Royal Mail worker accused of insulting disabled child

[NWpostie]

It has however been abused in the past, how it expanded to include those with non mobility issues, Deaf people don't have it, I cannot see the justification for those with mental issues but have mobility qualifying for it.

That's because you have no idea how "mental issues" can affect mobility.
You should try a little research,knowledge is not something to fear.
Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders tend to spend a great deal of their lives in a state of almost constant panic trying to understand the world they live in,think of the butterflies you feel in your stomach about a new situation like a job interview and then multiply that by 100 and then think about feeling that way 24/7.
Think about added complications like ADHD and OCD.
Now think about making that child walk through a busy and dangerous car park just because you don't understand "mental issues".

I don't claim to have in depth personal knowledge of mental disabilities, thankfully....... I certainly don't wish it on anybody.

I must ask do these people with autism spectrum disorders have a carer with them ? to go outside in a car would be a major challenge never mind parking in the first place as to a child I couldn't see the justification
of having a blue badge as they would be parking in a busy car park anyway with or without a parking permit.

[NWpostie]

Chuckychucks from memory, the blue badge scheme was originally introduced for those with mobility difficulties, Amputees, cerebral palsy, wheelchair users etc, so that they can park near doctors, shops without penalty for a maximum of 3 hours.

It has however been abused in the past, how it expanded to include those with non mobility issues, Deaf people don't have it, I cannot see the justification for those with mental issues but have mobility qualifying for it, all this means there will be less disabled parking spaces for those with mobility issues, it also makes my blood boil when I see people in top of the range 4x4s, BMWs , Mercs park in such spots frequently with a pass, it does look sus, also there similar such people in posh cars parking without a pass hogging the space needed by disabled people.

Just because they have a posh car, doesn't mean they're not entitled to a blue badge... yes, there has been system abuse, but disabled people receive enough abuse from others who don't believe they should be parking in a disabled parking bay without even knowing what their disability is (not that it's any of their business).

It would be the GP that decides if they have a blue badge in which case they would be entitled to it according to local rules, not Joe Public, I still think its not being used by the right people if they are driving top of the range cars, in my experience most disabled are not that rich except for a small proportion that got lucky, most tend to drive medium sized cars that don't so much to run. DLA only goes so far.

The photo blue pass should cut fraud down a lot, like somebody said it should be used if there is a disabled person driving or is a passenger, one of the most popular abuses in some families the disabled person doesn't actually have to drive or is housebound, a family member can use that card for their own convenience and yes I have seen it been done.

[dvbuk55]

Chuckychucks from memory, the blue badge scheme was originally introduced for those with mobility difficulties, Amputees, cerebral palsy, wheelchair users etc, so that they can park near doctors, shops without penalty for a maximum of 3 hours.

It has however been abused in the past, how it expanded to include those with non mobility issues, Deaf people don't have it, I cannot see the justification for those with mental issues but have mobility qualifying for it, all this means there will be less disabled parking spaces for those with mobility issues, it also makes my blood boil when I see people in top of the range 4x4s, BMWs , Mercs park in such spots frequently with a pass, it does look sus, also there similar such people in posh cars parking without a pass hogging the space needed by disabled people.

Just because they have a posh car, doesn't mean they're not entitled to a blue badge... yes, there has been system abuse, but disabled people receive enough abuse from others who don't believe they should be parking in a disabled parking bay without even knowing what their disability is (not that it's any of their business).

It would be the GP that decides if they have a blue badge in which case they would be entitled to it according to local rules, not Joe Public, I still think its not being used by the right people if they are driving top of the range cars, in my experience most disabled are not that rich except for a small proportion that got lucky, most tend to drive medium sized cars that don't so much to run. DLA only goes so far.

The photo blue pass should cut fraud down a lot, like somebody said it should be used if there is a disabled person driving or is a passenger, one of the most popular abuses in some families the disabled person doesn't actually have to drive or is housebound, a family member can use that card for their own convenience and yes I have seen it been done.

Yes me too! My mother was disabled and my sister used to use the blue badge even when my mum was housebound!!!

[TeeferTiger]

Like I said, the new badges have photos on them so can/should only be used if the badge holder is in the vehicle.

And someone can have a blue badge and have a nice car. Not all disabled people are unable to work. It doesn't matter what your social standing is, if you're entitled to a badge, you can have one.

You are judging someone without knowing their circumstances which is what the original story was about!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

It would be the GP that decides if they have a blue badge in which case they would be entitled to it according to local rules, not Joe Public,

With all due respect NWPostie you are commenting on a system of which you appear to have a dearth of knowledge. The GP has no decision making powers in the Blue Badge system at all.

