Louise Tennuci, one of our volunteers, is leading a project in the bureau to make life easier for those of our citizens who qualify for parking badges.
Louise says
“I have volunteered at the Bureau since January 2012. I am a member of the Research and Campaigns Team which aims to highlight the problems and concerns of our local communities and bring about change.
“I am currently looking into how the Blue Badge Scheme issues Blue Parking Badges to people who require them in Surrey. As a Blue Badge user myself, I find the process of renewing it every 3 years, stressful and unnecessarily drawn out. I propose a new system which will make receiving and applying for a Blue Badge easier for all concerned. I call my idea ‘The Traffic Light System’.”
How the system works
Each Blue Badge Claimant will have a colour-coded file on the scheme’s computer:
RED = LONG TERM DISABILITY
AMBER = SHORT TERM DISABILITY
GREEN = NEW CLAIMANT
My suggestion is that only NEW CLAIMANTS will be required to fill in the full form. Once you have filled in the form, people will be put into the system under either RED OR AMBER. If you come under the RED category, you will only need to provide an up-to-date photograph and your badge will be automatically sent out to you. People under the AMBER category might be asked to attend an assessment.
Things to consider based on survey responses
To date everyone who has responded to the questionnaire has been a Blue Badge user for some time, anything up to 30 years. There are 4 common themes:
Application form
Anything that speeds up the application process is useful for people who have ‘permanent’ disabilities or health problems.
It would be worthwhile looking at the existing Application Form and making it more ‘user friendly’ by streamlining and simplifying. At present, the form can intimidate people. We know of cases where people are entitled to a blue badge but don’t have one because the form is hard to understand and scares genuinely vulnerable people.
Photo ID and use of JPEG
People were most vocal about the photo id rules. They wanted photo ID and sending photo as a JPEG. Another comment was that some people rely on specialist equipment in their everyday lives and this should be represented in photographs: for example, glasses, hearing aids and oxygen tubes.
Grading system
It has also been suggested that a ‘Grading System’ be put in place alongside the ‘Colour Coding’ idea, in order for there to be more knowledge about Blue Badge Users conditions.
Applying online
We really need to highlight the availability of renewing/applying for your blue badge online. For those who have internet access it may be easier, especially when sending a photo, to fill in a simple form on line. It’s difficult to gauge how many people are aware of this.
To comment or respond to Louise’s survey
Email Louise at randc@randbdcab.org.uk