Background information

Provision of disabled persons' parking spaces

The responsibility for the provision of on-street disabled persons' parking bays (including bays outside homes) lies with local authorities. They have a wide range of powers available to them to prohibit or restrict parking either generally or at specific times of the day. They also have powers, where they considers special parking is desirable and local traffic and safety conditions permit it, to designate parking places for use by blue badge holders. A list of local authorities is available on the Directgov website and you should speak to the local Highways Department for further information: http://www.direct.gov.uk/Dl1/Directories/LocalCouncils/fs/en

General guidance on parking for disabled people (including provision in off-street car parks) is contained within our 'Parking for Di sabled Peop le' Traffic Advisory Leaflet.

See parking badges for disabled people at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/statistics/datatablespublications/public/parkingbadges/

Parking for Disabled - Traffic Advisory leaflet available at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/tpm/tal/parkingmatters/parkingfordisabledpeople

Advice on making parking accessible for disabled people

We have produced guidance outlining best practice on access to pedestrian and transport infrastructure. 'Inclusive Mobility' includes a chapter dedicated to making car parking facilities accessible.

'Inclusive Mobility' is available at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/transportforyou/access/tipws/inclusivemobility

The Disability Discrimination Act 1995

Under Part 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, service providers must take reasonable steps to ensure that disabled people do not find it impossible or unreasonably difficult to enjoy the service on the same basis as non-disabled people. This will have implications for car park operators, who may have to demonstrate that as well as marking out disabled person's parking spaces, they have taken reasonable steps to ensure they are available to disabled people.

The Disability Rights Commission has produced a Code of Practice to help service providers understand their new obligations and gives practical examples of what may be deemed "reasonable".