MobilityNewsParalympic Gold medallist Lee Pearson urges fellow Blue Badge holders to play their part in upholding new code Paralympic Gold medallist Lee Pearson urges fellow Blue Badge holders to play their part in upholding new code
21/11/2008
Following the announcement of the toughest crackdown on Blue Badge abuse in the scheme's history, gold medallist equestrian Lee Pearson is helping the government to promote ‘Badgeholder Best Practice’ to ensure the scheme remains effective in the 21st century.
The overhaul was announced after a Department for Transport consultation revealed that the scheme is open to abuse, where Blue Badges are used by friends or relatives, and parking spaces are taken up by those with no right to them.
Blue Badge holders are also being encouraged to help the scheme run smoothly by getting clued up on using their Badge responsibly. This includes informing their local authority if their circumstances change and not lending a Badge to others: which then deprives a disabled person of a vital parking space.
Lee Pearson (MBE, OBE) has experienced first-hand the inconvenience that Blue Badge misuse causes and is encouraging everyone to “pause before you park”. He says:
"Life would be a lot more difficult without my Blue Badge. It means I can travel independently and get on with my daily life. Borrowing or misusing a Blue Badge isn't just an inconvenience, but can stop Badge holders like me from living our lives. Ultimately misuse is a serious offence, but it's also totally unfair.
“As Blue Badge holders we also have a part to play by not lending our badges to friends or relatives. I urge everyone to respect Blue Badges and not to take away their benefits from those who really rely on them.”
The Blue Badge scheme, introduced 37 years ago, is used by approximately 2.3 million disabled people in England and aims to promote mobility and improve the lives of severely disabled people. As a result of planned changes to the scheme more members of the public will become eligible for a Badge, including severely disabled armed forces personnel and veterans, young children with certain disabilities and people with temporary mobility problems or severe mental impairments.
Blue Badge holders can find out more about the recent changes, their rights and responsibilities and further information by visiting the website linked below.