Age Connects North Wales Central has raised serious concerns that the online application system for blue badges has excluded many older people from being able to apply by themselves, due to the application also requiring the use of a printer and scanner to upload documents.
Janet Finch-Saunders, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, who continues to champion older people’s rights, commented:
“This online application form has caused some older people to become dependent on their family for help and has put additional pressure on services such as libraries. With the blue badge application process needing to be renewed every three years, this places a significant strain on the applicants.
“More needs to be done to support the needs of older people and to ensure that alternative application methods remain available. It is important that everyone who applies for a blue badge is able to do so independently or receive support if needed.
“There needs to be a common-sense approach to the blue badge application process and longer-term thinking.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
Mae Age Connects Canol Gogledd Cymru wedi codi pryderon difrifol bod y system ymgeisio ar-lein am fathodynnau glas yn rhwystro llawer o bobl hŷn rhag gwneud cais ar eu pennau eu hunain, gan fod angen defnyddio argraffydd a sganiwr i lanlwytho dogfennau.
Dyma ymateb Janet Finch-Saunders, AS Aberconwy, sy'n parhau i hyrwyddo hawliau pobl hŷn:
“Mae'r ffurflen gais ar-lein hon wedi gorfodi rhai pobl hŷn i ddibynnu ar aelodau'r teulu am help ac wedi rhoi pwysau ychwanegol ar wasanaethau fel llyfrgelloedd. Gyda'r angen i adnewyddu'r cais am fathodyn glas bob tair blynedd, mae hyn yn rhoi straen sylweddol ar yr ymgeiswyr.
“Mae angen gwneud mwy i gefnogi anghenion pobl hŷn a sicrhau bod dulliau ymgeisio amgen yn dal ar gael. Mae'n bwysig bod pawb sy'n gwneud cais am fathodyn glas yn gallu gwneud hynny'n annibynnol neu dderbyn cymorth os oes angen.
“Mae angen cyflwyno synnwyr cyffredin i'r dull o wneud cais am fathodyn glas, a ffordd o feddwl mwy hirdymor.”
DIWEDD
Llun: Janet Finch-Saunders AS
