The Blue Badge (Disabled Persons) Parking Scheme is a national scheme – administered by local authorities – that allows disabled people in England to maintain their independence by enabling them to park as close as possible to their destination. A badge can be awarded to any individual who has an enduring and substantial disability which causes them to:
- Be unable to walk;
- Experience very considerable difficulty whilst walking, which may include very considerable psychological distress, and / or;
- Be at risk of serious harm when walking; or pose, when walking, a risk of serious harm to any other person.
The term ‘enduring’ is defined as any disability that is not expected to improve within the next 3 years (the life of a Blue Badge) to an extent that would mean the individual no longer qualifies as based on the criteria above. When considering an individual's eligibility for a Blue Badge, local authorities in England holistically consider the impact that both physical and ‘non-physical’ disabilities have upon an individual when they are walking during the course of a journey.
In all cases, to award a badge, local authorities must be able to satisfy themselves that a badge would enable the applicant to undertake a journey that would not have otherwise been possible, or only possible with very considerable difficulty. A local authority should only award a badge if they are satisfied that the individual meets the Scheme criteria.
Why have you received this request?
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council need to obtain additional information in relation to a Blue Badge application they have received from an applicant who has identified you as a health or social care professional who is involved in their care.
In completing their application form, the applicant has granted Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council permission to request supporting evidence, including medical evidence that will inform the local authority's ability to determine their eligibility for a Blue Badge. They have identified you as one of the health/social care professionals involved in their diagnosis, care or ongoing treatment. Your insights into the individual's experience of any disabilities or conditions they have been diagnosed with, or which are in the process of being diagnosed, will help the local authority to determine their eligibility to receive a Blue Badge.
We therefore request that you kindly complete this form honestly and based upon your professional involvement with the applicant. Your responses will be reviewed by the local authority in conjunction with information from other sources to inform their decision-making.
If you have any questions about this form form, please contact Rotherham Council Blue Car Badge Service at CSC-BlueCarBadge@rotherham.gov.uk.
