Edith Disley, 74, a Trafford pensioner diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2008, has spoken out about her ordeal waiting months for a Blue Badge. She applied to Trafford Council in August 2023 after her mobility deteriorated, but despite being told she would receive a decision in six weeks, she had to wait six months for an assessment.
"I applied in August and was told I’d hear back within six weeks," she said. "Six weeks later, I was told I needed an assessment, but I then had to wait until February for an appointment. By the time I finally had the assessment, I’d already been waiting for months."
Assessment focused on pain, not mobility challenges
Disley said the assessment failed to reflect the reality of living with Parkinson’s and focused too heavily on pain rather than the wider mobility challenges caused by the condition. "The assessor seemed very focused on pain, but a lot of the mobility problems caused by Parkinson’s aren’t about pain at all," she explained. "They’re about not being able to move, freezing, and having difficulty walking. I didn’t feel there was much understanding of Parkinson’s or how it affects mobility."
A few weeks later, her application was turned down with little explanation. She was eventually granted a Blue Badge following an appeal and support from her local councillor.
Impact on independence
"Walking was becoming harder and harder, and getting out and about was much more difficult without a Blue Badge," Disley said. "Parking close to where I needed to go and having enough space to get in and out of the car makes a huge difference. I found myself thinking twice about simple trips because of the difficulties involved."
She said having a badge has made a huge difference to her independence. "Having a Blue Badge gives me a sense of security and freedom," she said. "It means I can shop independently, visit people, attend activities and continue supporting my local Parkinson’s group. It has made a real difference to my day-to-day life."
Council response and improvements
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said: "Trafford Council would like to apologise to Mrs Disley for the problems she experienced with her Blue Badge application in 2023. In 2024, significant improvements were made to the process when the Council introduced a new system which utilises the national application form. These improvements were supported by the Council's Health Scrutiny committee which met to discuss them during 2023 and 2024. Additionally, officers at the Council have engaged closely with the Parkinson's UK charity to get a clearer understanding of the condition. All decisions regarding Blue Badges are made in line with the Department for Transport's guidance."
Parkinson's UK calls for consistent scheme
Edith's experience is highlighted by Parkinson's UK, which says there are inconsistencies in how the scheme is managed across the country. The charity claims 60 percent of local authorities force people with progressive conditions to re-prove their disability, rather than offering automatic Blue Badge renewal. More than 10 percent of town halls don't recognise Blue Badges issued by other authorities, causing unnecessary bureaucracy for people moving between areas.
David Newbold, the charity's Director of Community, said: "For people living with Parkinson’s, a Blue Badge can be a lifeline. But far too many are battling an unfair system just to access and keep that support. Last year, our Parkinson’s UK Local Advisers dealt with over 2,000 Blue Badge enquiries in England alone. This is an increase of over 75 percent from 2023 to 2025. Most of these calls were people struggling to navigate the system and battling unfair rejections. The Blue Badge scheme must not be a postcode lottery. The Department for Transport must act now to ensure people can access the scheme consistently and fairly, no matter where they live."
