Handicapped Accessible Parking Isn’t About Convenience--It’s About Necessity

Thanks for sharing, make it a great Sunday and enjoy your weekend! Bill

Bill Salvatore, Realtor- Arizona Elite Properties

Good Sunday afternoon, Debe. This is good information to share. 

Debe, I am glad you wrote this post - a lot of people are not even aware how hard it may be to move in a wheelchair, the maneuvers, getting the wheelchair off the car, getting to the ramp. 

This is a subject that drives me crazy too Debe Maxwell, CRS I have a HC permit due to my sever osteoporosis and you are right, people don't see it but my Dr wants me to take as few steps as possible to help avoid a fall. Now on the other hand it bothers me that those who have permits DON"T use them, as parking is at a premium downtown and most often the HC spots sit empty???

So appreciate your post.  It's so frustrating seeing people park where they aren't qualified to park.  I had a temporary handicapped plackared when I had extensive leg and knee surgery.  It was a blessing, but yeah, I ran into those parking there who were fully agile with no handicapped plate.  GRRRR!  And good for you for parking elsewhere to get some extra steps in to help your condition.  I get it.  Well deserved featured post!

Debe here in Middletown, CT if someone without a handicap plate or tag parks in a handicap space they get $250 fine, and it double each time after that.  Also I agree handicap plate or tags are given way to easily.

People are all about what is convenient for themselves and far too many feel they are just too good to be denied. Selfish and inconsiderate is rampant

Debe,

This can't be stressed enough. Before my mother passed, my father was her caregiver. To take her and enjoy much of anything was a challenge. I was with them when there were times someone was in the handicapped spot, and there was not an HC tag or placard on or in the vehicle. It always frustrated me as they were too lazy to walk a few extra feet, when, for my mother, it was the difference between being able to do something or having to skip it altogether because she couldn't access it.

I also know people who get it temporarily and then use it all the time, past the time they actually need it, blocking out people who truly do need it. In that case, it almost makes them worse offenders. They know the difference it made for them when they needed it, and then they use the spot and deprive someone who really does need it. 

Thanks for the post!

It makes me really mad to see people park in the handicapped spaces when they don't need them.  My parents have a handicapped pass, but will rarely use it because they feel that there are likely others who might need it more than they do.  They will use it if there are no other parking spaces available, though.

Excellent overview of what those spots are for and what the nearby striped space is for. To be blunt, some people are idiots but that doesn't entitle them to use the spot.

Debe, I know you speak from experience on this topic. And your point that not all handicap situations are visible is spot on. When I first lost my lung, my ability to walk very far was limited until I was able to build up my stamina. Many people would stare at me if I parked in the handicapped spot, even though I had a temporary tag from my doctor. Trust me, I only used it when I absolutely needed to. Thankfully, today, I don't need to use it as there are so many who need these spots on a daily basis.

Debe- I'm so glad you wrote this. I remember at one time (years ago) Houston was cracking down on those who had temporary HC permits that had expired and were still using them. And thank you for pointing out the striped area and why people need to leave it free. 

And yes about the list. Larry has one that is on the list (hydrocephalus) and we do not have or need an HC sticker. In fact, his neurosurgeon wants him to walk a minimum of 1 mile straight each day. He does that and jogs as well. 

I've seen overweight people pull up to the spot, get out for a walk. If they're there to walk, then why do they need the HC sticker. 

Debe - So many people are just plain lazy. My husband is also disabled due to his heart condition and can only walk so far. When I drive his truck with the Veteran Disabled plates, I always park in regular spaces even tho I could park in the disabled space.  Your posting is a great reminder of why respecting those disabled spaces is so important. 

Before I went on all the medicine that has helped me be able to be active again, I had ot use a handicap placard.  I didn't have enough energy to walk to the store and/or walk around the store.  I also had to use one of the motorized carts.  I was so embarrassed, but it was the only way I could shop and be able to get back to my car.  The handicap parking also helped me not waste precious energy walking to and from my car.  It was hard because from the outside, I didn't look like I needed to use a handicap parking space. I never parked in those areas before, and I definitely don't park in them now.  

Thank you for writing this post. 

Good afternoon Debe Maxwell, CRS ,

It is infuriating to me too when I see people nab a handicap parking and have no business parking there. I remember with Gene and getting his wheel chair out of the car and getting him into it..it was difficult and to see how lazy people can be is infuriating!

Some people fail to understand their part in the social contract.  Reserve the spaces for those who need them.  End of story.   And yet...

Hi Debe:

So glad you write this post that addresses such an important issue for many. Handicapped spaces are so limited and it's so frustrating, and downright annoying when people abuse them. I've had plenty of first hand experience with this these last 2 month with my wife needing a wheelchair to get around at all due to her back pain. The temporary handicapped placard has been a blessing when we are able to use it. We only use it when she is getting out of the car not just along for a ride with me on an errand, and I certainly don't use it when by myself.

Jeff 

Debe Maxwell, CRS  I know so many people who have handicapped parking that do not need them - shame on them