Where can I get a Blue Badge?

Adult Blue Parking Badges are issued  on behalf of Staffordshire County Council by

ESBC at either of their Customer Service Centres located in the Market Place, Burton or within the library, High St, Uttoxeter..

Blue Badges

If you have a severe and permanent walking disability you can apply for a blue badge - otherwise known as disabled parking badges. They are used to help you to park closer to the places you wish to visit.

You are automatically entitled to apply for a blue badge if you:

• are registered blind;
• receive the High Rate Mobility part of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA);
• receive War Pensioners Mobility Supplement; or
• are a registered with an Institute or Home.

If the above do not apply, you can apply for a blue badge if you have a severe and permanent walking disability that means you are unable to walk far. In this case you will need to complete an application form and attend a medical assessment with your GP. The required forms will be given

To you with your application pack.

How do I get an application form?

You can collect one form the Customer Service Centres listed above, called ESBC on 01283 508000 or contact Staffordshire County Council Anglesey House, Anglesey Road, Burton, 01283 239888

With a Blue Badge you can park for:

• three hours on yellow lines, as long as the car is not blocking the road or it is not parked in a loading bay;
• three hours in a limited waiting bay;
• free on our car parks in all except the 30 minute bays;

You can not use your blue badge in:

• residential parking bays;
• kerb marked areas where a loading ban exists;
• a doctor's bay;
• a loading only bay;
• a bus stop; or
• a pedestrianised area where people walk.

Using your badge

Please make sure you display your blue badge so that the expiry date and serial number can be clearly seen by a parking attendant.

Owners of public car parks, for example supermarkets and cinemas, may choose to offer concessions to Blue Badge holders but misuse can only be dealt with by the owner of the facility.

There is a step at the main door to my shop. What do I have to do?

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 makes it unlawful to make it unreasonably difficult for a disabled person to access a service. It may not be reasonable for your business to alter the step, for example any alteration might have to be within the pavement and might not be allowed by Staffordshire Highway department or the cost of the alteration might be disproportionate to the access achieved.

To find out what can or should be done it is best to have an Access Audit assessment carried out by a properly qualified person. ESBC can offer a cost effective Access Auditing service giving practical affordable advice presented as an illustrated report that can be updated on a regular basis or a bullet point list as a record of a 'walk-round' audit carried out with you or your employee.

There are no steps to my business. Is there anything else I should be doing?

Many people fall into the trap of believing that if they have level access to their business they need make no other changes. In fact the duty under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 is to remove all barriers to access where possible. This would include lighting and colour contrast, accessible publicity materials, induction loops and accessible reception desks.

In order to find out what would make your service more accessible you are advised to commission an Access Audit. ESBC can offer a cost effective Access Auditing service giving practical affordable advice presented as an illustrated report that can be updated on a regular basis or a bullet point list as a record of a ‘walk-round' audit carried out with you or your employee.

There is no lift to the first floor of my business. Do I have to install one?

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 requires that employers and service providers take reasonable steps to avoid or overcome barriers to access. It is unlikely that it would be regarded as reasonable to require the installation of a lift but there may be many other inexpensive adaptations or alterations that may improve access for disabled customers or employees. To find out what can or should be done it is best to have an Access Audit assessment carried out by a properly qualified person. ESBC can offer a cost effective Access Auditing service giving practical affordable advice presented as an illustrated report that can be updated on a regular basis or a bullet point list as a record of a ’walk-round' audit carried out with you or your employee.

Do the Council check whether my premises are accessible?

The Council only check access to your premises at your invitation, as part of an Access Audit or for inclusion in our online access guide hosted by DisabledGo. The Council has no power to enforce recommendations or to take action against a business that it believes is discriminating against disabled people. The power to sue for discrimination lies with the disabled person who has been denied access to the service. To find out what can or should be done it is best to have an Access Audit assessment carried out by a properly qualified person. ESBC can offer a cost effective Access Auditing service giving practical affordable advice presented as an illustrated report that can be updated on a regular basis or a bullet point list as a record of a 'walk-round' audit carried out with you or your employee.

Who decides whether I am discriminating against disabled people?

The disabled person may make a complaint to you and, if you do not respond satisfactorily, may ask the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) to start the conciliation procedure. If the result is still unsatisfactory the individual (with the help of the DRC) can bring the case to a County Court. The penalties can include compensation for distress caused. To find out what you can do to make your business accessible it is best to have an Access Audit assessment carried out by a properly qualified person. A court will take into account the steps you have taken to find out how to make your business accessible and your future plans. ESBC can offer a cost effective Access Auditing service giving practical affordable advice presented as an illustrated report that can be updated on a regular basis or a bullet point list as a record of a 'walk-round' audit carried out with you or your employee.

What happens if someone complains that they cannot access my business?

The disabled person may make a complaint to you and, if you do not respond satisfactorily, may ask the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) to start the conciliation procedure. If the result is still unsatisfactory the individual (with the help of the DRC) can bring the case to a County Court. The penalties can include compensation for distress caused. To find out what you can do to make your business accessible it is best to have an Access Audit assessment carried out by a properly qualified person. A court will take into account the steps you have taken to find out how to make your business accessible and your future plans. ESBC can offer a cost effective Access Auditing service giving practical affordable advice presented as an illustrated report that can be updated on a regular basis or a bullet point list as a record of a 'walk-round' audit carried out with you or your employee.

