'I've been rejected for a Blue Badge three times - and it's heartbreaking'
A father, whose son is disabled, has shared the "heartbreaking" process of trying to secure a Blue Badge - despite providing evidence to his local council.
Andrew Moyes, whose son was diagnosed with severe autism, global developmental delay, and hypermobility at the age of three, has been denied assistance from Wirral Council. He says his application has been rejected three times, which has taken a toll on his own mental health.
The frustrated father says he has been forced to send sensitive videos to a "faceless stranger" to substantiate his son's case but still hasn't had any luck. Andrew explained that something as simple as not being able to find a parking space can trigger "quite violent meltdowns" due to the feeling of uncertainty. These meltdowns can result in either the father getting hurt, or his son harming himself.
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His son's severe disabilities can cause him to become fatigued, leaving him unable to walk and sometimes requiring a wheelchair. Other times he refuses to walk the distance to the vehicle, which is why his father believes a Blue Badge would be beneficial.
To help his situation, Andrew applied for a Blue Badge through Wirral Council thinking it would be a straightforward process given his son's diagnosis, EHCP, and attendance at a specialist school. However, his application has been turned down, the reason reportedly being a "lack of evidence of psychological trauma."
However, Andrew has shared several images and videos with the Liverpool Echo that were sent as evidence to staff reviewing Blue Badge applications of different incidents demonstrating the physical harm caused to himself and his son who is clearly distressed. In one video taken after a recent incident while out in public, he said: "It breaks my heart to do this but this is the evidence you supposedly need."
The video was taken after Andrew had to carry his son several hundred metres to their car. According to the Wirral Council's website, those with hidden disabilities are eligible if it causes them "to severely struggle with journeys between a vehicle and their destination, or be a risk of serious harm to themselves or others."
The website also lists a number of behaviours which include experiencing serious harm or causing harm to others, refusing to walk, and experiencing very severe or overwhelming anxiety. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
Andrew said the whole experience has had an impact on him, adding: "Having to send deeply personal information to a faceless organisation has caused a massive amount of upset and distress. It's impacted my mental health. Having a child with additional needs is difficult enough. Even though I wouldn't change him for the world, it's challenging. I have just asked for a little bit of help."
He expressed his frustration, stating: "Having to fight for something so basic to reduce the risk of harm to him and myself, having to fight for that, it's disgusting. I am sure there are families in similar situations. I am sure if he was confined to a wheelchair, this process would be a lot less difficult than it has been."
He added: "To have to fight when the evidence is already there is heartbreaking."
In 2021, Wirral Council announced it would review its Blue Badge policy after data from BBC Shared Data Unit indicated that while 83% of all applications received since August 30, 2019 were approved, only 22% for those with non-visible disabilities were accepted, according to a report by the Echo.
At that time, Councillor Yvonne Nolan commented on the issue: "It is clear from the figures that there is a big difference in the numbers of people with hidden disabilities being granted a Blue Badge in Wirral compared to other authorities and we need to understand why this might be. As such we will be undertaking a review of our processes and how they compare to other councils. I am committed to ensuring that we have an application and assessment process that is fair and accessible for everyone."
In 2019, the Department for Transport (DfT) unveiled new criteria to include hidden disabilities in the Blue Badge scheme. Following a comprehensive review by Wirral Council in 2021, several measures were implemented to enhance the service.
These improvements included collaboration with other local authorities, partnering with Autism Together for staff training, introducing more detailed systems for evidence collection specific to blue badge requirements, streamlining the renewal process, and creating a dedicated role for a blue badge and customer liaison officer. This role is designed to offer assistance and guidance to those needing extra support with applications or wishing to challenge a decision.
A spokesperson for Wirral Council commented: "It's not appropriate to discuss the specifics of an individual case particularly a case in which staff are still engaged with. The Blue Badge Scheme is a national scheme specifically to help people with disabilities, whether physical or hidden. Wirral Council is committed to supporting any applicants who meet the criteria set out in the Department for Transport guidance for issuing a Blue Badge.
"The applicant has to provide information and evidence about their medical conditions in relation to the Blue Badge criteria, which is reviewed by a fully qualified and experienced Occupational Therapist employed by the council. Decisions are made in line with DfT guidance to keep the process fair and consistent for all applicants and there is an appeals process in place for applicants who disagree with a decision."