Friday, May 10, 2013

Moose Jaw Times-Herald: Lisa's Corner: Stop parking in disability spots without a valid permit

By Lisa Goudy


There is a reason disability parking signs exist.

Those familiar wheelchair signs exist on parking spaces or hang from vehicles’ rearview mirros for a reason. People who have a disability or need a wheelchair either can’t walk at all or have trouble walking and can’t walk very far. Parking spaces are designated closer to the front of buildings to accommodate those people.

And yet I’m amazed at how many people without a permit park in a spot for people with disabilities. To be fair, most people do not park in wheelchair spots without a permit. If only all people would follow that example.

The parking areas are created because there are limitations that accompany certain disabilities. They just can’t walk as far or at all. When people who can walk further take advantage and park in a spot designated for people who can’t, that isn’t fair to the disabled (if they remembered their permit.)

According to the Saskatchewan Abilities Council website, the parking program for people with disabilities issues permits for “designated parking spots to individuals with specific mobility challenges.”

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