Blue disabled badges should be issued now to people with autism who need them, says a charity.
The National Autistic Society (NAS) says councils should use their discretionary powers to give the disabled parking badges to people with autism immediately.
The row over disabled badges rumbles on as the NAS says councils should issue the permits now to those with autism who need them
The Government is introducing legislation to ensure those with hidden disabilities, such as autism, are able to get badges from next year.
Discretionary powers
Some councils already issue disabled badges to those with hidden disabilities by using their discretionary powers.
But other councils are refusing to issue the parking permits to those with autism.
They say this is because the Department for Transport (DfT) has not given them guidance on how to manage applications before the law changes.
The badges allow those who hold them to park closer to their destination, including on double-yellow lines.
People ‘should not have to wait for law change’ over disabled badges
Sarah Lambert is head of policy for the National Autistic Society (NAS). She says people with autism who need a badge should not have to wait for the law change.
She said: “The rule changes the Government recently announced, and their accompanying guidance, won’t come into force until next year.
“But we’d urge councils to use their discretionary powers to start giving blue badges to those autistic people who need one now.”
Talking to the DfT
Lambert said the Government consulted the NAS over the law change. The NAS was now talking to the DfT about how councils are “using their discretionary powers”.
The DfT said it has already provided guidance to councils.
Existing rules say people may be eligible if they are “unable to walk or have very considerable difficulty in walking”.
Each application should be considered on its merits and final decisions rest with councils.
The Local Government Association also said individual councils must decide how to use their powers.
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Published: 20 August 2018
