Further changes to eligibility for the Disabled Parking (Blue Badge) scheme are under review and the public are being asked to comment on them. Today 17th April is the last day to send in your response. They will have a big impact on children wearing hip spicas and other types of bulky medical equipment such as frames. You can download STEPS response on the colomn on the right.

Summary of responses to the consultation paper on changes to the Blue Badge Scheme. Consultation dates, 27 March 2007 to 19 June 2007.

To read the summary click here . This webpage includes the details of the new regulations regarding children in hip spica casts. 

The Department of Transport's (DofT) Comprehensive Blue Badge Reform Strategy
Due for publication spring 2008
Consultation running from 24 Jan - 17 Apr 2008

Further changes to the eligibility criteria of the Disabled Parking (Blue Badge) scheme are under review and the public are being asked to comment on them. They will have a big impact on children wearing hip spicas and other types of bulky medical equipment such as frames. However there are still a lot of issues because often it is difficult to know how long a child will be needing treatment.
We again are working with our Forum members to make sure your views and experiences are properly represented in the consultation. Helen Grindrod (Hellie on the Forum) along with Kelli-Ann Rushton began the Blue Badge Campaign in 2007. You can contact Helen via the forum (you will have to be a member), she is knowledgeable about all the issues.
What you can do.

• Tell us your stories - have you received a Blue Badge or are you having difficulties?
• Respond to the consultation yourself - let us know if you've done this and send a copy to us if you can.
• Let us know if you would be willing to tell your story to the press.

To read the details go to the Department of Transport's website:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/bluebadgereformstrategy/

However to make it easier we have summarised the proposals as they affect children with mobility problems or require bulky medical equipment.

The current situation:
Blue badges can be awarded to three groups of people:
1. people who
a. are over two years old
b. have 'a severe and permanent inability to walk for a period of at least three years
2. people who
a. are over two years old
b. receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance (even if this is for less than 3 years)

BUT you cannot claim for mobility needs until your child is age 3. The rule is that 'you can claim for mobility needs from age three, if your child is unable, or virtually unable, to walk'
3. parents of a child who
a. is less than two years old
b. has a specific medical condition which means that they must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment (including a hip spica)

The Proposals are to:
1. adjust the badge issue period so that specific individuals with the most severe mobility problems may still be able to qualify for a badge in certain circumstances if the disability lasts for less than 3 years
2. adjust the eligibility criteria so that there are two main eligibility groups, one for people under the age of 3 and another for those aged 3 and over
by:

1. raising the age that a child can qualify for a badge due to dependence on bulky medical equipment or the need for emergency medical treatment to up to 3
2. raising the age for standard assessed eligibility criteria to 3 or over
3. reducing the minimum badge issue period for people awarded a badge through assessed eligibility criteria to 12 or 18 months to enable people with disabilities that last less than 3 years to qualify for the scheme .

So the rules will become:
A person will qualify for a blue badge if they:
1. Are less than 3 years old and must always be accompanied by bulky medical equipment
2. Are 3 years or over and receive the Higher Rate of the Mobility Component of the Disability Living Allowance
3. Are 3 years or over and have a permanent and sustainable disability which means that they cannot walk, or which makes walking very difficult for a period of at least 12 or 18 months

The easiest way to respond is on the DfT form. You can download the form here or go to the DfT website for the full consultation documents.

The key points regarding hip plasters are:

Hip spicas should be classified as "bulky medical equipment" as they are:

• A rigid non removable restraining device which is an integral part of the treatment for hip conditions.
• A hip spica is a Plaster of Paris or Fibreglass cast which encases the body from below the nipple line, over the stomach and hips, down both legs to at least the knees and sometimes encasing both feet as well.
• There are thee basic shapes of plaster (see illustrations appendix A):
• Frog
• "A" shape
• "Hurdling" shape
• All these shapes may have a wooden pole between the legs.
• They are bulky and heavy and impede mobility - not only for walking but for getting in and out of seating as they do not allow the child to bend around the waist or hips.
• They change the normal body profile of the child into extreme positions.
• Transportation by car can be particularly difficult, not only is it difficult to fit the child in conventional car safety equipment, to actually place the child in the car requires an open area around the car because the doors have to be fully open for accessibility. This means that many conventional car parking spaces for a child travelling by car in a hip spica are not suitable making it impossible for a child to travel by car. (see illustrations appendix A)
• Transportation in normal buggies is very difficult as the position of the legs means that they are protruding outside the profile of the buggy which means they are more likely to be knocked and cannot be protected in wet weather. (see illustrations appendix A)
• For a few weeks after a hip spica has been removed the bones can be at risk of fracture. Twisting movements or gentle knocks can result in a fracture, so extra care must be taken when transporting children at this stage.

You may use this information in your response, but try to personalise it with your own experiences.

Please send consultation responses on the form provided

by post to:
Ella Roberts
The Accessibility and Equalities Unit
Department for Transport
Great Minster House
76 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DR
Tel: 020 7944 4780

or by e-mail to: bluebadgeconsultation@dft.gsi.gov.uk