A customer who seems to see and hear without any problem wants to bring a dog into my restaurant. The dog has a jacket that says ‘Registered Assistance Dog’. Do I have to let it in and what does it do?

Registered Assistance Dogs are trained animals that come in many shapes and sizes. They may be assisting by picking up items, 'handling' personal items, signalling health problems (such as epileptic or diabetic episodes) or may be assisting with guidance in travelling. All assistance dogs will wear a jacket with wording that will show that this is a trained animal. Even if you do not usually allow pets into your restaurant you must allow an assistance dog to accompany a disabled person.

Do I have to employ a certain number of disabled people?

No. The Employment Act 1944 required that 3% of staff should be registered as disabled. In 1996 the Disability Discrimination Act came into effect and the registration system was stopped. There is no longer any such thing as being 'registered disabled'. An employer may not discriminate on grounds of disability and should take reasonable steps to overcome any barrier to an applicant or employee.

If a disabled person applies for a job do I have to employ them?

You have to consider the applicant in the same way as you consider all other applicants and make any reasonable adjustment to negate the effects of the disability. You should ensure that you do not discriminate and especially that you do not make assumptions about an applicant's ability or disability. You may not refuse to employ a suitable qualified individual on grounds of their disability.

There is financial help available to the disabled person through the Access to Work Scheme (AtW), administered by Jobcentre Plus. As well as giving advice and information to disabled people and employers, Jobcentre Plus pays a grant, through AtW, towards any extra employment costs that result from a person’s disability. AtW can offer a grant towards the approved costs that arise because of an individual’s disability. For people who are starting a paid job with you, the grant is up to 100% of the approved costs. For those who already work for you, the grant is up to 80% of the approved costs over the first £300. The type of help that can be provided includes special aids and equipment (such as specialist desk or chair or an adapted keyboard), adaptation to premises such as changes to the toilet facilities, help with additional costs of travel to or in work for people unable to drive or use public transport, communicator support at interview (British Sign Language or Lipspeaker for an applicant who is deaf) or a support worker who might read

I am deaf and have an assistance dog. Do businesses have to let him in with me?

Yes. Businesses should let your assistance dog in with you provided that he is wearing a jacket showing clearly that the dog is trained.

On rare occasions there may be a good reason for a business to refuse the dog admittance, for example it may not be safe to take a dog without specialist training to a race track, visiting a food production area, such as a chocolate factory or other specialist areas.

The wheelchair accessible toilet is locked. Where do I get a key?

The keys are available from the Customer Service Centres or Shopmobility, Manor Croft, Burton and are free of charge for ESBC residents
Since 1977 RADAR (Royal Association for Disability And Rehabilitation) has run a scheme called The National Key Scheme (NKS) which offers independent access to disabled people to around 7,000 locked public toilets around the country. The NKS is used to reduce the risk of vandalism and misuse of accessible toilets. The system may also be used to lock gates and barriers, particularly in remote areas, to prevent misuse of pathways by motorcycles and horses.

I don't use a wheelchair. Can I still have a RADAR key?

People with chronic illnesses or disabilities that require the use of an accessible toilet may have a key. People who would be included would be, for example, those who have had a colostomy, people with continence problems, people who are blind or partially sighted, people accompanied by assistance dogs and people with diabetes.

By agreement a patient with a short term disability, such as a fractured leg, may be loaned a key. Wheelchair accessible toilets should not be used for baby-changing or feeding; there is a risk of infection, people with disabilities do not have an alternative facility to use and many people with disabilities have urgent need. Keys will not therefore be loaned or given to people without disabilities.

I want to go to a local restaurant but there is no wheelchair accessible toilet. Is this discrimination?

If toilets are provided for customers then it is expected that there should be an accessible toilet. However, the law states that the restaurant should make 'reasonable adjustments' to enable a disabled person to use the service. An existing restaurant with limited floor area and toilet facilities up or downstairs may not be able to accommodate an accessible toilet. If unsure the business would be well advised to find out what can or should be done and it is best to have an Access Audit assessment carried out by a properly qualified person. ESBC can offer a cost effective Access Auditing service giving practical affordable advice presented as an illustrated report that can be updated on a regular basis or a bullet point list as a record of a 'walk-round' audit carried out with you or your employee.

My local restaurant refuses to put on more lights even though I am registered as partially sighted. Is this discrimination?

The business should make reasonable adjustments to accommodate a customer with a disability, however, the business is not obliged to change the nature of its service to such an extent that it alters the service offered to other customers. The restaurant may be a particularly intimate venue that features low or coloured lighting. If raising the level would spoil the experience for all the other diners it might be permissible to refuse. To find out what can or should be done it is best for the restaurant to have an Access Audit assessment carried out by a properly qualified person. ESBC can offer a cost effective Access Auditing service giving practical affordable advice presented as an illustrated report that can be updated on a regular basis or a bullet point list as a record of a 'walk-round' audit carried out with the restaurant owner or manager.