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

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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?

Please don't compare parent and child spaces with blue badge spaces as they in no way comparable @nowayhose

Do you have any idea how difficult it can be to get a blue badge pulp? 3 years it took to get one for my child when it easy obvious to anyone with half a brain that 1 was needed. Should we just not have left the house for 3 years? Lots of people are in this situation are you seriously suggesting they remain isolated when they can use PC soaces which by tne way ANYBODY can use because they are not legally protected.

Blue badge trumps everything really.

However, some people in life are inconsiderate and selfish (as shown by how many people in life seem to think that because p&c bays aren't legally required then they shall park where they like).

Holding a blue badge doesn't prevent someone parking in a way that is inconsiderate and selfish.

So for the OP, they may well have a reason why they parked in parent and child bays, they may also be the type of person who show almost zero consideration for anyone else. None of us can tell.

I agree lolasmiles. Tne only reason I keep saying PC soaces arnt legally required and anyone can park in them is because some posters are insisting even tne elderly, infirm and disabled without blue badges should never use them which is of course completely ridiculous.

How can someone with a bb badge 'just manage with an ordinary space?'

Not what I said - I said if you can't get a bb then you should just manage with a normal space - not decide you're going to use a space which isn't designated to you.

Do you have any idea how difficult it can be to get a blue badge pulp?

Yes I have one. Because my ds actually needs it, it was very easy. I sent of a form and medical evidence and was sent a bb. All the parents I know through sn groups also have them and had no issue getting them.

Well I guess you are just lucky then. Not every council hands them out so willingly.

Maybe they should start introducing elderly infirm and fat spaces too.
Hey we can all get weighed and have a fitness test before we park

“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”

Projection.

They parked where they parked. They have a BB. Mind your own business and don’t judge.

Pulp considering g you have a child with a disability I find your attitude absolutely shocking. So the elderly and those with disabilitys who don't currently have a blue badge should just continue to struggle in your eyes? Even tho PC soaces would change their considerably for tne better. Your attitude is discusting esp for someone who should be aware considering your situation.

Pulp thankfully tho those groups can use the PC spaces. Just because you think they shouldn't dosent mean they carnt. Thank the lord.

"It's not about needing the space more. The shop put them there for parents with young kids that's their choice and so thats who they are for."

No the shop's obligation to make reasonable adjustments for all of it's disabled customers (not just blue badge holders) comes first.
They are not obliged to have any wider spaces other than those for bb holders but if they have them it would be generally considered unreasonable and failing in their duty to make reasonable adjustments to not allow people with disabilities who would benefit from using them, to use them.

@ T0tallyFuckedUpFamily

(Appropriate name btw :) )

I am saying that I would not use a parking space that has been clearly marked for either BB or P & C unless I was entitled to. I do not agree that anyone who is entitled under one of those criteria can 'mix and match' parking bays as they please.

For some reason the very basic level of manners and fairness is totally disregarded when it comes to parking ! I honestly don't get it !

I have no issue at all with BB holders of parents of young children/ disabled children. But I DON'T agree that they need to resort to playing some weird version of 'top trumps' to try to validate their 'needs' as being more important !

These specified bays are there to provide suitable parking for those who need it, and ONLY those who qualify FOR THAT PARTICULAR BAY ( be it BB or P&C), should be parking there !

If you start all the 'my need is greater than yours' crap then surely that should be carried on in the shops etc i.e 'I'm a BB holder, so I HAVE TO GET SERVED FIRST ! or MY BABY IS CRYING, SO I NEED TO GET SERVED FIRST ! What a shit show it would be :(

When have we all gotten so selfish that we cannot wait for an APPROPRIATE parking space ?? Instead of demanding others have to make way as they see their own needs as more important ?

EVERYONE who needs to use the BB and the P&C spaces has additional needs, and in my view, neither is more important than the other.

And, just for the record, I AM DISABLED and I have a DISABLED DD (not a physical disability). But I do NOT think that MY NEEDS or MY DD's NEEDS are more important than anyone else's !! FFS !

