I emailed someone at the local council yesterday to ask if I can applyu for a blue badge. (I'm partially sighted, have very poor depth perception and fall over a lot due to poor co-ordination)

She said it was due to change soon. Has anyone heard of this?

You are entitled to a blue badge if you are registered as a blind person under the National Assistance Act 1948.

The government has announced proposals to reform the provisions relating to entitlement to blue badges. I read about it on BBC Ouch! (the BBC's disability website)but I haven't been able to find details by doing a search of the net. Maybe someone else could find them.

Used a different search engine and found this -
http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/closed/bluebadgereformstrategy/bluebadgeannexc

The main reason for proposals to change the system of awarding Blue Badges was because currently there is no common scheme nationally, each local authority has it's own rules unless the person is in receipt of DLA HRM which automatically qualifies them for a Blur Badge or they are registered blind

Those not in receipt of DLA HRM or registered blind were assessed for eligibility under the local authorities rules.

To change the scheme nationally would require new primary legislation. Until that happens the scheme remains the same.

jima1 wrote:

QUOTE:
The main reason for proposals to change the system of awarding Blue Badges was because currently there is no common scheme nationally, each local authority has it's own rules unless the person is in receipt of DLA HRM which automatically qualifies them for a Blur Badge or they are registered blind

Those not in receipt of DLA HRM or registered blind were assessed for eligibility under the local authorities rules.

To change the scheme nationally would require new primary legislation. Until that happens the scheme remains the same.

Hi,

Just in response to a Private Message I have received, those War Pensioners in receipt of the War Pensioners Mobility Supplement also automatically qualify for a blue badge and will go on automatically qualifying.

Further to this, as the Private Message also enquired, the recent Cross Government Command Paper (Cm7424) para 2.30 issued in July 2008 does state that a scheme will be introduced in England (and subsequently in Scotland and as part of the Blue Badge Reform Strategy in Wales) to allow severely disabled veterans to receive continuous automatic entitlement to receive a Blue Badge without further assessment.

The detail on this is currently rather lacking though albeit the Government's intention is to table this within the next parliamentary session.

My personal view is this will probably apply to those above a certain disability percentage under the War Pension Scheme or receiving a GIP within the topmost tariffs under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme AND are unable to walk or VUTW. The medical assessment carried out by the SPVA medical branch will be the deciding factor as to whether or not a blue badge will be issued, thus no further assessment is required by local authorities etc. Knowing the current medical criteria being used, it will probably still be easier, for those who do not automatically qualify, to obtain a blue badge via a Local Authority Process, rather than through this new scheme. I must stress though, this is only my personal view.

Regards

Pete