Disabled parking permits

Rumy

Recently I have applied for a disabled parking permit and have been turned down as i dodnt meet the criteria. Since and before then I have observed several clients in my area with disabled parking permits who are quite mobile with no problem at all in walking. Someone somewhere are telling lies on their application form and some medical person is signing off on same. Are the DDAI not checking on this fraud or what is going on?

callaway92

Only comment I can give on this is not all disabilities are visible. So while you’re frustrated that you weren’t given a permit, it’s not fair to say that some have no problem at all walking etc..

BronsonTB

For example, My mother can walk but not long distances, she has a genuine permit becasue she has a genuine condition & is genuinely entitled to it.

But to judge her by just looking at her, you might say she doesn't need it, she does!

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121150607#Comment_121150607

They are fairly strict when giving them out. It literally has to be a physical mobility issue so the disability would be visible.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121151079#Comment_121151079

Not necessarily if it is a heart or lung capacity issue that restricts their mobility.

https://www.ddai.ie/parking-permit/who-qualifies

callaway92

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121151079#Comment_121151079

This is just wrong though. Couple of other posters have clarified why.

Rumy

The criteria strictly states severe mobility issues or blindness, so the the reply that there could be some unseen medical issue does not apply,

.

Strumms

Some doctors will sign them off without thought or consideration.

our family GP despite being a pretty young guy will not.. he’s at a guess around the 48 mark but when one family member went to renew his pass the doctor insisted he come in for a full physical exam / consultation…

the condition is bad arthritis. They don’t need a walking aid but….Arthritis is not a curable condition so was a bit of a head scratcher as to why the fûck he wanted to see them. Arthritis can just be symptomatically managed, through medication, exercise and keeping excess weight off….

So if he expected to find his patient doing the foxtrot across the waiting room in a pain free sprightly manner…

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121151079#Comment_121151079

Incorrect. I have a blue badge, as I have a medical condition that affects my mobility, but it's not visible.

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121156367#Comment_121156367

GPs have no say in who is issued a Disability Badge.

All they do is complete a medical assessment form.

It's the DDAI or the IWA who then decide whether a permit is granted, or not.

https://ddai.ie/eligibilitywizard?utm_campaign=eligibilitywizard

The eligibility wizard can help determine how you qualify. I have somewhat advanced MS, poor balance, unreliable mobility in that my legs can suddenly give way, more especially after going on them for any length or over more uneven ground. The doctor does not usually (though may do if the surgery space were right) do a measuring test per se to see precisely how far you can walk, but asks the relevant questions, and determines what underlies the disability, ie, is it something that can be remedied, what is the cause etc. There are precious few disabled spaces in Ireland, so there is quite the restriction on who gets to use them, but that’s another argument.

Strumms

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121156389#Comment_121156389

They have a say.

You must be certified by your GP or medical practitioner that you fall under the relevant criteria.  That is having a say.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121156367#Comment_121156367

If the doctor had not seen your relation before it seems he was just being thorough.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121155932#Comment_121155932

Some severe mobility issues are not immediately apparent to a casual observer.

landlady 2023

I believe they give them out for blind people too (for obvious reasons) and people with autism.

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121156772#Comment_121156772

No, they literally don't.

My GP actually made a point of telling me very specifically when I was submitting my application that he had no control and no say over whether I was issued a permit, or not. His only function, was to fill in the form giving details of my medical conditions.

Your relative also should not have been asked by their GP to do another medical, as this is not a requirement for renewal unless it is specifically requested by either the DDAI, or IWA.

witchgirl26

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121151079#Comment_121151079

My dad had cancer and got a blue badge as he struggled to walk very far at all. To look at him when he was out & about, you wouldn't have immediately thought he needed one. The criteria are really strict & they are hard to get so I wouldn't question people who have gotten them as you don't know their medical issues. And not all physical disabilities are instantly visible.

vectra

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121156836#Comment_121156836

Or maybe some jealous person reported them because they couldn't see any visible disability.

You know those people. 🙄

vectra

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121156563#Comment_121156563

Yes, Disabled parking spaces are very limited, but you can park on the street as normal and display your badge.

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121163011#Comment_121163011

That actually never occurred to me, that someone would do that! Any request for a review of eligibility would still have to come from the DDAI or IWA though, not the GP.

I have been side-eyed before when I park in Disability spaces because I am not wheelchair bound (yet). You get used to it. I just ignore. I do recommend putting one of these on your car though...

There are a variety available from Amazon.co.uk. Might help some people get the message.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121163021#Comment_121163021

Not really much point, can park on the street without a badge 🤷‍♀️

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121162955#Comment_121162955

Yes, when the legs are liable to start giving way after x amount of steps or time, it isn’t always immediately visible to the observer when one gets out of the car.

Ezeoul

I quite like this one!

elperello

It's bad enough for people suffering from a serious condition trying to get on with their life without some stranger judging them.

Often they will have made an effort to get dressed up and leave home. Getting out is good for them.

Have a little understanding. If they have a blue badge just leave it at that.

Big Bag of Chips

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121163185#Comment_121163185

The badge often entitles the user to free parking. My aunt had a badge but did not need the use of a wheelchair. She more often than not would park in a normal space/on the street leaving the specific spaces for those with wheelchairs/mobility aids that needed extra space.

Ezeoul

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121165066#Comment_121165066

Fair play to her. That is a very decent thing to do, and something all badge owners are asked to do, if possible.

ELM327

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121165066#Comment_121165066

We have a blue badge holder in the family that has a life long condition whose impact varies day to day. Some days she would be "normal" to onlookers but other days she cannot maintain verticality at all. She only takes a blue bay if it's needed that day and warranted by the condition.

Genuine cases of people having blue badges are usually inherently aware that there's always someone out there worse off than you and only occupy a blue bay as a last resort.

Ginger83

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121163249#Comment_121163249

There is nothing wrong with people wondering if a blue badge holder is genuine. A lot abuse a family member's permit and there is also an issue with fake or cloned permits. I am a permit holder and wheelchair user.

Ezeoul

I guess its human nature to wonder.

But its another to snap to a judgement like "I can't see anything wrong with them, they must have lied on their application!"

vectra

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121163185#Comment_121163185

Maybe where you live. But where I live we have Traffic wardens and Parking fees.

With the blue badge you don't need to pay the parking fee.

elperello

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121165162#Comment_121165162

No disrespect intended and I agree with you that abusing the permits is wrong.

I was pointing out that judging people's eligibility by their appearance is also wrong.

I'm not a badge holder but a friend is and I have often accompanied them.