The Disabled Persons Parking Badge Scheme (also known as the Blue Badge scheme) allows various parking concessions and privileges to people who are disabled.

Concessions include being able to park in disabled bays and on some single and double yellow lines, and fewer restrictions on parking time limits. Badge holders are also exempt from paying the London congestion charge.

The scheme is often referred to as the blue badge scheme as this is the colour of the badge that people display on their windscreens. It replaced the old orange badge scheme which was similar, but wasnt recognised when parking in other European countries - the blue badge scheme is.

It is a national scheme which entitles you to roughly the same provision across the UK (except in a few London boroughs who only partially recognise the scheme).

Our Autism Helpline has compiled the following tips for parents and carers of children with autism (including Asperger syndrome) who are considering applying for a blue badge. This is not a definitive guide to applying for a badge; if you are seeking more specialist advice you might find that a local advice centre, such as your Citizens Advice Bureau, can help. Details of local advice centres will be in your phone book. This information is mainly concerned with applying for a badge for a child, but adults with autism can also apply for blue badges.

Who issues blue badges?

Though it is a national scheme, blue badges are actually issued by local authorities (councils), who also decide on entitlement to the badges. This is usually done by social services departments (social work departments in Scotland), though some local authorities have an accessible transport or parking management team who make the decision.

You can apply for a blue badge by completing an application form, which you get from your local authority. Different local authorities may vary in the way they interpret the eligibility criteria and because of these variations, it is possible that in some areas blue badges are more likely to be granted to children with autism than others.

The criteria for the award of blue badges are laid down in national law. The scheme was introduced in 1971 and the latest regulations were drawn up in The Disabled Persons (Badges for Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2000 though there have been some amendments since this date. You can look at the law in more detail on the Department for Transport's website: www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/bluebadge/legislation/

Who is eligible for a blue badge?

Blue badges can be applied for on behalf of children aged two upwards. Obviously, young children cannot drive themselves so if you're applying on behalf of your child, you'll need to demonstrate that they will be the main beneficiary of the blue badge.

If your child receives the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) then entitlement to a blue badge should be automatic. However, higher rate mobility DLA can be hard to obtain for people with autism as it is primarily concerned with severe physical problems with walking. It is possible, though, to apply for a blue badge if your child receives the lower rate of the mobility component of DLA, or even no DLA mobility award at all.

If your child does not receive the higher rate of the mobility component of DLA then the other qualifying criteria for blue badges can be looked at. Entitlement through these is more subjective and is open to further assessment by your local authority. Some of these criteria relate to a child needing access to a car to carry bulky medical equipment or in case they need urgent medical treatment. However, the criterion that is most often relevant to children with autism is that:

They are unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking because of a permanent and substantial disability.

Although many children with autism may not have a physical disability as such, it can still be possible to apply for a blue badge using this criterion. When looking at a person's eligibility, local authorities use similar guidance to that which the Department for Work and Pensions uses when considering entitlement to the higher rate mobility component of DLA. That is whether one of the following conditions is satisfied:

  • a child cannot take a single step
  • a child is virtually unable to walk. This takes into account the distance, speed, length of time and manner in which a child makes progress on foot
  • the exertion to walk would constitute a danger to life or would be likely to lead to a deterioration in their health. Bear in mind this relates to physical problems only such as serious heart and lung conditions.

Local authorities often interpret all of these criteria as being related to a physical disability. Though more relevant to Social Security Benefit entitlement, it may be worth mentioning that the view held by many professionals is that autism also has a physical cause because it is a disorder of brain development.

You might also mention, with reference to the 'virtually unable to walk' criterion, any refusal episodes your child has had when walking, and point out that the behaviour of children with autism can often be unpredictable.

