Letters: It is shocking that disabled Blue Badges do not work in France
Reader says the lack of consideration sits ill with the triumph of the Paralympic Games
Confusion for UK blue badge holders still persists in certain EU countries
richardjohnson / Shutterstock
To the Editor,
I live in the UK but have had a maison secondaire in France for the past 35 years. I have recently been awarded a blue disabled badge to make parking more convenient as I have severe mobility problems.
Imagine my shock when I discovered that l cannot use the card in France. I can use it in the Netherlands and Germany when l am visiting my family, along with an appropriate translation.
I find this doubly shocking considering France has recently, very successfully, hosted the Paralympic Games. It is blatant discrimination against disabled people and contravenes everything that France and the EU stand for.
Peter Holton, Kent
Editor’s note: Since Brexit, UK blue badges are not officially valid
in France but it is often up to local councils whether they recognise them or not. Disabled parking bays in France require a carte mobilité inclusion (CMI) stationnement, only available to residents.
Are you disabled or mobility impaired? Do you feel that public consideration for this is significantly different in France than elsewhere? Let us know your experience via letters@connexionfrance.com
