I have always found it strange seeing many a cars occupants using the supermarkets disabled parking put up their badge and then get out of the car and walk completely fine and unaided and then later see them walk up and down what is after all the equivalent of a aircraft hanger only to then return to their cars at the same pace lugging all their shopping. Cant see how this is possible to do unless you use a scooter or equivalent aid like myself. And if it is possible then why the need to park so near in the disabled bay? I have noticed a lot of lead swinging over the last 10yrs
How do you know perople are ‘lead swinging’?
Disabled people can obtain a blue badge nowadays for hidden ‘non-mobility related’ disabilities, for example autism and who frequently become extremely anxious or fearful of public/open spaces.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/blue-badge-can-i-get-one/can-i-get-a-blue-badge
‘Frequently’ doesn’t by definition mean every time, but ‘very often’. The anxiety or fear could occur at any time. Just observing someone walking round a large supermarket doesn’t show how anxious or fearful the person maybe.
Thus, they maybe entitled to a blue badge after assessment by their local authority, to facilitate passage between a building and their vehicle for example.
Also, such as Crohn’s disease where the person may urgently need the WC’s without any warning. The blue badge helps facilitate parking nearer to the entrance to a store (usually where the toilets are). However they may be able to walk around said supermarket, but an attack could occur at any second.
It is not a case of ‘lead-swinging’ but necessity in a lot of cases.