If people don't qualify automatically then the local authority make the decision.

Certain Groups Qualify Automatically: Anyone over two years old automatically qualifies for a Blue Badge if they:
are registered blind
receive a War Pensioner’s Mobility supplement
receive the higher rate of the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance
have received a lump sum benefit from the Armed Forces and Reserve Forces Compensation Scheme (within tariff levels 1-8) and have been certified as having a permanent and substantial disability which causes inability to walk or very considerable difficulty in walking

I still think its not being used by the right people if they are driving top of the range cars, in my experience most disabled are not that rich except for a small proportion that got lucky, most tend to drive medium sized cars that don't so much to run. DLA only goes so far..

You don't get a Blue Badge just because you get DLA (higher), you can also qualify for a Blue Badge and not claim DLA. It is entirely possible that someone who can afford to buy a "Top of the Range Car", refuses to claim DLA for their own reasons. Are we really saying that reverse snobbery is okay, "They are rich and don't claim DLA so they shouldn't have a badge". How about a Life Guards Cavalry Officer (they usually have a private income to be commissioned into the regiment) who gets both legs blown off in Afghanistan, he probably won't claim DLA as he will get various pensions, but he will need the blue badge, and he can certainly afford a top of the range Land Rover.

My family have a large people carrier because its easier to get in an out of with sticks , and its easier to store the wheelchairs. Therefore judging likelihoods of being granted a blue badge based on car size is a bit blinkered as well.

The photo blue pass should cut fraud down a lot, like somebody said it should be used if there is a disabled person driving or is a passenger, one of the most popular abuses in some families the disabled person doesn't actually have to drive or is housebound, a family member can use that card for their own convenience and yes I have seen it been done.

Seen that myself and I think it should be a criminal offence. I have 2 members of my family both have a Blue badge and many times we have had to struggle in normal parking bays when all the blue badge spots are taken and its frustrating, but as I don't know each individual reason for having a blue badge, as long as they have them Legally I am not going to judge who is and who isn't entitled to them, they have been through that process already.

Sorry if I am ranting a little bit but for me you committed 2 sins. You made a judgement based on your own prejudices (people driving top of the range cars ) , and you put people into boxes (if A then they must be B) both of which I feel need to be challenged.

Hope we don't fall out.

[NWpostie]

No worries TBT, I am open to new information.

To get the benefits before the blue badges, they would have to go through a medical assessment ?

Do you think the Blue badge scheme need a little shaking up ? I certainly do the scope of who qualifies is expanding a bit, there is a only a certain amount of disabled bays.

The reasons for my views on "top of the range cars" is people on benefits are not exactly rolling in it., there some exception as mentioned previously such as the Life Guards Officer, you sound as if you know this person in particular.

[Lounge Lizard]

It has however been abused in the past, how it expanded to include those with non mobility issues, Deaf people don't have it, I cannot see the justification for those with mental issues but have mobility qualifying for it.

That's because you have no idea how "mental issues" can affect mobility.
You should try a little research,knowledge is not something to fear.
Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders tend to spend a great deal of their lives in a state of almost constant panic trying to understand the world they live in,think of the butterflies you feel in your stomach about a new situation like a job interview and then multiply that by 100 and then think about feeling that way 24/7.
Think about added complications like ADHD and OCD.
Now think about making that child walk through a busy and dangerous car park just because you don't understand "mental issues".

Indeed. Having an autistic child I know that to be the case, and that being driven in a car can be necessary because bus travel is not a possibility. We are paid a small amount of Disability Living Allowance but no blue badge.
A Royal Mail Spokesperson saying “We provide disabled parking facilities where possible at our operational sites for customers’ use." reminds me that there's no customer parking whatsoever at many Delivery Offices.

[Stormproof]

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Plane+T ... 23.58,,0,0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[andy2007]

No worries TBT, I am open to new information.

To get the benefits before the blue badges, they would have to go through a medical assessment ?

Do you think the Blue badge scheme need a little shaking up ? I certainly do the scope of who qualifies is expanding a bit, there is a only a certain amount of disabled bays.

The reasons for my views on "top of the range cars" is people on benefits are not exactly rolling in it., there some exception as mentioned previously such as the Life Guards Officer, you sound as if you know this person in particular.

