2 October 2009 Accessibites Xtra: Blue Badge Map updated
Plans on improving the Blue Badge map have been revealed by the Government. The map, which is available online, provides UK-wide travel information for people with disabilities. It currently includes the locations of useful facilities such as taxi ranks, accessible beaches, Blue Badge parking bays, accessible toilets and much more. A description of local council parking rules can also be found.
Created by DirectGov, the Government’s information service, this Internet map has now been updated to include new access information for over 2000 train stations. This information has been organized into three access levels:
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accessible - step-free access to all platforms and staff to help
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partly accessible - step-free access to all platforms but there may not be any staff to help
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inaccessible - steps to some or all platforms
As well as this, information on the accessibility of London Tube stations has been updated.
Tim Cooper is the director of the Office for Disability Issues (which is where Directgov’s disabled people and carers section is based), said:
We want disabled people to have greater control and independence in their lives, including how they spend their leisure time. We hope blue badge holders and their drivers will use the map to plan their travel by road and rail.
There is also access information for over 160 football stadiums throughout the UK.
Former Manchester United and England footballer Danny Wallace, who has a blue badge himself, and is an ambassador for the National Association of Disabled Supporters (NADS), said:
I know first-hand how important blue badge parking is for disabled people and the knack is to know where to find spaces, especially on match day. I was pleased to hear that NADS and Directgov have been working together and sharing their information in this way. The blue badge map is an important service and one that should help disabled fans across the UK.
The map is a useful tool for planning journeys, and it’s great to see it being updated to incorporate more facilities and important access information.
To use the map, visit Direct Gov .
By Jagdeep Kaur Sehmbi
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