Ask Gary ADA

Posted By Gary Renick on January 2, 2009

I have a pet peeve and that is people who park in handicap parking illegally. My wife used to say I over reacted, but now that she drives me around in my lift van all the time she is just as vocal as I am. I no longer am able to drive, so that is why she drives me around. Even more irritating is that when caught most people have an attitude. I have even been threatened with violence. And of course the police have more important things to do besides giving tickets to people at Walmart who use the handicap spaces. It does little good to say there is a 500 dollar fine if it is not enforced. There was an idea circulating around a few years ago about letting the handicapped drivers enforce the parking law but that never went anywhere. Besides we shouldn’t have to enforce parking regulations. People just need to realize that handicapped parking is where it is for a reason. The disabled in some cases cannot walk as far as others. Power wheelchairs cannot be exposed to rain for long periods. If you are using two hands to push a manual chair you cannot hold an umbrella. I bring this up because it seems that the worst time for illegal parking seems to be when it rains. Speaking now to those who choose to park in the handicap space when it is raining, “You can run, so park out a little further and run!”. I know getting all worked up over something like handicap parking is counter productive, but it is a symptom of the bigger problem of lack of equal access for the disabled in our society. In general most people don’t care. How many times have we all gone into a public restroom to find the one handicap stall full with someone who is not disabled, while there are empty regular stalls. We all know you like the room in the handicapped stall, but stop and think of why it is so roomy. We don’t have the option of using another stall. Enough ranting for now. I hope you are enjoying the new look of my sight. Keep coming and please take advantage of our new page that allows you to post your questions on accessibility, so I can help you with your specific problems. So until next time breathe Peace and God’s Love………….

Typical ADA parking space

Categories: Government Policy, Handicap Issues, The ADA
Tags: accessibility, accessible, accessible home design, Handicap Issues, powerchair, Remodeling Ada Handicap Compliance, Simple Wheelchair Accessibility Modifications, Wheel Chair Accessible Home, Wheel Chair Accessible House, wheelchair, wheelchair accessible, Wheelchair Accessible Remodeling Ada, Wheelchair Accessible Remodeling Adaptive