Don't forget, that just because someone has mobility problems, that doesn't neccessarily stop them working. There are plenty of people in wheelchairs, who hold down jobs. Yes, even including well paid ones. Therefore, they can, and do buy expensive vehicles.

Also, although there is a limit to the specification of the larger Mobility cars. There are some quite large ones and high spec smaller ones available, including large "crossovers", Wheelchair Accessible converted vans, and even BMW M Sport models. See for yourself: http://www.motability.co.uk/cars-and-wa ... s-of-cars/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[NWpostie]

No worries TBT, I am open to new information.

To get the benefits before the blue badges, they would have to go through a medical assessment ?

Do you think the Blue badge scheme need a little shaking up ? I certainly do the scope of who qualifies is expanding a bit, there is a only a certain amount of disabled bays.

The reasons for my views on "top of the range cars" is people on benefits are not exactly rolling in it., there some exception as mentioned previously such as the Life Guards Officer, you sound as if you know this person in particular.

Don't forget, that just because someone has mobility problems, that doesn't neccessarily stop them working. There are plenty of people in wheelchairs, who hold down jobs. Yes, even including well paid ones. Therefore, they can, and do buy expensive vehicles.

Also, although there is a limit to the specification of the larger Mobility cars. There are some quite large ones and high spec smaller ones available, including large "crossovers", Wheelchair Accessible converted vans, and even BMW M Sport models. See for yourself: http://www.motability.co.uk/cars-and-wa ... s-of-cars/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can even have coupés and roadsters on Motability ! there must have been a demand for that if they are offering it on their website.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No worries TBT, I am open to new information.

To get the benefits before the blue badges, they would have to go through a medical assessment ?

Do you think the Blue badge scheme need a little shaking up ? I certainly do the scope of who qualifies is expanding a bit, there is a only a certain amount of disabled bays.

The reasons for my views on "top of the range cars" is people on benefits are not exactly rolling in it., there some exception as mentioned previously such as the Life Guards Officer, you sound as if you know this person in particular.

Don't forget, that just because someone has mobility problems, that doesn't neccessarily stop them working. There are plenty of people in wheelchairs, who hold down jobs. Yes, even including well paid ones. Therefore, they can, and do buy expensive vehicles.

Also, although there is a limit to the specification of the larger Mobility cars. There are some quite large ones and high spec smaller ones available, including large "crossovers", Wheelchair Accessible converted vans, and even BMW M Sport models. See for yourself: http://www.motability.co.uk/cars-and-wa ... s-of-cars/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can even have coupés and roadsters on Motability ! there must have been a demand for that if they are offering it on their website.

My father, who with me drives a motability car for 2 family members, always gets a brochure. You can basically have any car in the brochure, but anything beyond the most basic model and you have to pay the extra. Perhaps when Gideon gets rid of "universal benefits" then you won't be able to BMWs on DLA.

[Lounge Lizard]

No worries TBT, I am open to new information.

To get the benefits before the blue badges, they would have to go through a medical assessment ?

Do you think the Blue badge scheme need a little shaking up ? I certainly do the scope of who qualifies is expanding a bit, there is a only a certain amount of disabled bays.

The reasons for my views on "top of the range cars" is people on benefits are not exactly rolling in it., there some exception as mentioned previously such as the Life Guards Officer, you sound as if you know this person in particular.

Don't forget, that just because someone has mobility problems, that doesn't neccessarily stop them working. There are plenty of people in wheelchairs, who hold down jobs. Yes, even including well paid ones. Therefore, they can, and do buy expensive vehicles.

Also, although there is a limit to the specification of the larger Mobility cars. There are some quite large ones and high spec smaller ones available, including large "crossovers", Wheelchair Accessible converted vans, and even BMW M Sport models. See for yourself: http://www.motability.co.uk/cars-and-wa ... s-of-cars/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You can even have coupés and roadsters on Motability ! there must have been a demand for that if they are offering it on their website.

My father, who with me drives a motability car for 2 family members, always gets a brochure. You can basically have any car in the brochure, but anything beyond the most basic model and you have to pay the extra. Perhaps when Gideon gets rid of "universal benefits" then you won't be able to BMWs on DLA.

A Vauxhall Combo van ?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

[blackadder]

remember the old blue cars, used to see them at football grounds. the system has been very abused by people who i dont think are disabled. mental problems, having problems walking or in a wheelchair then yep heres your blue badge. i saw 1 cuming out of b&q and then drove a range rover sports, cum on is that fair ?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

remember the old blue cars, used to see them at football grounds.

The inappropriately and not quite PC - InvaCar