

I don’t think you can be a martyr about this if your children would be entitled to a blue badge and you refuse to get one. Especially as you’re not getting one for fear of being judged whilst judging these people out the wazoo

@WorraLiberty no of course not. We rely on parent and child spaces. My children are still young anyway.

9 times out often we visit places early in the morning when it’s quiet but sometimes it’s unavoidable to go at busier times!

@WorraLiberty no of course not. We rely on parent and child spaces. My children are still young anyway.

9 times out often we visit places early in the morning when it’s quiet but sometimes it’s unavoidable to go at busier times!

No every car park has P&C child spaces and anyway, what about parking on high streets outside shops?

If you don't want to protect your kids by getting a blue badge because you're afraid of being judged by a few strangers, you're just going to have to put up with it.