For example, children with autism may be able to handle an activity such as walking to the shops one day and not be able to do it the next because of factors such as anxiety, fear or stress: they may be scared of dogs and have passed one on the street, or they might become distressed by a particular noise and be unable to continue their journey. If it can be demonstrated that these incidents happen on a frequent basis and are a direct result of their disability then you could argue they satisfy the criterion. You can also state how having a blue badge could help you and your child to reduce the likelihood of these incidents happening, as you can stay in a familiar and 'safe' environment (your car) for longer.

Other factors

It is important to remember that autism is a complex and subtle condition and the impact that it has on a childs life can be hard to predict. You may find that you need to help your local authority to understand how disabling your child's condition is. You can do this by being as clear as possible in your blue badge application about the difficulties that you and your child encounter.

You may find some of the following points in your application help back up your case.

  • Children with autism have difficulties with social interaction and may not always recognise what socially acceptable or safe behaviour is. As a result, they may do things which are dangerous, such as sit down in the middle of a busy road. Having a blue badge may help to reduce these kinds of risks.
  • Your child's road safety skills may not be comparable to other children of his/her age. Would they, for example, walk into busy roads or not use zebra crossings? Can you give a specific example of an occasion where your childs behaviour has put either his/her, or other pedestrians' and road users', safety at risk?
  • If your child feels anxious, they may try to cope with this by doing things like running away. This is a fairly common behaviour for people with autism but can of course be dangerous, doubly so because difficulties with social communication mean that people with autism can be vulnerable when separated from those who know and care for them. Situations which children with autism find stressful can often be those which families are least able to avoid, such as busy supermarkets and crowded streets. Parking close to your destination may help to reduce the time you spend in some of these situations.
  • Do you make a particular journey, for example to school or to the supermarket, where you would benefit from having a blue badge? How do you make this journey now - do two adults need to be with your child so that one can wait with them while the other person finds somewhere to park? If so, how does this impact on your family's routine and how would a blue badge help?
  • Do you use parking meters or park illegally because you have to travel by car and need to park close to your destination? Have you ever received parking tickets because of this?
  • Can your child use public transport if you accompany them? As this is difficult for many children with autism, because of the anxiety and distress that noisy, unfamiliar environments can cause, you could mention this in your application and highlight the importance of being able to use your car when taking your child out and about.
  • Does your child become anxious or distressed if you visit an unfamiliar area? If so, explain how a blue badge would help by allowing you to park close to your destination, reducing the time you have to spend walking when your child may become upset. 
  • Does your child miss out on any social/leisure activities they would normally enjoy because you can't park nearby?

Medical assessments

Your local authority may seek a medical opinion on your childs entitlement to a blue badge. This could include, for example, an assessment by a community physiotherapist or occupational therapist. An assessment by your GP is generally seen as unsatisfactory as they may not have as detailed an understanding of the blue badge scheme as other health professionals. If, however, your child's GP or another health professional can provide you with a supporting letter to back up your argument, it may be well worth having this.

Appeals

There is no centralised appeal scheme if a blue badge is refused (except if a badge is issued but then withdrawn for misuse). However, every local authority should have a process that they follow if you dispute their decision. Often, a senior manager in the team which issues the badges will consider your appeal and gather further information from you and/or relevant health professionals to decide if the decision can be overturned.

Resources

The Government publishes two free leaflets which explain more about the blue badge scheme:

  • Can I get a blue badge? (T/INF/1213)
  • Blue badges: rights and responsibilities (T/INF/1214)


You can order copies using the address or telephone number below and quoting the reference numbers:

The Publications Department
PO Box 236
Wetherby L23 7NB
Tel: 0870 1226 236
Text-phone: 0870 1207 405
Fax: 0870 1226 237

If you are issued with a blue badge, you may find the following website useful. It is an online map produced by The Office for Disability Issues and shows the location of disabled parking bays across the UK: www.direct.gov.uk/bluebadgemap

The following website also has a lot of information on the blue badge scheme: www.mobilise.info

Further reading

Department for Transport (2008). The blue badge scheme: local authority guidance (England). The Stationery Office

Quick link to this page: www.autism.org.uk/12229