Herts County Council to extend blue badge parking permit to include mental health conditions

Hertfordshire County Council is extending its blue badge parking permit scheme to cover people with invisible disabilities.

About 2.35 million people in the UK have the permits because they have mobility difficulties or are registered blind.

But under new criteria, those with hidden disabilities, including autism and mental health conditions, will also be able to get access to the badges.

Cllr Ralph Sangster, HCC's cabinet member for resources, said: "We hope that by opening up the blue badge scheme it will give those who suffer from non-visible conditions the confidence to get out in their local communities and keep their independence."

Applicants, including those who cannot drive and are passengers, might be eligible for a blue badge if they severely struggle to get from their vehicle to their destination. They would also need to:

• Be a constant risk to themselves or other people in traffic or car parks; or
• Severely struggle to plan or follow a journey; or
• Find it difficult or impossible to control their actions and lack awareness of the impact they could have on others; or
• Regularly has intense and overwhelming responses to situations causing temporary loss of behavioural control, frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces

The new criteria for blue badge applications will come into force from August 30. Find out who is eligible and how to apply.