Woman shouted at me for parking in a disabled spot

[AusMumhere]

I parked in a disabled spot at the supermarket today. A woman about four cars away shouted at me and said 'that's a wheelie spot'. I shouted back 'I have a permit'. She then yelled 'where's ya walker?'. I said 'not all disabilities are visible'. I hate confrontation of any kind.
Should I have walked away or should I have responded? I'm still in shock that I shouted.

There are plenty of times where a badge holder driver or passenger will be in the car whilst a non badge holder goes out, but the badge holder will still need the benefit of the space. Most likely to access a toilet or facilities should the sudden need suddenly arise. Thats using it for their benefit. Hence why it isn’t illegal it’s a vague “not for the benefit of others”

If they may need to use the toilet and have a blue badge to be close to toilets they can. That’s just one example

But staying in the car isn’t misusing a badge for reasons I’ve already explained. Not everyone has the same disability or needs.

You absolutely cannot use someone else’s’ blue badge even if you’re running an errand for them. My neighbour had a blue badge and a motability car and her friend was the designated driver. The friend ran an errand for my neighbour using the car, and unknown to her, parked in a disabled bay on street and displayed the badge. She got back to the car to find a traffic warden waiting for her - a no win situation because the neighbour was at home. Unfortunately it was my neighbour who paid the price. She was prosecuted for misuse and got a hefty fine, the badge was withdrawn and it very nearly cost her the motability car - she was near the end of the lease period but wasn’t allowed to take out another as a result. I think the problem is that a lot of badge holders don’t read the accompanying rules and regulations, and unfortunately they’re there in black and white, so ignorance isn’t an excuse.

Yes it is !! If you display the badge and park in a disabled bay and you are not getting out of the car yourself, then you are allowing whoever is getting out of the car to benefit from a concession personal to you. People who have a motability car who don’t drive themselves usually have a designated driver. That driver is only allowed to use the car for the benefit of the disabled person, When they are running an errand for the disabled person and they are not in the car, they are not allowed to use the badge even though they are using the car. Blue badges are for the use and benefit of disabled people, not whoever else is in or getting out of the car. All of this information is available online. Suggest you look it up.

I’m glad you responded back to her!

Too many people think they’re the disabled parking bay police.

Like I’ve said - a disabled person can park in the case they MAY need to leave the car for example go to the toilet quickly. My son is 8 and so doesn’t stay in the car ever but his badge was among other reasons largely given to access a toilet quickly. If he were an adult he’d need to be near a toilet.

Nobody is gonna park miles away when they don’t have to knowing they may get caught short nor should they

Yes this is an entirely differently situation and not just illegal but shitty behaviour all round

If they have a badge, then what is the issue? They can park there.

No they can't.
The BB holder can only park in a BB space if they are getting in/out of the car. They can't sit there just in case. You will be basically using the BB holder and their badge to take advantage of the space. How would you prove otherwise?

And they may well need to get out of the car as a result of their condition which is why it’s fine to park there. It is not abusing a badge.

We’re talking about a disabled person specifically sitting in the car displaying the badge and parked in a disabled spot, to facilitate someone else getting out of the car and going about their business. That’s misuse of the badge. My own disabled badge was issued partly out of the need to find a toilet quickly because I have a stoma. That entitles me to park in a disabled bay to access a toilet quickly when I need to, not to park there and allow others to benefit from the badge while I sit in the car just in case I need the loo at some point. It’s misuse.

@Rosscameasdoody Agreed. And it says it clearly on the conditions you get with your Blue Badge

No, it is misuse of the badge.

Yes it is. Badges issued in consideration of someone needing to access a loo quickly are not intended so that the person can sit in the car while companions leave the car and go about their business. They’re intended so the disabled person can access a loo quickly as the need arises - not to sit in the car indefinitely just in case they need to go at some point.

I’ve given up now, it’s like banging your head on a brick wall !! It’s clear misuse of the badge. Badges are issued for those who need to access toilets quickly, but they’re intended to be used as and when the need arises or in an emergency, not so you can park up in a disabled bay and sit in the car, just in case the need arises at some point, and certainly not while other people benefit from a disabled space you’re taking up unnecessarily. It’s batshit.

There is something wrong with that woman ignore people like that. When the weird odd comment flies by my ears I turn my back on them mid-speech and don’t respond. They’re obviously nuts, don’t need that in my day!

Yes, you are right. I think PP has been misusing a BB and is talking herself into justifying it.

@JandamiHash

The only time that a BB holder would be permitted to be in a BB holder's parking space 'just in case they needed the toilet', would be if they were either the only person in the car, ie. the driver, or if any non-BB holder people in the car didn't alight the vehicle at any point.

Any other situation is illegal, because it would be a contravention of the T&Cs under which a BB is issued.

That’s like so offensive to talk about somebody in a wheelchair like that

No I use my son’s properly according to his needs. If that means parking in disabled while DH runs into a shop I will because it may mean DS needs the toilet quickly. I’m not going to let him vomit or shit in public and say “Well son I followed the rules according to MN” (and it has been needed more than once)

Unlike you I don’t use other people’s when they’re not there

You use it illegally. You say you are using it to meet his needs. Maybe that is true? But it is still not how you are allowed to use it.

Hard disagree. As long as it’s being used for the badge holders benefit.

You are wrong. Read the conditions that come with the blue badge.

So you are in the car with your DS who needs the BB, whilst your DH goes into the shop? Why do you both need to be out? You can stay home with your DS whilst your DH goes shopping. You are misusing his BB.

I don't use other people's when they are not there. Where on earth did you get that from? I only ever go out in my mum's car, and neither of us have a BB.