playing along with the blue badge scheme...opinions??

[wobble1]

Labelling is usually done by narrow minded bigots, I'm not sure that changing the label to less able or whatever will change a bigots attitude.
I understand that you don't want to be labelled as disabled but I think the attitude of this government and the media are fueling the bigots attitude that ALL disabled people are work shy scroungers, which is far more damning to our equality.
Anyway, good luck with your campaign.

[tinker]

Well I was called a 'Spaz' yesterday by a rather wet holidaymaker who parked his caravan & 4wd over the disabled bays at the supermarket.
I think I prefer Disabled

[pcorcoran]

hi,

thanks again for the replies and opinions on this thread

just an update as i received my new tax disc in the post today and it reminded me that the disc is marked "disabled" so i have sent the following email (with tax disc image attached) to the medical team at the DVLA, ill see what happens....!?



Dear Sir/Madam.

i recently received my new tax disc disabled class for my vehicle XXXX XXX

please see attached image

i appreciate the current system employed by the DVLA marks the disc as disabled class, but this is discriminatory and i would like the DVLA to issue me with a tax disc which does not disclose any private personal and medical information about myself, which when i place the supplied tax disc in my car provides the general public with personal information which i do not wish to disclose

to be clear this is discriminatory and an invasion of my privacy and my medical records

i am registered disabled and therefore entitled to free tax disc but i do not accept the way the disc is marked

it is also my position that it is not my responsibility to suggest an amendment to your system, it is the DVLA's requirement to issue tax discs in a non-discriminatory way which does not highlight any part of society as "other"

the DVLA have my medical information on record and that is sufficient information, my disabled status should not need to be displayed on my tax disc.

i would ask the DVLA to send me an unmarked disc or marked in a manner which does not describe me as an individual or make any reference to my disability or status

the DVLA system needs to be revised as it is currently discriminatory

i look forward to your prompt response

regards paul corcoran

[pcorcoran]

so i spoke to the DVLA today about my complaint regarding the use of "disabled" under the classification of the vehicle on the tax disc.

the conversation went round in circles for a while me claiming in-direct discrimination and questioning the reason and need to write/print disabled on a tax disc and the DVLA saying well thats the way its done etc and that legislation would have to be changed. so i said well why can't all tax discs be barcoded or similar as he pointed out the other free tax discs such as "classic" i pointed out that none of the other classifications described the owner/user of the vehicle, they agreed but basically they said in the end they could not afford to change the system...etc...etc

then i said well why don't you take payment for all tax discs and then refund with evidence (disability,classic car etc) they said the disc would be void, i said well just don't void the disc keep it active and just provide a refund

it was a real computer says no conversation which didn't get too far at a call centre

but why not just have the standard £ figure for the vehicle you own/use and leave it at that, the DVLA would know it was paid for.

don't see any reason whatsoever to place disabled on a tax disc

paul

[kafouser]

Paul. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. You get to park more conveniently than the rest of the world and usually at no cost. If you're disabled enough to need the badge, then people will probably notice as you enter or leave the vehicle. If you don't look disabled, then hopefuly, the wardens are going to need to check. That's what it's for. As in my case, merely walking around is a total floorshow, I've given up caring!

[Lighttouch]

A few facts first . . .

Only 4% of disabled people are wheelchair users

The reason why there are designated accessible parking bays is to allow a disabled person to open the doors wider to allow free entry or exit while using crutches or foldable wheelchair. That's why there's cross hatching areas either side of the bay.

Generally the accessible bays are situated closer to a venue entrance for convenience and it's a shorter distance to walk.

The actual wheelchair symbol is a 'pictogram' that serves to instantly tell people it's a reserved space for a disabled person - it's a universal language.

The terminology 'disabled person' embraces all spectrums of impairments from physical, mental, sensory and hearing loss.

Tax disc - Joe Public doesn't go looking at tax disc data - they aren't interested! It aids Traffic Wardens. Should you ever leave your car in an 'unofficial ' parking spot in error. The police or traffic warden will look at the tax disc. If it says 'disabled' by law they cannot wheelclamp or tow your car away to am impound. Or if they do in error, you'll get a refund or let off.

Be more angry with the people who abuse the system by borrowing grannies blue badge or able bodied people using these bays because they are near the ATM machine.

And remember if people don't like the fact that you're disabled that's their problem not yours - and tell them that!

[paul1234]

A few facts first . . .

Only 4% of disabled people are wheelchair users

The reason why there are designated accessible parking bays is to allow a disabled person to open the doors wider to allow free entry or exit while using crutches or foldable wheelchair. That's why there's cross hatching areas either side of the bay.

Generally the accessible bays are situated closer to a venue entrance for convenience and it's a shorter distance to walk.

The actual wheelchair symbol is a 'pictogram' that serves to instantly tell people it's a reserved space for a disabled person - it's a universal language.

