The Department for Transport announcing that the Blue Badge Scheme will now be open to people like me with hidden disabilities is a very important step forward.
I’m often challenged for using accessible amenities, like seats on trains.
If people can’t see a disability then they don’t think it’s there, or they don’t believe the severity of your disability is what you say it is.
When you have a hidden disability you have to work harder to show you have something wrong with you.
It shouldn’t be like that.
The change to the Blue Badge Scheme is positive.
People with hidden disabilities need accessible parking.
I only apply for a Blue Badge because I need it – I need adaptations to drive my car and sometimes I can’t travel on my own.
It’s important to remember not to judge a book by its cover and that some people have disabilities that aren’t always visible.
The new scheme recognises that.
Jordan Smith, Health Equalities Lead at Dimensions, Reading
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