disabled badges

[jjallen]

Are UK disabled badges legal in Portugal and Spain?

[logicbob]

I hope this answers your question.

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/ov ... users.html

[rhody]

If it's the blue badge with the UK symbol with the stars around it and the wheelchair symbol then it is valid in all EU countries including Switzerland, Iceland and Norway. In fact, I have used mine in the United States and Canada as well and it is accepted as long as it has the wheelchair symbol on it and is issued by the government. There are probably other reciprocal agreements out there but these I know of for sure.

[jjallen]

Thanks for your replies this helps as I have the mother in law coming to stay at Easter and she can use her badge
On my last visit I was in the chemist along from Sully's and the lady in the chemist said she was going to report a lady for using the disabled bay and walking off for hours in a bar or restaurant I noticed the little green Renault car had a UK disabled badge in the windscreen I was wondering if the parking bays are short term only?
Thanks

[Thurlestone]

Surely if the lady has a visible disabled badge she may park and go wherever she wishes - life is hard enough for people with disabilities without them having to worry about where they park, what they are able to do whilst they are parked and how long they are gone for? Having spent many years working with people who have disabilities we should have nothing but understanding even if you cannot be empathetic.

[Thurlestone]

Furthermore, have you never in your lifetime encountered non visual disabilities? I can assure you that there a lot of disadvantaged people who do not display any outward signs of a disability but for one reason or another need to be in their 'comfort zone' I think you need to have your mind opened up and see how people with disabilities really do struggle to be catered for and have some kind of empathy for what their lives are actually like - have you thought of such things as panic/anxiety attacks to say nothing about trying to find a bar/restaurant which has wheelchair access to the toilet? I rest my case - please leave anyone with a blue badge alone, you know nothing about their personal circumstances. I apologise for the tone of this post but it is a subject very close to my heart.

[jjallen]

I also have family and friends who really need these blue badges, but they would not be able to go out if people use these car spaces to go and drink and maybe even over the limit on a daily basis for hours at a time. I think that's abusing the blue badge and the two small spaces.
I must say that thurlestone your messages are sounding more like my friend spook with every message.

[Mike Banks]

Whilst I have every sympathy with people who are in some way disabled (my mother-in-law and several friends have blue badges), it should be noted that even the blue badge concession normally has a time restriction, and maybe that was the problem with the person who parked outside the pharmacy.

[pato]

Furthermore, have you never in your lifetime encountered non visual disabilities? I can assure you that there a lot of disadvantaged people who do not display any outward signs of a disability but for one reason or another need to be in their 'comfort zone' I think you need to have your mind opened up and see how people with disabilities really do struggle to be catered for and have some kind of empathy for what their lives are actually like - have you thought of such things as panic/anxiety attacks to say nothing about trying to find a bar/restaurant which has wheelchair access to the toilet? I rest my case - please leave anyone with a blue badge alone, you know nothing about their personal circumstances. I apologise for the tone of this post but it is a subject very close to my heart.

I was behind a car today which had a sign in the rear window saying some disabilities are not visible, I suppose that accounted for the dents in their car.