The terminology 'disabled person' embraces all spectrums of impairments from physical, mental, sensory and hearing loss.

Tax disc - Joe Public doesn't go looking at tax disc data - they aren't interested! It aids Traffic Wardens. Should you ever leave your car in an 'unofficial ' parking spot in error. The police or traffic warden will look at the tax disc. If it says 'disabled' by law they cannot wheelclamp or tow your car away to am impound. Or if they do in error, you'll get a refund or let off.

Be more angry with the people who abuse the system by borrowing grannies blue badge or able bodied people using these bays because they are near the ATM machine.

And remember if people don't like the fact that you're disabled that's their problem not yours - and tell them that!

Very good post. Do you know if the clamping/towing criteria also applies to private clampers?

[Lighttouch]

Good question. I don't know the answer. However one thing I do know from experience is that you'll get a parking ticket in the region of £80 and if it isn't paid or appealed against usually after a week - it will double!! But it works - you'll never park in that private spot a second time.

[pcorcoran]

A few facts first . . .

Only 4% of disabled people are wheelchair users

The reason why there are designated accessible parking bays is to allow a disabled person to open the doors wider to allow free entry or exit while using crutches or foldable wheelchair. That's why there's cross hatching areas either side of the bay.

thats fine if you are a wheelchair user there should of course be more space, bays should be marked for that use alone, i agree why should i be allowed to park in a wheelchair space when i don't use one, as my parkinsons progresses then ill probably need one and i look forward to the parking in whatever guise it takes being available.

Generally the accessible bays are situated closer to a venue entrance for convenience and it's a shorter distance to walk.

my complaint and points are not to do with the provision of "disabled" parking they are to do with how it is provided of course i understand the need and in my previous posts i clearly state that

The actual wheelchair symbol is a 'pictogram' that serves to instantly tell people it's a reserved space for a disabled person - it's a universal language.

this is a universal language? well it doesn't describe me or the 96% of non-wheel chair users (your data) e.g. how about the OAP road sign showing 2 older people hunched over sticks that described some old people but not all and was therefore offensive and that is why it is not used, the wheelchair symbol is also no longer used on architectural drawings disabled routes and toilets etc are simply "accessible"

The terminology 'disabled person' embraces all spectrums of impairments from physical, mental, sensory and hearing loss.

Tax disc - Joe Public doesn't go looking at tax disc data - they aren't interested! It aids Traffic Wardens. Should you ever leave your car in an 'unofficial ' parking spot in error. The police or traffic warden will look at the tax disc. If it says 'disabled' by law they cannot wheelclamp or tow your car away to am impound. Or if they do in error, you'll get a refund or let off.

are you seriously suggesting that identifying my property is acceptable that the DVLA cannot use a different system and that traffic enforcement cannot scan your plate or disc to identify your vehicle, my medical information is no buisness of anyone else whether they are interested or not

Be more angry with the people who abuse the system by borrowing grannies blue badge or able bodied people using these bays because they are near the ATM machine.

again a revision of the system should mean that able-bodied are fined/discouraged etc, are you suggesting vigilantism? as per my previous posts it not my responsibility to enforce the scheme and i would imagine with a more complete and advanced scheme which meant borrowing a badge wouldn't work would presumably cut down on abuse, the very fact that someone can borrow a badge should demonstrate the utter ridiculousness of the system all you have to do is chuck a badge in you windscreen and you can park for free!! its as if the state has made it so simplistic that it creates jobs and administration to enforce it, its laughable.

And remember if people don't like the fact that you're disabled that's their problem not yours - and tell them that!

what actually winds me up about all of this is that blanket acceptance of the scheme as it stands by the disabled and beyond that the defence of it as if we should just be humbly grateful, if the scheme can be improved and updated to fall inline with modernity then why not push for it? the systems and legislation in place are indirect discrimination and thats a fact, the issue is, and i have checked this, they are not covered by the equality and human rights act because they are concessions which is terrible, so in effect again because they are free concessions they can be administered as wanted by the state without recourse and we should be grateful

as i have said it is testament to our advanced and inclusive society that we provide for the disabled and ...but that doesn't mean you just accept things as they are if they can be improve they should be, i am not angry i just don't think its right so i am keen to challenge it.

thanks paul

[pcorcoran]

Paul. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. You get to park more conveniently than the rest of the world and usually at no cost. If you're disabled enough to need the badge, then people will probably notice as you enter or leave the vehicle. If you don't look disabled, then hopefuly, the wardens are going to need to check. That's what it's for. As in my case, merely walking around is a total floorshow, I've given up caring!

sorry but again an acceptance of the scheme i just don't understand this....

sometimes i look disabled and sometimes i don't but why should i accept a system which should mean i am or need to be challenged, if the system was advanced enough then i shouldn't need to be challenged at all... my information should be held securely/privately and i should be able to park with anonymity like everyone else in the rest of then world