A Blue Badge entitles the holder to use parking spaces designated for people with disabilities. Many brain injury survivors are left with debilitating fatigue, difficulties processing information, memory problems and other challenges which can make everyday activities like shopping or using health services very difficult.
Peter McCabe, Headway’s Chief Executive, said: “People with hidden disabilities need support in many different ways and, for some of them, being able to use a Blue Badge will make a significant improvement to their lives.
“We are very pleased that changes have been put in place to enable brain injury survivors to apply for Blue Badges.”
The change in legislation follows a consultation by the Department of Transport. Headway was one of many organisations who pushed for the change to include people with hidden disabilities in the scheme.
The decision to widen the criteria for a blue badge has attracted some criticism, with concern that there is already pressure on the number of disabled parking spaces available. Mr McCabe added: “If you are having difficulty finding a disabled parking space when you need one, I urge you to contact your local council to make them aware of the problem and to ask for more spaces to be put in place, where you need them. “
Applications for Blue Badges are processed by local councils, with the badges usually needing to be renewed every three years. To find out more, visit https://www.gov.uk/get-blue-badge
People with hidden disabilities can already apply for a Blue Badge in Scotland and Wales.
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