BASIC POLITENESS AND HUMAN DECENCY HAS BLOODY VANISHED :( Thank everything holy that it has not (yet) extended from the car park to the shops.

@ x2boys

YES, they bloody well are !! BOTH are designated spaces reserved for A PARTICULAR USER GROUP WITH EXTRA NEEDS.

It's NOT a competition !

One is a legal requirement and the other is a courtesy so no they are not

Ffs third world problem OP

The duty of reasonable adjustment only applies to people with disabilities not parents.

Manners and politeness sure has vanishe'd esp when you have posters saying people with disabilities and the elderly shouldn't use PC spaces to make their lives more bearable. Ho hum. What are all those people with disabilities who are currently fighting for blue badges do? But that's ok so long as you have your blue badge you don't have to think about those people.

Well nowayhose Just because your disability or your child’s disability does not affect whether or not you can drive around a car park waiting for a disability spot to become free, doesn’t make it so for others with disabilities. When I took my terminally ill husband out, he couldn’t sit in the car for long without pain and my daughter can’t cope for too long, due to her range of issues, so I will use the p&c spaces if there is no disability spaces free. You can go on being a martyr for those who have children by choice and I’ll support those who have disabilities through no choice of their own.

And parents with children don't have additional needs, they have children.

@nowayhose I completely agree with you. Whether someone feels they need a p&c space more is irrelevant, it's not for them. It's for parents with kids. Got a problem with it take it up with the shop.

My dh had an issue with his leg on and off for 4 years. We checked and he wasn't really eligible for a bb. We probably could have got one if we pushed it. But we just made do and managed instead, either dropping him at the entrance and me parking or waiting for a close end space.

Fact is some people just make do and get on with it - other people feel they should take what isn't theirs because they have judged themselves more worthy.

Funnily enough I have checked it with various shoparts and shopping centres. People with disabilities and those waiting for blue badges plus tne elderly are legally entitled to use PC soaces as a courtesy in tne same way parents are. So there you have it.

It's for parents with kids. Got a problem with it take it up with the shop.

It’s the businesses that permit blue badge owners to park in p&c spaces, because they recognise that those with disabilities have a greater need, whereas P&C spaces are just a convenience.

Got a problem with it take it up with the shop.

@ T0tallyFuckedUpFamily

Instead of taking on board what I said, you choose to try and 'top trump' me !

You are simply trying to 'justify' why YOUR needs are more important than mine ! You know precisely zero about my or my DC conditions or needs, and yet you are CERTAIN that by some divine 'right' YOU are more important ! Geeze !

My point, which you are trying SO hard to negate, has nothing to do with who has more needs, and simple manners and politeness.
We all have needs, and no, yours are not always more important than everyone else's !

Other people have problems in life that are every bit as important as yours, and as for the stupidity of a statement like @ my2bundles 's that ''parents with children don't have additional needs'' defies all logic ! What about the ones with home oxygen ? Or the mothers with infected cesarean wounds, or with split pelvises or the multitude of other complications they may have ? To say nothing about the actual physics of trying to get a car seat out with a baby in a 'normal' sized space or the necessity of putting up a buggy behind the car where there is a chance of it being hit by passing cars because a 'normal' space isn't big enough ? Or mums pregnant with twins who cannot physically get out of their car if the door won't open fully ?

Just because we're disabled it DOES NOT MAKE US MORE IMPORTANT ! And just because people choose to have children does NOT mean they don't have equal needs !

How do we know that all you 'disabilities' aren't due to poor diet, smoking, being obese etc ?? You may well have 'chosen' to get disabilities via YOUR life choices ! It doesn't really matter though , because YOUR NEEDS DO NOT TRUMP ANYONE ELSE'S !

There's entitled CF's and then there's you !

We checked and he wasn't really eligible for a bb. We probably could have got one if we pushed it.

Nope. He wasn’t considered eligible because he didn’t actually need it.

There's entitled CF's and then there's you

Yes dear, whatever you say. Now away and have a cup of tea and calm down.